An avalanche swept away a group of four guides and 11 clients in a wilderness area near Lake Tahoe on the California-Nevada border yesterday. Rescuers, struggling in full storm conditions, have so far been unable to find nine of them.
Six others were rescued, including two who were admitted to the hospital yesterday evening.
Three-day ski tour
The accident took place near Castle Peak, northwest of Lake Tahoe, at 11:30 am local time on Tuesday. The guided group was nearing the end of a three-day ski tour in the area. The group, managed by Blackbird Mountain Guides, had been staying at the nearby Frog Lake huts since February 15. They were returning to the trailhead when the avalanche struck, the company reported.
Castle Peak area. Map by Donner Summit Association
Rescue efforts
The six survivors of the slide called for help. Rescuers immediately left from the Boreal Mountain Ski Resort and Tahoe Donner’s Alder Creek Adventure Center, supported by a snowcat. The team had to deal with heavy snowfall, strong winds, and a high risk of additional avalanches.
Due to extreme weather, rescuers took several hours to reach the skiers and transport them to safety. “Two of the six skiers have been transported to a hospital for treatment,” the Nevada County Sheriff’s office reported at 10:40 pm. “The search is ongoing, pending weather conditions.”
Castle Peak from the south. Photo: Wikipedia
Blackbird Mountain Guides explained in a press release that search-and-rescue coordination will be handled by the Sheriff’s office. The company is supporting the operation and is in constant contact with the families of the injured and missing skiers.
Blizzard conditions
About one meter of fresh snow has fallen in the Lake Tahoe area in the last 24 hours. High winds from the Pacific are expected to hit the area for another 48 hours. Despite the heinous conditions, nearly 50 first responders are continuing the rescue efforts.
According to the latest update from the Sierra Avalanche Center, the risk of further slides remains very high (4 to 5), and large avalanches were expected until this morning, including below the tree line. The risk is expected to decrease slightly today. The next update will be issued today at 7 am local time. (Check it here.)
Avalanche conditions in the Central Sierra as of yesterday evening.
