Authorities have revealed that one person was missing and presumed dead after a slab avalanche came down on 11 climbers on Washington's Mount Rainier.

The Seattle Times has reported that the avalanche, 100 to 200 yards wide, started at 12,500 feet about 4:45 a. m. Saturday on the east face of the mountain on Ingraham Glacier and sent snow sliding down 1,000 feet.

One climber made it out of the avalanche and walked to Camp Muir. The other nine were extricated by a rescue team of park rangers and mountain guides, said Patti Wold, spokeswoman for Mount Rainier National Park.

The Times further said that the missing climber was thought to be a European man who did not register with authorities before his solo climb.

The names of the climbers had not been released.

According to the newspaper, Helicopter rescue crews searched the mountainous area Saturday afternoon despite high winds that kept the craft 1,500 feet away from the mountain.

It was further reported by the Times that a ground search might not be resumed until Monday because of worsening weather. (With Inputs from Agencies)