A backcountry skier who went missing on Snoqualmie Pass Wednesday, Feb. 2, may have been killed when the cornice she was standing on collapsed, according to the King County Sheriff’s Office.

“She fell with the snow and was likely buried,” Sheriff’s Spokesman Sgt. John Urquhart told the Record by e-mail.

Search parties spent Wednesday afternoon and early evening combing the Pass after the Seattle woman, who was apparently skiing alone, disappeared in the area of Red Mountain near Alpental.

Another skier found her backpack and a glove early Wednesday afternoon and notified the sheriff’s office. From identifying materials found in the backpack, deputies learned the woman had been expected to come to work that day in Seattle, but did not. Her car was found in a ski area parking lot adjacent to I-90.

Searchers in the sheriff’s Guardian One helicopter saw ski gear and what appeared to be fresh snow slide activity off the back side of Red Mountain.

Officers suspended search efforts when darkness fell Wednesday. The area was described as extremely treacherous and difficult to reach.