Seattle tech entrepreneur Doug Walker, 64, was found dead on Friday at Washington's Granite Mountain after his friends reported him missing during a hiking incident, New York Daily News reports.
Known to be an avid hiker and the president of The American Alpine Club, friends and family were deeply saddened when his body was found at around 10:30 a.m. on Jan. 1 in a trail that he had traveled many times before.
Experts say that the entrepreneur could have been a victim of an avalanche. "He was found in ... a debris field, which would be consistent with an avalanche having occurred, so that's one possible scenario of what happened," said Sgt. Cindi West, according to CNN.
"Seattle has lost one of its most passionate and inspirational civic leaders in business, philanthropy and conservation. Doug's seemingly endless amount of energy and dedication to our region was infectious and inspired everyone around him to engage and help make a difference," said Sen. Patty Murray in her statement of remembrance, according to AP.
Walker was one of the founders of Walker, Richer and Quinn - a successful software company in Seattle founded in 1981 - and he also co-founded Social Venture Partners, a Telecommunications service provider.