Alpental claims its first of the year......

Skier Killed By Small Avalanche At Alpental<br><br>January 12, 2005<br><br>By KOMO Staff & News Services<br><br><br><br><br>SNOQUALMIE PASS - A skier died after getting caught in a small avalanche Wednesday.<br><br>The man was rescued from Alpental and airlifted to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle. He died at the hospital from his injuries. His name has not been released yet.<br><br>Two skiers were in a closed area when the avalanche struck around 12:30 p.m.<br><br>The one skier who died was badly injured at the scene. The other man was able to walk away, but was taken to Harborview as a precaution.<br><br>Both men were wearing avalanche beacons, which helped rescuers find them.<br><br>The area is under a winter storm warning through Wednesday evening, with the National Weather Service predicting up to a foot or more of snow, particularly between Stevens and Snoqualmie passes.<br><br>Alpental is part of The Summit at Snoqualmie, which includes four ski areas east of Seattle.

That's awful, awful news. My sympathies for his friends and family.