Cle Elum, Washington – A deadly avalanche swept through a popular backcountry area near Longs Pass on Friday, killing one person and leaving another missing as search crews continue operations in the Teanaway region of central Washington.
According to the Northwest Avalanche Center, four backcountry tourers were caught and carried in an avalanche Friday in the upper Teanaway River drainage of the East Central zone. One person was not buried, one was partially buried and injured, one was fully buried and killed, and a fourth tourer remains missing and is presumed dead.
The avalanche occurred near Longs Pass, a high-elevation area southwest of Cle Elum frequently used for winter recreation. Kittitas County Sheriff’s Office and search and rescue teams responded quickly and remain on scene, working alongside NWAC forecasters to locate the missing individual and conduct an accident investigation.
Officials have not released details on avalanche size, slope angle, or snowpack conditions, but the incident comes amid an active winter pattern that has increased instability in the Cascades. Authorities urge backcountry users to carefully assess conditions and avoid avalanche-prone terrain.
Search efforts are ongoing, and officials say updates will be provided as more information becomes available. The Northwest Avalanche Center expressed condolences to the families, friends, and community impacted by the tragedy, calling it a sobering reminder of the dangers present in the backcountry even for experienced travelers.
