Overview
- Authorities identified the deceased as Paul Markoff, 38, and Erik Henne, 43, after the Friday slide in northern Kittitas County.
- Ian Laing and Patrick Leslie survived by sending a Garmin satellite distress signal that guided rescuers to the remote site.
- Responders reached the area by snowmobile and evacuated the survivors that evening, then paused recovery overnight due to hazardous conditions.
- Teams returned the next morning with three avalanche-search K9s and a King County helicopter, which airlifted the victims to the coroner.
- The Northwest Avalanche Center is analyzing the incident and has not determined a trigger, as the Cascades contend with recent heavy snowfall.