Granite burial today?

I heard there was a burial today and saw the chopper on the way home, any news?

Driving back home from snoqualmie pass late this afternoon we saw a very wide crown on granite... looked like maybe half the width of the entire south face. No other info.

www.kirotv.com/news/news/possible-victim...ain-avalanche/nfJwJ/

From NWAC forecast:

Preliminary Granite Mountain Accident Information as of early Sunday morning: Around 4:45 PM on Saturday afternoon 2 skiers and a dog descending the looker's left (or skier's right) avalanche path on the south side of Granite Mt (visible from I-90) triggered an initially small slab avalanche (estimated 6" crown) that stepped down to possibly 2-3 feet. The skiers were in the heart of the avalanche path on a steep (40+ degrees) slope, although the exact elevation is not known yet. This slab became large and destructive and ran down to 2500' where there is little snow cover. Initial estimates are at least D3/R3. One person was in a safe zone and not affected. The skier who triggered and was caught in the slide is still missing with ongoing search and rescue efforts expected Sunday. Another party of two nearby was not caught and aided in the preliminary search efforts.

Minor changes have been made to the avalanche forecast for Sunday but the danger rating remains the same. Moderate avalanche danger means heightened avalanche conditions on specific terrain features and that human triggered avalanches are possible while natural avalanches are unlikely. Please use caution when dealing with wet snow concerns in the afternoon during peak daytime heating in the spring.

More info will be relayed when it becomes available.

I rode up with a ski patrol at Alp this afternoon that provided the following information:
4 pro patrol from Alpental searched for the victim. He was buried 20' deep. Witness reported a 30' high wall of snow. This is basically 3rd hand information. One of the witnesses may have been a NWAC observer, ascending by the ridge route as opposed to the avalanche chute which is the route the victim was ascending. RIP.

Very sad event. Condolences to the family and friends of the victim.

I was impressed by the special NWAC bulletin this morning. The forecaster clearly recognized this as a "teachable moment."

Minor changes have been made to the avalanche forecast for Sunday but the danger rating remains the same.  Moderate avalanche danger means heightened avalanche conditions on specific terrain features and that human triggered avalanches are possible while natural avalanches are unlikely.  Please use caution when dealing with wet snow concerns in the afternoon during peak daytime heating in the spring. 

In other words, this is what moderate avalanche hazard means!

We tend to think that moderate hazard is just a green light. It's not. You still have to watch out in certain places.

My first avalanche instructor, Ray Smutek, said to his students, "Moderate avalanche hazard can make you moderately dead."

I still remember that.