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Sierra Avalanche Traps 9 Skiers
18 Feb
Summary
- A large avalanche struck a group of 15 skiers in the central Sierra Nevada.
- Nine skiers remain missing following the Tuesday incident near Castle Peak.
- Search efforts are ongoing but hampered by extreme weather conditions.
A large avalanche, classified as D2.5, occurred on Tuesday, February 17, in the central Sierra Nevada near Truckee, California, resulting in nine skiers missing. The incident happened around 11:30 a.m. in the Castle Peak area, engulfing a group of 15 individuals, comprising guides and clients.
Six skiers were successfully rescued by search and rescue teams who battled extreme weather conditions to reach the remote site. The rescued skiers sustained varying injuries, with two transported to a hospital for further treatment. The missing individuals were part of a three-day ski trip organized by Blackbird Mountain Guides.
Forecasters had previously issued a "High" avalanche danger warning for the region due to intense snowfall and strong winds, advising against travel in avalanche terrain. The National Weather Service expects an additional 4 to 7 feet of snow at higher elevations through Thursday, with wind gusts up to 60 mph, potentially creating whiteout conditions.
Search efforts for the remaining nine skiers are ongoing, pending an improvement in weather conditions. Local officials hope to deploy aircraft on Wednesday, February 18, to aid in expanding the search area. A "high" avalanche warning remains in effect for the central Sierra Nevada.
