In the US state of California, near Lake Tahoe, 10 people who were skiing off-piste are reported missing after an avalanche during heavy snowfall. The group consisted of 4 guides and 12 clients and was in the Castle Peak area of the Sierra Nevada mountain range.
“Elchi” reports that the avalanche occurred at approximately 11:30 a.m. local time at an altitude of approximately 2,500 meters and was rated as “very large” by the Sierra Avalanche Center. This means a size that could cause people to be buried or seriously injured.
Search and rescue teams were dispatched to the Castle Peak area after a warning. These days, California is under the influence of a strong winter storm accompanied by dangerous storms, strong winds, and intense snowfall in mountainous areas.
At least 6 skiers were reported to have survived; they were asked to move to a safe area while waiting for rescuers. The other 10 people are still missing. Approximately 50 rescuers continue to search the area to reach the survivors and find the missing skiers.
The group of 12 skiers and 4 guides was on the last day of a three-day off-piste ski tour. They had spent two nights in mountain shelters. According to the tour program, they had to cover a maximum distance of 6.4 km with mountain skiing equipment, cross difficult mountainous areas, and carry all their food and supplies with them.
Nevada County Sheriff’s Office Captain Russell Greene said authorities learned of the avalanche thanks to the ski company that took the group to Castle Peak and the emergency signal devices the skiers were carrying.
Məryəm