Nine Skiers Missing After Avalanche Near Lake Tahoe, Six Rescued
Nine skiers remain missing following a devastating avalanche that struck the Castle Peak area of California's Sierra Nevada mountains on Tuesday. Authorities have confirmed that six individuals from the same backcountry skiing group were successfully rescued after taking refuge in a makeshift shelter. The avalanche occurred approximately 10 miles north of Lake Tahoe at around 11:30 AM, engulfing a party that included four guides and eleven clients.
Rescue Efforts Amid Extreme Conditions
The Nevada County Sheriff's Office reported that the six survivors were located through radio beacon and text message communications. "Due to extreme weather conditions, it took several hours for rescue personnel to safely reach the skiers and transport them to safety where they were medically evaluated by Truckee Fire," the office stated in a Facebook post. Two of the rescued skiers required hospital treatment for their injuries.
Search operations continue for the nine missing individuals, though progress is hampered by severe weather. The sheriff's office has deployed 46 emergency first responders to the area, with additional support from ski rescue teams dispatched from Boreal Mountain ski resort and Tahoe Donner's Alder Creek adventure center.
Dangerous Weather Conditions
The avalanche occurred during a winter storm warning for much of northern California, with the Sierra Nevada experiencing what scientists at the Central Sierra Snow Lab described as some of the worst conditions in years. Key factors contributing to the dangerous situation include:
- Heavy snowfall accumulating rapidly on fragile snowpack layers
- Gale-force winds creating unstable conditions
- Low visibility hampering rescue efforts
- Soda Springs recording at least 30 inches of snow within 24 hours
The Sierra Avalanche Center had issued a "high avalanche danger" alert for the region before dawn on Tuesday. "It's particularly dangerous in the backcountry right now just because we're at the height of the storm," explained Brandon Schwartz, Tahoe National Forest lead avalanche forecaster.
Backcountry Skiing Expedition Details
The missing skiers were participating in the final day of a three-day backcountry skiing trek organized by a commercial tour company. According to Steve Reynaud, a Tahoe National Forest avalanche forecaster, the expedition involved navigating "rugged mountainous terrain" for distances up to 4 miles while carrying all necessary food and supplies. The group had spent two nights in mountain huts before the avalanche struck.
Nevada County Sheriff Captain Russell Greene expressed concerns about the decision to proceed with the expedition under such hazardous conditions. "I don't think it was a wise choice," Greene told the Associated Press, while acknowledging that investigators were still gathering details about the circumstances.
Historical Context and Response
The Castle Peak area, a 9,110-foot mountain north of Donner Summit, is a popular backcountry skiing destination with historical significance. The summit derives its name from the infamous Donner party, pioneers who resorted to cannibalism after becoming trapped there during the winter of 1846-1847.
California Governor Gavin Newsom has been briefed on the situation, with state authorities coordinating an "all-hands search-and-rescue effort" in conjunction with local emergency teams. The Colorado Avalanche Information Center reports six avalanche deaths in the United States so far this season, with an average of 27 fatalities annually over the past decade.
If all nine missing skiers perish, this avalanche would rank among the deadliest single avalanche incidents in U.S. history. Rescue operations continue pending improvements in weather conditions, with authorities emphasizing the extreme risks currently present in backcountry areas throughout the Sierra Nevada region.
