8 Skiers dead after avalanche near Lake Tahoe
6 days ago
- #avalanche
- #backcountry skiing
- #Lake Tahoe
- Eight people killed in an avalanche during a backcountry skiing expedition near Lake Tahoe.
- Six survivors and one missing person presumed dead; search efforts hampered by near-whiteout conditions.
- Avalanche was about a football field in length; five clients and one guide survived.
- Bodies remain at the scene due to persistent high avalanche risk.
- Rescue mission transitioned from rescue to recovery due to dangerous conditions.
- Avalanche struck at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday after skiers left backcountry huts at Frog Lake.
- Survivors took shelter in a treed area; two injured, one hospitalized.
- Blackbird Mountain Guides assisted in the emergency response.
- Avalanche warning was in effect; natural and human-triggered avalanches very likely.
- Avalanche occurred on a north-facing slope at 8,200 feet elevation.
- All skiers carried avalanche beacons; biggest risk is suffocation during burial.
- U.S. averages 27 avalanche deaths annually; deadliest in history was in 1910 with 96 deaths.
- California Gov. Gavin Newsom offered condolences and commended rescuers.