A massive avalanche near the Lake Tahoe region in California has left ten skiers missing and six others stranded awaiting rescue. The incident occurred in the Castle Peak area near the town of Truckee. According to the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office, the group caught in the slide consisted of four professional guides and twelve participants who were navigating the backcountry terrain.
The Sheriff’s Office confirmed that at least six individuals survived the initial slide and have been instructed to remain in a safe, sheltered location until help arrives. However, the whereabouts and condition of the remaining ten people remain unknown. Specialized search and rescue teams from two nearby centers have been deployed, utilizing snow-capable vehicles designed to navigate the treacherous, deep-powder conditions.
Rescue efforts are being bolstered by expert teams from the Boreal Mountain Ski Resort and the Alder Creek Adventure Center. Currently, 46 emergency personnel are on the scene or en route, battling extreme weather to reach the site. Officials noted that the high altitude and unstable snowpack are making the operation exceptionally dangerous for first responders.
The Sierra Avalanche Center had previously issued a high-risk warning for Tuesday and Wednesday morning, citing heavy snowfall and structural weakness in the snow layers. The region has seen up to 30 inches of fresh snow in the last 24 hours alone. Due to high winds and near-zero visibility, several local ski resorts have been forced to close, and major transportation arteries, including Interstate 80 and Highway 50, remain blocked.
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