10 backcountry skiers missing following avalanche in northern California: Authorities

Ten backcountry skiers are currently missing after an avalanche struck in northern California on Tuesday. The Nevada County Sheriff’s Office reported the incident, which took place in the Castle Peak area of the Sierra Nevada.

A group of 16 skiers, consisting of four ski guides and 12 clients, were caught in the avalanche. Sadly, only six individuals have been found alive and are awaiting rescue at the site. The remaining 10 skiers are still unaccounted for, prompting a search and rescue operation in the midst of treacherous conditions.

Brandon Schwartz, the director of the Sierra Avalanche Center, highlighted the extreme challenges that rescuers are facing. The area has experienced heavy snowfall, with 2 to 3 feet of new snow in the last 36 hours and ongoing snowfall at a rate of 2 to 4 inches per hour. These conditions have elevated the risk of further avalanches, making the rescue operation even more perilous.

The Sierra Avalanche Center has issued a warning for the Central Sierra Nevada Mountains, spanning from Yuba Pass to Ebbetts Pass, including the Lake Tahoe area. The center cautioned against travel in or near backcountry avalanche terrain, as large avalanches are expected to persist through Wednesday morning.

Reports of whiteout conditions have emerged in the region where the avalanche occurred. The California Highway Patrol’s Truckee office has also alerted the public to high winds causing full whiteout conditions across Donner Summit. As a result, Interstate 80 over Donner Summit had to be closed in both directions on Tuesday due to poor visibility.

The situation remains critical as rescue teams work tirelessly to locate the missing skiers amidst the hazardous conditions. Our thoughts are with the individuals affected by this tragic event, and we hope for a swift and safe resolution to the rescue operation.