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California Avalanche: Six Found, Ten Missing
18 Feb
Summary
- Six skiers found alive after avalanche in Northern California.
- Ten individuals remain missing following the incident.
- A powerful winter storm is impacting the region.

Six backcountry skiers were found alive following an avalanche in Northern California on Tuesday, though 10 others remain missing. The incident occurred in the Castle Peak area, northwest of Lake Tahoe, amid a significant winter storm. Search and rescue teams were deployed after a 911 call reported buried individuals.
This region, including the Greater Lake Tahoe area, was under a high avalanche danger warning, with large slides anticipated. The dangerous conditions stem from rapidly accumulating snow, a weakening snowpack, and high winds. Several Lake Tahoe ski resorts experienced closures or partial shutdowns due to the extreme weather.
Castle Peak, a popular backcountry destination, is located in the Donner Summit area of the Sierra Nevada. Nearby Soda Springs has received over 30 inches of snow in the past 24 hours. The storm is projected to continue through Wednesday, with snowfall potentially reaching 8 feet in some areas. Roadways across Northern California have been affected, with traffic disruptions reported on Interstate 80.




