Survival Amidst the Snow: 6 Backcountry Skiers Rescued and 10 Still Missing After Sierra Nevada Avalanche at Donner Pass

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Survival Amidst the Snow: 6 Backcountry Skiers Rescued and 10 Still Missing After Sierra Nevada Avalanche at Donner Pass

Six backcountry skiers were found alive after an avalanche hit northern California, leaving 10 others unaccounted for. This incident occurred in the Castle Peak area, northwest of Lake Tahoe, during a fierce winter storm sweeping through the state.

First responders rushed to Frog Lake around 11:30 a.m. after someone reported the avalanche. By later that day, the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the six skiers were safe. They were advised to stay in place while help was on the way. Around 46 rescuers were involved in the operation, battling blizzard conditions to reach them.

The skiers were on the final day of a challenging three-day trip, having stayed in huts along their route. Steve Reynaud, an avalanche forecaster with the Sierra Avalanche Center, noted that the group had to navigate rugged terrain while carrying all their supplies.

The storm brought heavy snowfall and strong winds. Brandon Schwartz, another avalanche forecaster, warned that conditions in the backcountry were particularly dangerous. An avalanche warning was issued for the Central Sierra Nevada, predicting significant snow slides through Tuesday and into Wednesday.

The unstable snowpack was created by rapid snowfall combined with high winds. Consequently, many ski resorts around Lake Tahoe were closed or partially closed due to the extreme weather. While these resorts have avalanche mitigation programs, they were not as risky as the backcountry.

Castle Peak, a popular ski destination, stands at 9,110 feet (2,777 meters). Just nearby, Soda Springs had recorded at least 30 inches (76 centimeters) of snow in the past 24 hours, with more expected. Forecasts indicated some areas could see up to 8 feet (2.4 meters) of snow before the storm passed.

This weather event caused significant disruptions on major roadways, especially on I-80, where traffic was halted due to accidents. In January, a winter avalanche in the region tragically killed a snowmobiler, emphasizing the real dangers of winter sports. Statistics from the National Avalanche Center reveal that 25 to 30 people lose their lives to avalanches in the U.S. each year.

Avalanches can strike quickly and without warning. That’s why expertise in avalanche safety and awareness of the terrain is critical for anyone venturing into mountainous areas.

For further reading about avalanche safety and statistics, you can visit the National Avalanche Center’s website [here](https://www.fs.usda.gov/ avalanche).



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