Authorities report that an avalanche in the Lake Tahoe region of California has left 10 backcountry skiers missing. An additional six individuals are stranded and awaiting rescue.
The Nevada County Sheriff’s Office stated that the avalanche was reported at approximately 11:30 PST (19:30 GMT) in the Castle Peak area, near Truckee, California.
The group of 16 consisted of four guides and 12 clients. Weather conditions in the area remain perilous, with a high probability of further avalanches.
The Sheriff’s Office has deployed “highly-skilled rescue ski teams” from two nearby ski resorts. The six known survivors have been “directed to shelter in place as best they can given the conditions,” according to authorities.
“At least six of the skiers survived the avalanche and remain at the site, awaiting rescue. Ten individuals remain unaccounted for at this time,” the Sheriff’s Office posted on Facebook Tuesday afternoon.
A “SnoCat team has also been dispatched,” the Sheriff’s Office added, referencing the tracked vehicles commonly used for grooming snow at ski resorts.
Experts from Boreal Mountain Ski Resort and Alder Creek Adventure Center are also involved in the rescue efforts, attempting to reach the avalanche site.
“Rescue efforts are ongoing with 46 emergency first responders currently on scene. Weather conditions remain extremely dangerous,” the statement continued.
The statement also cited a forecast from the Sierra Avalanche Center, warning, “Large avalanches are expected to occur Tuesday, Tuesday night, and into at least early Wednesday morning across backcountry terrain.”
The avalanche center has listed the danger rating as “high,” which is a four out of five on their scale.
Boreal Mountain Ski Resort, located near the site of the avalanche, has reported 30 inches (76cm) of snowfall within the past 24 hours.
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