Authorities in Washington state revealed on Saturday that an avalanche tragically claimed the lives of two men last week while they were out snowmobiling with a group of four.
The Kittitas County Sheriff’s Office stated the avalanche occurred on Friday afternoon in a secluded location near Longs Pass, a favored hiking destination within the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest.
“At approximately 4:00 p.m. on Friday, January 9, four men engaging in backcountry snow activities near Longs Pass in northern Kittitas County were caught in an avalanche,” the office announced.
The victims have been identified as Paul Markoff, aged 38, from North Bend, and Erik Henne, aged 43, from Snoqualmie Pass. Kittitas County officials informed Fox News Digital that one victim was partially buried by the snow, prompting a rescue attempt by his companions. The second victim was discovered buried around four feet deep by a K9 unit, according to the office.
Search and rescue operations were underway at the scene of the avalanche that impacted four individuals on January 9, 2025, within Washington state’s Okanogan-Wenatchee National Park. (Kittitas County Sheriff’s Office)
Two survivors, Ian Laing and Patrick Leslie, managed to alert authorities by sending a distress signal through a Garmin satellite device, prompting deputies and search-and-rescue teams to rush to the location, officials confirmed.
The Northwest Avalanche Center, which arrived on the scene to help assess the accident, said one of the survivors was injured after being partially buried by the avalanche. The sheriff’s office told Fox News Digital that he suffered a knee injury, but characterized it as non-debilitating.
The other man was not buried by the avalanche, according to the Northwest Avalanche Center.
A K9 unit found a body buried four feet deep in snow at the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Park in Washington state on Jan. 9, 2025, after an avalanche struck a group of people. (Kittitas County Sheriff’s Offi)
Responding crews reached the remote area using snowmobiles and carrying specialized equipment, according to the officials. The survivors were reportedly transported that evening.
Officials added that, after rescuing the survivors, conditions became too hazardous for crews to recover the deceased at night.
The following morning, personnel returned to the site with air support and three K9 units trained in avalanche search to help navigate the rough terrain.
A K9 unit searches for bodies in the snow after an avalanche struck four people on Jan. 9, 2025, at the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Park in Washington state. (Kittitas County Sheriff’s Offi)
Both men were then airlifted to a search base and placed in the care of the Kittitas County Coroner’s Office, officials said.
The men’s personal belongings, including their two snowmobiles, were also recovered, according to the sheriff’s office.
“The Sheriff’s Office and KCSR (Kittitas County Search & Rescue) extend condolences to the families and friends of those lost,” officials said.
