Tragic avalanche news

Bad news from Snoqualmie backcountry: Three hikers were caught, possibly Saturday, in an avalanche in the Alpental backcountry, somewhere in or on the Snow Lake divide. Early King 5 TV news reports this evening are sketchy, however two people were reported killed; the third managed to recover his pack, erect his tent, and crawl into it with a broken leg. Sunday afternoon, a friend or relative who knew they were overdue, drove to the Alpental, found their car in the parking lot and rose the alarm. Searchers were unable to enter the area until this morning, when they discovered the survivor and found the deceased. A third group of 3 or 4 hikers were overdue in the Denny Creek area, but were able to make their way out unharmed.
And further grim news from the Crystal backcountry: King 5 also reported a search underway in the Crystal backcountry for three missing snowboarders, possibly missing since Friday! That was the extent of information reported.
It seems hard to believe people were venturing out in the face of the incoming weather, let alone into potential avalanche areas with an existing and forecast high hazard. Is it possible we can ever make enough people aware of the danger to prevent such senseless losses?

Thanks for the update Gerry, I heard the story and was searching for additional news.

I heard about these earlier today. Tragic news. I pray that the Crystal folks are ok.

More here:

seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/342233_avalanche05.html

I'm amazed that rescuers were willing to get into the Denny Creek valley to search on Monday morning (and even more amazed that everyone was ok in there).

My condolences to all those touched by the tragedy.

Edit: They've updated the story linked above - search at Crystal's unsurprisingly delayed by darkness.

Edit: King5 here: www.king5.com/topstories/stories/NW_1204...ers_KS.69838dd5.html

KOMO:
Crystal: www.komotv.com/news/12136531.html
Snoqualmie: www.komotv.com/news/12126556.html

News Tribune (extra Crystal coverage not covered above - apparently they were carrying multi-day gear , some Snoqualmie):
www.thenewstribune.com/news/updates/story/220929.html

Three hikers were caught, possibly  Saturday, in an avalanche in the Alpental backcountry, somewhere in or on the Snow Lake divide.

It seems hard to believe people were venturing out in the face of the incoming weather, let alone into potential avalanche areas with an existing and forecast high hazard.  Is it possible we can ever make enough people aware of the danger to prevent such senseless losses?

If the avalanche happened on Saturday it doesn't seem as senseless as I first thought. Seems there was a reasonable weather window into Sat afternoon. Terrain in that area, along with a considerable avalanche hazard was probably a bigger issue than weather.

Paul Baugher and a partner were also caught in an avalanche in Crystal's bc Sunday.
www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/story/221165.html