A severe avalanche occurred in the northern mountains of California on Tuesday (February 17), leaving at least 10 skiers missing and another 6 survivors trapped in the mountains. Rescue personnel are risking blizzard conditions and the threat of secondary avalanches to carry out full-scale rescue operations.
The incident took place in the area of Castle Peak near Frog Lake in the northwest of Lake Tahoe. Around 11:30 a.m. that day, a 911 call was made reporting multiple individuals buried in snow.
Authorities reported that rescue teams have confirmed the survival of 6 skiers and instructed them to seek shelter where they are and wait for rescue forces to arrive.
It is reported that the group involved was on a three-day backcountry skiing trip with the final day being the day of the incident, having spent the previous two nights in a mountain cabin.
The activity was organized by Blackbird Mountain Guides, with a total of 12 clients and 4 guides participating, all cooperating with official rescue efforts.
Assistant Sheriff Russell Greene of the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office stated that the authorities received reports from the leading company and emergency beacons activated by the skiers. The trapped individuals are currently able to maintain communication with the outside world through the beacons and are constructing temporary shelters for self-rescue.
Currently, 46 rescue personnel are involved in the rescue operation. The rescue teams are utilizing snowcat vehicles, snowmobiles, and ski personnel in batches to approach the site, but progress is slow and the risks are high.
A powerful winter storm swept through California on Monday, bringing heavy snowfall, strong winds, and thunderstorms. The Sierra Avalanche Center issued an avalanche warning for the central Sierra Nevada Mountains and the greater Lake Tahoe area early on the 18th, with a forecast of continued high-risk large-scale avalanches until the 19th.
Many ski resorts in the vicinity have partially or fully closed. The meteorological department predicts that snowfall in some areas may reach up to 2.4 meters before the storm subsides. Due to the weather conditions, Highway 80 was temporarily closed in both directions.
Castle Peak, with an elevation of approximately 2777 meters, is a renowned backcountry skiing destination known for its steep terrain and frequent avalanches. According to data from the U.S. National Avalanche Center, an average of 25 to 30 people die in avalanches in the U.S. every year. In January of this year, a fatal avalanche incident also occurred in the same region.
(This article referenced a report from the Associated Press)