In a tragic incident on January 9, two men were killed while snowmobiling in backcountry areas near Longs Pass trail in central Washington. Paul Markoff, 38, from North Bend, and Erik Henne, 43, from Snoqualmie Pass, were caught in an avalanche around 4 p.m. local time. Two other men, Ian Laing and Patrick Leslie, survived the incident and were able to send a distress call using a Garmin satellite device, crucial for communication in areas with limited cell service.
On January 10, the National Weather Service issued warnings about high snow levels and anticipated rain across the region, particularly affecting the Olympic and northern Cascade Mountains. This weather pattern raised concerns about potential flooding along the Skokomish River and increased avalanche risks in the area.
Avalanches pose a significant threat during winter months, with 25 to 30 fatalities reported annually in the United States, according to the National Avalanche Center. As of January 11, five people had already lost their lives to avalanches this winter season. This follows a total of 22 avalanche-related deaths during the previous winter.
Kittitas County Sheriff’s Office deputies, along with volunteers from the Kittitas County Search and Rescue, swiftly responded to the scene using snowmobiles and winter equipment. The survivors were rescued later that evening. Due to hazardous conditions, a nighttime recovery operation for the deceased was not feasible.
On the morning of January 10, recovery teams returned with trained avalanche search dogs but soon requested air support due to the challenging terrain. A helicopter from King County assisted in airlifting the bodies of the deceased men to a secure location. The ground team also recovered the personal belongings of the four men, including two snowmobiles.
Representatives from the Northwest Avalanche Center were on-site to help analyze the incident. While the exact cause of the avalanche remains unclear, it was reported that the four snowmobilers were caught in the upper Teanaway River drainage area of the East Central zone.
As the region braces for more winter weather, officials remind outdoor enthusiasts to exercise caution and stay informed about avalanche risks in backcountry areas.
