SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — In a dramatic rescue operation, teams are braving severe blizzard conditions to reach six skiers trapped after an avalanche in Northern California. This avalanche struck as a powerful winter storm swept through the region, leaving ten skiers unaccounted for.
The skiers were located at Frog Lake, near Castle Peak, northwest of Lake Tahoe. The alert came around 11:30 a.m. when someone reported an avalanche. By afternoon, officials were able to communicate with the six skiers using emergency beacons, instructing them to stay put in a makeshift shelter they had created with a tarp.
Steve Reynaud from the Sierra Avalanche Center explained that the group was on the final day of a three-day backcountry skiing trip, having navigated challenging terrain for several miles. Important briefing from the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office highlighted that the skiers were equipped with emergency beacons, which played a crucial role in their rescue efforts.
Rescue efforts are slow and careful due to the ongoing storm and the high risk of further avalanches. Snowcats, snowmobiles, and skiers are part of the diverse rescue team, working under hazardous conditions.
Brandon Schwartz, also from the Sierra Avalanche Center, emphasized the current danger levels in the backcountry. The snowfall is heavy, creating fragile layers on top, which significantly increases the avalanche risk. This timely warning was issued just hours before the avalanche occurred.
Ski resorts around Lake Tahoe are either closed or partially operating due to the extreme weather. While these resorts have safety measures in place, the backcountry remains highly perilous.
Historically, Castle Peak carries a dark legacy. It’s near Donner Summit, famously linked to the tragic events of the Donner Party in the winter of 1846-1847. This area’s reputation for danger underscores the necessity of caution when engaging in backcountry skiing.
The storm has already dropped over 30 inches of snow in nearby Soda Springs within just 24 hours. Weather forecasts predict an astonishing total of up to 8 feet in some regions of the Sierra Nevada before the storm passes.
Avalanche safety training and proper equipment are recommended for anyone venturing off the beaten path. Each winter, it’s reported that 25 to 30 people in the U.S. lose their lives in avalanches, a stark reminder of the risks involved.
As we watch rescue teams work tirelessly in these conditions, our thoughts are with the skiers waiting for help.
For more information on avalanche safety, you can visit the National Avalanche Center website.
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General news, California, Avalanches, Storms, Send to Apple News, Nevada, NV State Wire, U.S. news, Weather, Winter weather, Russell Greene, Ashley Quadros, Climate and environment, Climate
