Rescue crews are racing against time in the rugged mountains near Donner Pass after a powerful avalanche left 10 backcountry skiers missing and six others stranded but alive during a major winter storm in the Sierra Nevada.
The avalanche struck Tuesday morning near Frog Lake in the Castle Peak area, northwest of Lake Tahoe.
Authorities say a group of 16 skiers, 12 clients and four guides, had been staying at the remote Frog Lake huts since Sunday and were heading back to the trailhead at the end of a three-day trip when the slide occurred.
The Nevada County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call around 11:30 a.m. reporting that multiple people had been buried.
Emergency rescue teams were immediately dispatched, traveling by skis, snowmobiles and snowcats through blizzard conditions.
Interstate 80 over Donner Pass was closed due to heavy snow and spinouts, making access even more difficult.
By late Tuesday, six skiers had been located alive at the avalanche site. Officials said they were instructed to shelter in place and build makeshift protection from the storm while rescuers worked their way toward them.
According to Sheriff’s Capt. Russell Greene, the survivors used a tarp to create a temporary shelter and have remained in communication with authorities through emergency locator beacons capable of sending text messages.
“They are doing the best they can to survive and wait for rescue,”
Russell Greene
The remaining 10 skiers are still unaccounted for. A total of 46 emergency responders are involved in the operation, but progress has been slow because of dangerous conditions.
The Sierra Avalanche Center had issued a high avalanche warning beginning at 5 a.m. Tuesday, warning that large slides were expected through at least early Wednesday.
Forecasters said rapidly accumulating snowfall combined with strong winds created unstable layers in the snowpack.
In nearby Soda Springs, about 30 inches of snow fell within 24 hours. Some areas of the western Sierra were forecast to receive up to eight feet of snow before the storm moves out.
Brandon Schwartz, lead avalanche forecaster for the Tahoe National Forest, said the backcountry is especially dangerous during the height of a storm.
While ski resorts in the region conduct avalanche mitigation work, terrain outside resort boundaries carries significantly higher risk. Travel in or below avalanche-prone slopes had been strongly discouraged.
The trip was organized by Blackbird Mountain Guides, a Truckee-based outfitter that offers guided ski and climbing tours.
In a statement, the company said it is fully cooperating with the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office and Search and Rescue teams.
It also confirmed it is in direct contact with the families of those involved and providing updates as information becomes available.
The Frog Lake huts, located north of Donner Pass, are remote backcountry structures that require visitors to ski or snowshoe several miles to reach them in winter.
The Truckee Donner Land Trust, which manages the property, warns that all winter routes to the huts involve some degree of avalanche hazard. Visitors are advised to carry a beacon, probe and shovel and to have avalanche education before attempting the trip.
Castle Peak, rising about 9,100 feet above sea level, is a popular destination for experienced backcountry skiers.
However, the area has a history of deadly avalanches. Just last month, a snowmobiler from Oregon was killed in a slide on the backside of Castle Peak.
Nationally, avalanches kill an average of 25 to 30 people each year, according to the National Avalanche Center.
As the storm continues to pound the region, rescuers are proceeding carefully to avoid triggering additional slides. Officials say the situation remains active and dangerous, and search efforts will continue as weather conditions allow.
For now, families of the missing wait anxiously for word, hoping the harsh mountain environment will allow more survivors to be found.
Leave a Comment