Avalanche Near Lake Tahoe; Skiers Missing
An avalanche near Lake Tahoe has left ten backcountry skiers missing, with six having been rescued so far. Search and rescue operations are underway but are being hampered by challenging weather conditions. Authorities had previously issued warnings advising extreme caution in the area, which is known for its difficult terrain.
- The group of skiers was on a three-day guided backcountry trip with Blackbird Mountain Guides and were returning from the Frog Lake huts when the avalanche struck near Castle Peak. - The Sierra Avalanche Center had issued a "High" avalanche danger warning for the region on the day of the incident, advising against travel in or near avalanche terrain. A significant storm had brought heavy snowfall and intense winds to the area, with forecasts predicting up to eight feet of snow on the western slope of the Sierra Nevada. - The search and rescue operation involves 46 first responders and has been severely hampered by blizzard conditions, including whiteout visibility and the ongoing risk of further avalanches. Major roadways in the area, including Interstate 80, were also closed, further complicating access for rescue teams. - The missing skiers are part of a group of 15 people, which included four guides and 11 clients. Two of the six skiers who were rescued were transported to a hospital for treatment. - The survivors were able to create a makeshift shelter with a tarp and communicated with rescuers using emergency beacons that could send text messages. - This incident has the potential to be one of the deadliest avalanches in California's recent history. A notable past event in the region was the 1982 Alpine Meadows avalanche, which resulted in seven fatalities. - The practice of "storm skiing," or venturing into the mountains during an active winter storm to ski fresh powder, has been highlighted in relation to this event, as it carries an elevated risk of encountering unstable snow conditions. - Just weeks before this incident, a snowmobiler was killed in a separate avalanche in the Castle Peak area.
