The mountains of Washington state claimed two lives last week, a stark reminder of the raw power and unforgiving nature of the backcountry. An avalanche struck a group of four snowmobilers on Friday afternoon, plunging them into a desperate fight for survival in a remote, snow-covered landscape near Longs Pass.
The incident unfolded around 4:00 p.m. in the northern Kittitas County mountains, a region known for its breathtaking beauty and hidden dangers within the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. Four men, seeking adventure in the pristine wilderness, were suddenly caught in a cascading wall of snow.
Paul Markoff, 38, of North Bend, and Erik Henne, 43, of Snoqualmie Pass, were identified as the men who perished. The avalanche buried them deep beneath the surface, initiating a frantic rescue operation that would test the limits of both human endurance and specialized equipment.
Two of the snowmobilers, Ian Laing and Patrick Leslie, managed to activate a distress signal using a Garmin satellite device, a lifeline thrown into the vast, isolated terrain. Their quick thinking alerted authorities to the unfolding tragedy and initiated a swift response.
Kittitas County deputies and search-and-rescue teams mobilized, navigating treacherous conditions on snowmobiles to reach the remote location. One of the survivors had been partially buried, desperately attempting to dig out his companion before help arrived.
The Northwest Avalanche Center joined the effort, assessing the stability of the surrounding slopes and providing crucial expertise. They confirmed one survivor sustained a knee injury, though thankfully not life-threatening, while the other escaped burial.
Nightfall brought a halt to the recovery of the deceased, as conditions deteriorated and the risk to rescue crews became too great. The agonizing wait continued until morning, when a renewed search commenced with the aid of air support and three highly trained avalanche search K9 units.
The following day, the bodies of Markoff and Henne were located and airlifted from the unforgiving terrain, finally reaching the care of the Kittitas County Coroner’s Office. Their snowmobiles and personal belongings were also recovered from the avalanche debris.
The Kittitas County Sheriff’s Office and Search & Rescue extended their deepest sympathies to the families and friends of the two men lost, a somber acknowledgment of the inherent risks associated with venturing into the backcountry. This tragedy serves as a poignant reminder of the respect and preparation required when exploring the wild, winter landscapes.
