Skier killed as avalanche buries 6 in Washington Cascades
The avalanche occurred just before 11 a.m. in the Silver Basin area at Crystal Mountain, according to the Pierce County Sheriff's Department.
Crystal Mountain Ski Resort
(Crystal Mountain Ski Resort)
ENUMCLAW, Wash. -- A skier was killed, and five others survived after being buried by an avalanche in the Cascades backcountry area on Saturday morning.
According to the Pierce County Sheriff's Department, the avalanche occurred just before 11 a.m. in the Silver Basin area at Crystal Mountain.
"Thankfully, all of the skiers were wearing avalanche beacons and were quickly located," officials said.
Five skiers could get out of the snow, but the sixth one was pulled out unconscious and not breathing. Officials said that the rescue rescuers attempted CPR, but the skier died at the scene.
The victim's name has not been released.
Earlier Saturday morning, the mountain resort confirmed 100 mph winds at the summit—hurricane-status winds that forced them to close the Mt. Rainier gondola, according to FOX 13 Seattle. Heavy snows of around a foot deep had fallen in the area the night before from a significant winter storm.
The nearby Crystal Mountain ski resort maintained normal operations since the avalanche occurred in the back country.