Six backcountry skiers trapped in a devastating avalanche near Lake Tahoe have been successfully rescued, while nine others are still missing, according to authorities on Tuesday.
The rescue operation faced challenges due to harsh winter storm conditions that hit Castle Peak near Truckee around 11:30 a.m., as reported by a spokesperson from the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office.
Out of the six skiers rescued, two have been taken to the hospital for treatment.
As the search for the missing skiers continues, it was revealed that a total of 15 individuals, including 11 skiers and 4 guides, were affected by the avalanche, with nine still unaccounted for.
The avalanche occurred on the final day of a three-day trip when the group, led by Blackbird Mountain Guides, was making their way back to the trailhead.
Blackbird Mountain Guides stated that they are cooperating with authorities to support the ongoing rescue operation and are in contact with the emergency contacts of the affected clients and guides.
The skiers disappeared in whiteout conditions, with adverse warnings from forecasters about the dangerous situation in the backcountry.
California has been experiencing heavy snowfall in the mountains, thunderstorms, and strong winds, with significant snow accumulation in the Sierra Nevada mountains where the skiers went missing.
As snowfall intensified in the Sierra Nevada mountains, avalanche forecaster Brandon Schwartz warned about the heightened risk in the backcountry due to accumulating snow on fragile layers and strong winds.
The six rescued skiers were instructed to shelter in place until rescue crews could reach them after authorities received alerts from the emergency beacons carried by the skiers.
Nevada County Sheriff Russell Greene mentioned the challenges of the rescue operation and the various methods being used to reach the stranded skiers.
Due to the risk of triggering more avalanches, authorities cautioned that the rescue process would be slow and meticulous.
Castle Peak, located in the Donner Summit area of Sierra Nevada, holds a historical significance with the infamous events of the Donner Party during the winter of 1846-47.
With Post wires
