Update: Family Says Doctor Killed on Baker Did Not Ski Off Cliff

UPDATE, June 19, 1:30 p.m.: A source close to the family of Dr. Keith Hardy, killed in a skiing accident on Mount Baker Friday, tells Patch the family would like to clarify the circumstances of the incident.

Hardy, a physician at Kirkland's Evergreen Sport and and Spine Center, fell off the Coleman Glacier Headwall while skiing down after climbing to the summit of 10,781-foot Baker. Some media reports have said that he skied off the headwall, but according to the family, members of the party say he had fallen while skiing above the headwall and could not arrest his slide.

Hardy was an experienced climber and skier who took the necessary safety precautions in his outdoors adventures, the family says.

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Original story: The victim of a fatal skiing accident on Mount Baker Friday has been identified as Dr. Keith Hardy, a Kirkland physician who practiced at .

Hardy, 34, had reportedly just climbed to the top of 10,781-foot Mount Baker and was skiing down the mountain when he accidentally went off a cliff at the 9,000 foot level, according to a report on KOMO television.

Hardy was an avid skier and outdoorsman who also practiced at Northwest Spine and Sports Physicians in Bellevue. His bio there indicated he served as team physician for the University of Washington lacrosse team and the Sammamish High School football team.

KOMO quoted a statement released by the Hardy family:

"We are deeply grieved by our loss. Keith was a wonderful husband, father, physician, and friend. He lived his life with purpose and passion. We know all those whose lives he touched will miss him dearly."

Search and Rescue teams have been turned back by weather in attempting to recover Hardy’s body and are waiting for conditions to improve.

For the KOMO story, click here.