KITTITAS COUNTY, Wash. — An avalanche near Longs Pass in northern Kittitas County resulted in the deaths of two men on Friday, January 9, according to a media release. Paul Markoff, 38, from North Bend and Erik Henne, 43, from Snoqualmie Pass lost their lives during a backcountry snow recreation trip.
Two survivors, Ian Laing and Patrick Leslie, managed to send a distress call using a Garmin satellite device. Responders from the Kittitas County Sheriff’s Office and Kittitas County Search and Rescue (KCSR) quickly mobilized.
Using snowmobiles and winter backcountry equipment, the responders reached the remote area and transported the survivors out that evening. Due to hazardous conditions, the recovery of the deceased was postponed until the next morning.
On Saturday, January 10, recovery teams returned with three trained avalanche search dogs. King County’s Guardian 2 helicopter assisted in airlifting the deceased men to a search base, where they were placed in the care of the Kittitas County Coroner’s Office.
The ground team also recovered the men’s personal effects, including two snowmobiles. Representatives from the Northwest Avalanche Center were present to help analyze the accident.
The Sheriff’s Office and KCSR extended their condolences to the families and friends of the victims.
