A severe avalanche struck a remote slope near Lake Tahoe in California’s Sierra Nevada mountains on Tuesday, leaving at least 10 skiers missing and six others trapped, Reuters reported.
An avalanche occurred in the Green Mountains area near Truckee amid heavy snowfall around 11:30 a.m. PT. The site is about 10 miles north of Lake Tahoe.
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According to a statement from the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office, “Sixteen skiers were reported to have been involved in an avalanche in the Truckee Green Mountain area around 11:30 a.m. this morning. At least six skiers survived the avalanche and remained at the avalanche site awaiting rescue, and the remaining 10 skiers were unaccounted for at the time of this release. The group consists of four ski guides and 12 clients.”
Rescue efforts are underway.
“Skilled rescue ski teams have departed from North Mountain Ski Resort and the Alder Creek Adventure Center in Tahoe Donner to locate the six known survivors, who have been instructed to shelter in place if conditions permit. A SnoCat rescue team has also departed from the Alder Creek Adventure Center,” the Sheriff’s Office said.
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Blackbird Mountain Guides issued a statement
The leader of the group, Truckee-based Blackbird Mountain Guides, issued the following statement confirming the incident.
“Blackbird Mountain Guides are currently responding to a severe backcountry incident involving an avalanche near Frog Lake Lodge in the Green Mountains area on the morning of February 17th.
A total of 12 customers and four guides have been staying at Frog Lake Lodge since February 15. The group was returning to the trailhead from a three-day trip when the incident occurred.
Blackbird Mountain Guides’ leadership team is fully coordinating with the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office and Nevada County Search and Rescue to support ongoing rescue operations.
Blackbird Mountain Guides is in direct contact with affected customers and guides’ emergency contacts and will provide them with regular updates as verified information becomes available. “
