Nine backcountry skiers remain missing following an avalanche in California’s Lake Tahoe region Tuesday, while six others have been rescued after becoming stranded, according to the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office.
The avalanche was reported around 11:30 a.m. PST in the Castle Peak area near Truckee. Weather conditions remain dangerous with a high chance of further avalanches. Highly skilled rescue ski teams deployed from two nearby ski resorts. The six survivors were directed to shelter in place as best they can in the conditions.
Officials initially reported 16 people were involved, four guides and 12 clients, though that number was later lowered to 15. The six rescued skiers were successfully brought to safety Tuesday evening, with two taken to hospital. Experts from Boreal Mountain Ski Resort and the Alder Creek Adventure Center are attempting to reach the site. Forty-six emergency responders have joined the rescue efforts.
The Sierra Avalanche Center listed the danger rating as high, a four out of five on the rating scale. “Travel in, near, or below avalanche terrain is not recommended today. A widespread natural avalanche cycle is expected over the next 24 hours,” the center said. The avalanche that trapped the skiers was rated as a D2.5 on a scale of D1 to D5. D2 avalanches can injure, bury, or kill people.
Sierra Avalanche Center Forecaster Steve Reynaud told ABC News 10 the skiers were on the last day of a three-day backcountry skiing trip that involved navigating rugged mountainous terrain for four miles while carrying food and supplies. Capt. Russell Greene of the sheriff’s office told KCRA-TV it would be a slow, tedious process to find the missing skiers because of high avalanche danger posing a risk to rescuers. He said those alive were sheltering under tarpaulin sheets doing the best they can to survive.
California Governor Gavin Newsom’s office said state authorities were coordinating an all-hands search-and-rescue effort with local emergency teams. Boreal Mountain Ski Resort, near where the accident occurred, reported 30 inches of snowfall in the past 24 hours and closed Tuesday because of high winds and low visibility. The storm has also closed several highways, including Interstate 80 and Highway 50.
