Skiers Found Dead After California Avalanche

At least 46 emergency first-responders continue to look for survivors of an avalanche that occurred near Truckee, CA, yesterday. Six skiers from the group were evacuated and were able to contact emergency first-responders. So far, eight backcountry skiers were found dead today, according to the social media postings by the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office. They’ve not been moved yet because of ongoing bad weather, wind gusts of up to 100 mph, and additional avalanche warnings.

Blackbird Mountain Guides is a touring company that organizes backcountry expeditions and provides training to groups to engage in activities like this that are not for the faint of heart. “The group was in the process of returning to the trailhead at the conclusion of a three-day trip when the incident occurred,” it said in a news statement.

Avalanche Warnings

The Sierra Avalanche Center issued avalanche warnings on Tuesday.

“Rapidly accumulating snowfall, weak layers in the existing snowpack, and gale-force winds that blow and drift snow have created dangerous avalanche conditions in the mountains,” the avalanche warning states. “Natural avalanches are likely, and human-triggered avalanches large enough to bury or injure people are very likely.”

Length of a Football Field

The ski group, which included four tour guides, was wrapping up a three-day ski trip. Six skiers from the group were evacuated and were able to contact emergency first-responders using emergency beacons and iPhone S.O.S. functions. To get an idea of how massive the snow slide was, it’s described as the length of a football field. This tragedy is now the deadliest avalanche in current history in California.

More snow is expected on Thursday with another foot or so in the backcountry.

Updates to follow as we learn more.