Avalanche Kills Two In Washington

The Northwest Avalanche Center (NWAC) confirmed that four backcountry skiers were caught in an avalanche on Friday, January 9, 2026. Two of the skiers were killed.

"We are saddened to report that four backcountry tourers were caught and carried in an avalanche near Longs Pass in the upper Teanaway River drainage of the East Central zone. One tourer was not buried, one was partially buried and injured, one was fully buried and killed, and one was fully buried and is presumed dead."

Survivors Ian Laing and Patrick Leslie made a distress call using a Garmin satellite device. They were rescued that evening.

Kittitas County Sheriff’s Office and Search and Rescue personnel recovered the bodies of the deceased the following day, January 10, using avalanche rescue dogs, snowmobile teams, and eventually a helicopter.

The party was using snowmobiles to recreate, according to the Kittitas County Sheriff's Office. It is unclear whether the party members were carrying avalanche safety gear.

The victims of the avalanche have been identified as Paul Markoff, 38, of North Bend, and Erik Henne, 43, of Snoqualmie Pass. They are the fourth and fifth people to be killed by avalanches in the United States during the winter 25/26 season, according to avalanche.org.