Kirkland Man Dies In Avalanche Near Cle Elum

CLE ELUM, WA - The Kittitas County Sheriff's office has identified the 45-year-old Kirkland man who died in an avalanche on Saturday while snowmobiling in the Cascades.

Mike Albertson was recovered on Sunday by Kittitas County deputies. He had been snowmobiling on Saturday with another man in the area of Hawkins Mountain, about 27 miles north of Cle Elum and due east from Snoqualmie Pass.

The men had been snowmobiling in a bowl area of the mountain when the avalanche happened. The other person involved was found quickly by rescue personnel because his arm and head were visible. Albertson was buried under the snow and had hit a tree.

Weather prevented Kittitas deputies from reaching Albertson sooner, the department said.

According to the Northwest Avalanche Center, avalanche danger is "considerable" on the east side of the Cascades where Albertson was snowmobiling. Avalanche danger is "moderate" on the west side of the Cascades.

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