A devastating avalanche near Lake Tahoe, California, has claimed the lives of eight skiers, with one still unaccounted for. This tragic event marks the worst avalanche collapse in the region since 1981.
The incident occurred on Wednesday, February 18, in the Castle Peak area of the Sierra Nevada mountains. Officials responded to a 911 call reporting that 15 skiers had been buried under heavy snow. Search and rescue teams faced extremely challenging conditions, including continued snowfall and the risk of additional avalanches.
Despite the dangers, six skiers were rescued and several were transported to hospital for treatment, confirmed Ashley Quadros of the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office. Rescue attempts have now transitioned from searching for survivors to recovering those who perished, as communicated to the families of the missing.
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The ski group was undertaking a backcountry expedition led by Blackbird Mountain Guides. They were on the final day of a multi-night trip, having spent two nights in mountain huts. Emergency beacons from the skiers’ equipment were instrumental in alerting authorities.
Donner Summit, near where the avalanche struck, is one of the snowiest locations in the Western Hemisphere. While once closed to the public, it has been accessible in recent years. The Sierra Avalanche Center has issued high avalanche risk warnings and urged people to avoid the area amid ongoing winter storms impacting the West Coast.
The tragedy at Donner Summit evokes somber memories of the historic Donner Party, a group of pioneers trapped in the same area in the winter of 1846-1847. Avalanche fatalities remain a serious risk, with 25 to 30 deaths annually reported across the United States, according to the National Avalanche Center.
Blackbird Mountain Guides expressed their condolences and commitment to supporting the ongoing search and recovery efforts. “Our hearts go out to the families and the brave first responders working in these difficult conditions,” the company stated.