Avalanche apparently buried Washington skier

February 3, 2011 at 12:18p.m.

SNOQUALMIE PASS, Wash. (AP) — A missing back-country skier was apparently killed by an avalanche in Washington state’s Red Mountain area about 50 miles east of Seattle.

King County sheriff’s Sgt. Peter Linde told KIRO-TV on Thursday that searchers believe she is under snow. He says recovering the body will be difficult because of the location near Snoqualmie Pass in the Cascades.

The 41-year-old Seattle woman went skiing alone on Wednesday. Another skier found her backpack and glove, and her car was left in a ski parking area near Interstate 90.

Authorities say they’re concerned about more avalanches because of warm temperatures.