TL;DR
A group of 16 skiers was caught in a large avalanche near Castle Peak in Northern California on Tuesday morning, leaving 10 people unaccounted for as emergency crews mounted a major rescue operation. The incident occurred amid an active avalanche warning and severe storm conditions across the Sierra Nevada.
10 Skiers Unaccounted For After Avalanche Buries Group Near Castle Peak
A group of 16 skiers — four guides and 12 clients — was buried or caught in a large avalanche near Castle Peak, just off Interstate 80 near Donner Summit and Truckee, California, at around 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday 17 February. Six survivors remained at the scene and were instructed to shelter in place while rescue teams worked to reach them. The other 10 were unaccounted for as of Tuesday afternoon.
Rescue Operation Underway
Forty-six emergency responders were involved in the rescue effort. Teams from Boreal Mountain Ski Resort and Tahoe Donner's Alder Creek Adventure Center were dispatched to the site, along with a SnoCat from the Alder Creek centre. Assisting agencies included Nevada County Sheriff's Search and Rescue, Placer County Sheriff's Office, Tahoe Nordic Search and Rescue, Washoe County Sheriff's Office, Washoe County Search and Rescue, and Truckee Fire. The incident was still active as of Tuesday afternoon.
