Monika Johnson missing near alpental....

Never met her, but from reading this thread, she sounded like a neat lady. I wish to offer my condolences to all. Always sad to hear about a fellow snow slider who is lost.

UPDATE: 2pm, Feb 5:

Thanks for the update, Amar.
It is comforting to get direct info rather that try and decipher what the media sometimes produces in their haste to break the news first.

From the Seattle Times:

Originally published Saturday, February 5, 2011 at 3:46 PM

Body of missing skier found
The body of a skier missing since Tuesday has been found in the Red Mountain area about 50 miles east of Seattle.
By Seattle Times staff

The body of a skier missing since Tuesday has been found in the Red Mountain area about 50 miles east of Seattle. The 40-year-old woman, a backcountry skier, was found about 1 p.m. Saturday by a private alpine ski rescue group, according to King County Sheriff's Sgt. John Urquhart. Search crews from three counties coordinated by King County Search and Rescue were pulled out Thursday because of high avalanche danger and have not returned, he said.

By law, the private group cannot remove the woman's body, Urquhart said. The Sheriff's Office will coordinate retrieval of the body, probably by helicopter Saturday or Sunday. It is about a four-hour hike from Snoqualmie Pass to the location where the body was ound.
Last week, friends of the woman were skiing in the same area, and recognized her pack and skis in the snow. Footsteps led to a cornice above a tall cliff; rescuers believe the cornice broke and she fell to her death.

You know when you meet someone and you can feel their true, genuine good heart? That's Monika. So humble though she's the most kick ass moutaineer & skier, kind & inspirational. My thoughts prayers go out to her family and close friends.

Thanks for the update, the family really appreciates you volunteers for putting yourself at stake to find Monika. Truly disappointing or melancholy feeling, but pleased you can bring her back to their family there are no words to describe the feelings you volunteers are experiencing to bring your friend back. I can't help but feel some anger that they do not allow you to bring her back immediatly and have to wait.
Once again Godspeed to you heroes!

About 6 years ago My friend Kurt and I ran into her while ski touring and spent the rest of the day touring with her and she always left a great impression as a really kind and humble person who was also a amazing skier...