Six backcountry skiers were rescued near Lake Tahoe after surviving an avalanche, but nine others from their group were still missing. The rescue operation took place during a snowstorm, with crews facing challenging conditions in the mountainous wilderness.
Two of the rescued skiers required hospital treatment, according to Ashley Quadros, a spokesperson for the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office.
The initial count of skiers on the trip was corrected to 15, not 16 as previously reported by the sheriff’s office.
Search and rescue teams responded to a 911 call reporting the avalanche near Frog Lake in the Castle Peak area. The incident occurred during a powerful winter storm moving through California.
Extreme weather conditions in the Northern California mountains slowed down the rescue efforts, with crews taking several hours to reach the trapped skiers and bring them to safety for evaluation.
A news conference was scheduled by the sheriff’s office for Wednesday morning to provide an update on the ongoing rescue mission.
Brooke Hess-Homeier via AP
Details of the Ski Trip
The skiers were part of a three-day backcountry skiing expedition that involved navigating rugged terrain in the Tahoe National Forest. The group spent two nights at huts and had to carry all their supplies for the trip.
Authorities were alerted to the avalanche by the ski tour company and emergency beacons carried by the skiers. Rescuers approached the avalanche site cautiously due to the risk of additional avalanches.
Blackbird Mountain Guides, the tour company, stated on their website that they were working with authorities on the rescue operation.
Challenging Conditions in the Backcountry
California was experiencing severe weather conditions, including thunderstorms, high winds, and heavy snow, making backcountry skiing particularly dangerous.
The Sierra Avalanche Center issued an avalanche warning for the Central Sierra Nevada region, including Greater Lake Tahoe, with large slides expected during the storm.
The town of Soda Springs received significant snowfall, leading to hazardous conditions in the mountains due to fragile snowpack layers and strong winds.
The storm also caused disruptions on roads in the Sierra Nevada and Sonoma County, with temporary closures due to accidents and hazardous driving conditions.
While some Tahoe ski resorts were closed, backcountry skiing posed a higher risk due to avalanche-prone terrain and rapidly changing weather conditions.
History of the Area
Castle Peak, a renowned backcountry skiing spot, has a dark past linked to the Donner Party tragedy of 1846-1847. The region is known for its challenging snow conditions and has seen previous avalanche incidents.
A recent avalanche in the area claimed the life of a snowmobiler, highlighting the dangers of venturing into the backcountry during winter. Proper training and safety equipment are essential for off-piste skiing to mitigate risks.
Reporting by: San Diego. Contribution by: Audrey McAvoy in Honolulu.
