TRUCKEE
Editor’s note, Feb. 17: Updated number of skiers, believed to be 16 initially, to the 15 that went on the trip.
At 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 17 — in the midst of a major winter storm that has dropped 29 inches in the last 24 hours — a group of 15 skiers encountered an avalanche on Castle Peak. The group was made up of four ski guides from Blackbird Mountain Guides and 11 clients who were returning after multiple nights at the Frog Lakes backcountry huts. At least six of the skiers survived, including two of the guides, according to sources.
A level-four, high danger avalanche forecast was released by Sierra Avalanche Center at 5 a.m. on Feb. 17, stating, “All avalanche terrain is suspect. A widespread natural avalanche cycle is expected over the next 24 hours.” The center’s Steve Reynaud also reported a storm slab avalanche cycle on Feb. 16 on Castle Peak.
The Frog Lake huts are located on Donner Summit, roughly 1 mile east of Castle Peak, and tend to book out months in advance.
Blackbird Mountain Guides released a statement on the situation, noting the “group was in the process of returning to the trailhead at the conclusion of a three-day trip [that began Sunday, Feb. 15] when the incident occurred.”
As of 4 p.m., rescue efforts by 46 emergency first responders continued for the six known survivors, who were instructed to shelter-in-place, according to the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office.
~ MR
