Avalanche Near Lake Tahoe Buries Skiers
An avalanche just north of Lake Tahoe is believed to have trapped up to ten backcountry skiers, triggering a large-scale search operation.
This incident took place around 11:30 a.m. on Castle Peak near Truckee as a winter storm continues to batter the region. The Nevada County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that a group of skiers was involved, with several members currently unaccounted for.
Tragically, 16 individuals—12 skiers and four guides—lost their lives in the avalanche. Fortunately, six skiers survived, but ten are still missing, over five hours after the avalanche struck.
The avalanche occurred at approximately 8,200 feet in elevation near Frog Lake.
According to the Sierra Avalanche Center, avalanches are ranked on a destruction scale from 1 to 5, with this one rated at 2.5. Avalanches of this magnitude can injure or even kill people and typically extend for the length of a football field, accumulating over two yards in height.
Before the avalanche, the group had been staying at the Frog Lake Backcountry Huts, where skiers often lodge during their mountain adventures. These huts offer various sleeping arrangements but come with warnings regarding safety.
Raynaud from the Sierra Avalanche Center mentioned that the skiers had arrived on Sunday for a three-day, two-night excursion. They were initially scheduled to leave Tuesday morning when the avalanche occurred.
Following this alarming incident, a comprehensive search operation was quickly initiated, involving 46 first responders from the Sheriff’s Office and Nevada County Search and Rescue among others.
Rescue teams employed snowmobiles and skis to assist the six survivors, advising them to remain in place until help arrived.
Details about the missing skiers are still being determined, and, unfortunately, an avalanche warning is currently active in the area until Wednesday.
The Sierra Avalanche Center had previously issued a warning effective from 5 a.m. on February 17, stating the avalanche danger in remote regions is extremely high.
Expectations for significant avalanches in backcountry areas extend through Wednesday morning, and high avalanche danger is anticipated to continue throughout that day.
