At least six skiers are stranded, and ten others have been reported as missing after an avalanche in the Castle Peak area of Truckee, California, the Nevada County Sheriff's Office said in a Tuesday social media post.
Rescue ski teams have been dispatched toward the confirmed survivors from the both Boreal Mountain Ski Resort and Tahoe Donner’s Alder Creek Adventure Center, the sheriff's office said, adding that a SnoCat team had also been dispatched from the adventure center.
Blackbird Mountain Guides, which offers backcountry tours, confirmed in its own statement that the group had consisted of 16 people: four guides and 12 clients.
"The group was in the process of returning to the trailhead at the conclusion of a three-day trip when the incident occurred," Blackbird Mountain Guides said, adding that it is working in full coordination with the sheriff's office and the county's search and rescue team.
According to the sherrif's office's statement, a total of 46 first responders are taking part in the rescue effort as weather conditions remain highly dangerous.
The office further noted that the Sierra Avalanche Center had earlier issued an avalanche warning for February 17-18 for the area.
Risk of triggering additional avalanches
“This is a fluid situation, so it may change,” NBC News quoted Russell Greene, a captain with the sheriff’s office, as saying. “We’re in the process of contacting the family members of the individuals that were out there.”
"It's in a tough area. It's just going to be slow going so we don't trigger any other avalanches, because that is definitely a possibility," he said, noting that the risk of additional avalanches are high enough that "we're hesitant to send anybody in on a snowmobile."
"They have at least a tarp with them, so they're doing their best to create somewhat of a structure and get out of the elements as best they can, and we will begin treating and dealing with that when we get there," Greene was quoted by NBC, explaining that the sheriff's office has been in contact with the survivors through an emergency satellite messaging service.
This is a developing story.