The tour guide company that organized a ski trip for a large group caught in an avalanche near Lake Tahoe has finally spoken out.
A terrifying landslide struck the group of backcountry skiers on Tuesday morning, with sixteen individuals believed to be involved. Thankfully, six people have been confirmed as survivors, but ten others are still unaccounted for.
In response, mountain rescue teams have initiated an extensive operation to find the missing skiers and snowmobilers, although they’re facing severe challenges with the area being completely isolated due to the weather conditions.
Blackbird Mountain Guides, which organized the outing, revealed that twelve clients and four guides were at the Frog Lake hut in the Castle Peak region.
The incident unfolded while the skiers were returning to the trailhead after a three-day trek.
In their statement, Blackbird Mountain Guides acknowledged the serious situation: “We are currently addressing a major backcountry incident following an avalanche that occurred this morning, February 17th, near Frog Lake Hut.”
They confirmed that the group had been staying at the Frog Lake cabin since February 15th, and the avalanche struck as they were making their way back.
The leadership team at Blackbird is collaborating closely with the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office and Search and Rescue teams to support ongoing rescue operations.
They are also maintaining contact with affected clients and their emergency contacts, providing updates as accurate information becomes available.
The avalanche was reported around 11:30 a.m. at Castle Peak, right as a winter storm swept through the area.
While six of the skiers survived the avalanche, they have been advised to stay in the hut as rescuers worked on site.
The incident raised eyebrows, as many questioned why the group was allowed in the area given the known severe weather conditions leading up to the event.
Kurt Gensheimer, who was at Frog Lake prior to the storm, indicated that discussions around the incident suggested it might have been “preventable.”
“I was there from Thursday to Sunday, but I left before the front hit,” he shared, calling it an “absolutely avoidable tragedy.”
Comments on social media reflected similar sentiments. Don Coelho expressed concern about the decision-making for the outing, hoping survivors would learn important lessons. Ken Buck criticized the guides, urging for safe outcomes, while Heather Sears questioned the judgment of the guides in light of weather warnings.
The group was staying at the Frog Lake Backcountry Huts, a series of remote cabins designed for skiers. The site advertises various sleeping arrangements while also providing a warning about the risks involved.
According to its website, backcountry skiers can access and stay at the huts from multiple directions, allowing for exploration of the terrain right outside their door. However, all routes lead through avalanche-prone areas, necessitating knowledge and safety equipment.
Plans outlined that the group intended to leave the Frog Lake Hut on Tuesday morning when the avalanche struck.
A large search operation sprang into action shortly thereafter, deploying 46 first responders to the site.
Rescue teams used a combination of snowmobiles, skis, and other means to safely extract the six survivors, who had been instructed to remain where they were until help arrived.
While it remains unclear who the missing skiers are, the situation is complicated by an avalanche warning that will last until Wednesday.
The Sierra Avalanche Center had previously issued an avalanche warning effective from 5 a.m. February 17 through 5 a.m. February 18, indicating “extremely high” danger in remote regions.
“Significant avalanches are anticipated to happen in backcountry terrain through Tuesday night and into early Wednesday morning,” the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office announced.
The avalanche itself occurred at around 8,200 feet near Frog Lake, and according to the Sierra Avalanche Center’s ratings, it was considered a level 2.5—a rating that can inflict injuries or fatalities and can drive snow masses the length of a football field and more than two yards deep.
