Deadliest U.S. Avalanche in Over 40 Years Strikes Near Lake Tahoe
In a tragic turn of events, eight backcountry skiers have been confirmed dead and one remains missing following an avalanche near Lake Tahoe in California, officials announced on Wednesday. This incident now stands as the deadliest avalanche in the United States in more than four decades, casting a somber shadow over the region.
Rescue Efforts Shift to Recovery Mission
Nevada County Sheriff Shannan Moon disclosed during a news conference that authorities have informed the families of the victims that the operation has transitioned from rescue to recovery. The last time the U.S. witnessed such a devastating avalanche was in 1981, when 11 climbers lost their lives on Mount Rainier in Washington.
Crews have been battling treacherous conditions since the avalanche struck on Tuesday morning. Search and rescue teams were dispatched to the Castle Peak area of the Sierra Nevada after a 911 call reported that 15 skiers had been buried. Six of these individuals have been found alive, offering a glimmer of hope amidst the tragedy.
Challenging Conditions and Ongoing Risks
The group was on a three-day trek in Northern California's Sierra Nevada, coinciding with a monster winter storm that pummeled the West Coast. Two of the rescued skiers were taken to a hospital for treatment after several hours of searching, according to Ashley Quadros, a spokesperson for the Nevada County Sheriff's Office. Heavy snowfall and the persistent threat of additional avalanches have significantly hampered rescue efforts in the mountains near Castle Peak, northwest of Lake Tahoe.
The Sierra Avalanche Center issued a warning on Wednesday, stating that the risk of avalanche remains high and advising against travel in the area. Multiple feet of snowfall and gale force winds in recent days have left the snowpack unstable and unpredictable, with more snow forecasted to fall, exacerbating the danger.
Details of the Expedition and Area History
Nevada County Sheriff Capt. Russell Greene revealed that authorities were notified about the avalanche by Blackbird Mountain Guides, which was leading the expedition, and through the skiers' emergency beacons. Initially, it was believed that 16 skiers were on the trip, but the sheriff's office corrected this to 15 on Tuesday night.
Steve Reynaud, an avalanche forecaster with the Sierra Avalanche Center, explained that the skiers were on the final day of their backcountry skiing trip and had spent two nights in huts near Frog Lake. This area requires navigating rugged mountainous terrain, with all food and supplies needing to be carried to the huts. According to the Truckee Donner Land Trust, which owns the huts, reaching them in winter takes several hours and demands backcountry skills, avalanche training, and safety equipment.
Blackbird Mountain Guides released a statement indicating that the group, which included four guides, was returning to the trailhead when the avalanche occurred. "Our thoughts are with the missing individuals, their families, and first responders in the field," the company said, adding that it is assisting authorities in the search.
Historical Context and Regional Impact
The area near Donner Summit, one of the snowiest places in the Western Hemisphere with an average of nearly 35 feet of snow annually, was closed to the public until just a few years ago. It was acquired by the land trust and its partners in 2020. Donner Summit is named for the infamous Donner Party, a group of pioneers who resorted to cannibalism after being trapped there in the winter of 1846-1847.
In January, an avalanche in the region buried and killed a snowmobiler, highlighting the persistent dangers. Each winter, 25 to 30 people die in avalanches across the U.S., according to the National Avalanche Center. Meanwhile, several Tahoe ski resorts have been fully or partially closed due to the weather, though they are not at as high a risk as the backcountry due to controlled measures like explosions and barriers.
