Snowmobiler Killed in Avalanche in Washington on Saturday

45-year-old Mike Albertson from Kirkland, WA was caught, buried, and killed in an avalanche while snowmobiling near Hawkins Mountain, 27 miles northwest of Cle Elum, WA on Saturday, March 4th, 2017.

Mike and his friend were both caught in the avalanche.  Mike was fully buried and his friend was partially buried (mouth not buried).

Other people in the area were able to respond quickly and dig out the partially buried friend.  They were able to locate Mike after about 30 minutes who had:

“struck a tree and was completely buried” – Seattle Times

The sheriff’s department reports that CPR was performed but did not revive Mike.

The NWAC reported the avalanche danger as Moderate at the time of the accident on Saturday.

Mike’s body was recovered on Sunday.

This was the 10th avalanche death in the USA this season.

“PRELIMINARY: Two snowmobilers were caught in a large avalanche. One was partially buried, with his head and arm above the debris. He was rescued quickly. The other rider was fully buried and did not survive.

This accident was the only fatality out of numerous avalanche involvements the NWAC documented on 3/4.” – CAIC