Safety of Searchers Tops Concerns in Lake Tahoe Avalanche Recovery

An avalanche the size of a football field struck a backcountry area near Lake Tahoe on Tuesday, overwhelming a group of 15 skiers. Six survivors were able to contact rescuers, while at least eight people were found dead and one person remained missing and was presumed dead on Wednesday afternoon.

The bodies were discovered not far from where the survivors had been located. As the mission shifted from urgent rescue to recovery, officials said the safety of search teams became a primary consideration. Forecasters warned that heavy snow could continue into Thursday, increasing the danger of additional avalanches and the chance that remains could be buried deeper.

Teams have been testing the snowpack regularly before sending volunteers back into the area. The skiers had been staying in cabins on Frog Lake near Castle Peak during a three-day backcountry trip led by Blackbird Mountain Guides; the group included four guides.

United States, Lake Tahoe

avalanche, lake tahoe, backcountry, search teams, recovery, survivors, fatalities, snowpack, blackbird mountain, frog lake