Avalanche kills snowmobiler, injures another near Harts Pass

An avalanche near Harts Pass in the North Cascades National Park resulted in the death of one snowmobiler and left another injured on Friday. The incident involved three riders who triggered a large slab avalanche, with one fully buried and killed, while another was partially buried and sustained injuries. The Northwest Avalanche Center (NWAC) is investigating the incident and expressed condolences to the victims' families. The avalanche danger in the area was rated as 'moderate,' but conditions were described as 'complex,' prompting caution for backcountry users. Following the incident, forecasts indicated an increase in avalanche danger to 'considerable' at certain elevations. This tragic event highlights the risks associated with snowmobiling in avalanche-prone regions.