Body Of Backcountry Skier Monty Busbee Found After Going Missing In December 2015
Snoqualmie Pass, Washington – In December, backcountry skier Monty Busbee went missing while solo backcountry skiing near Snoqualmie Pass in Washington. Despite multiple days of searching, rescuers were unable to find Busbee. The search was originally called off due to dangerous avalanche condition.
On June 4, 2016 rescuers found human remains near Kendall Peak – about 2 miles NE of Snoqualmie Pass. The King County Medical Examiner’s Office has identified those remains as 43-year-old Montague “Monty” Busbee of Maple Valley. Examiners note that he “died from compressional asphyxia — meaning something compressed his body and interfered with his ability to breathe.” (SeattleTimes.com) The death has been ruled an accident.
The area where Busbee was found was above treelike in an area that is prone to avalanches. It appears that Busbee was ascending the peak at the time as his climbing skins were still attached to his skis. While it is unofficial, it is likely that Busbee was killed in an avalanche.
Authorities estimate Busbee’s death to be December 19, 2015. On that day Busbee had parked his car at the Lower Summit West parking area with the intention to ski in Commonwealth Basin. Here is our original post from when Monty Busbee went missing.
