Overview
- An avalanche struck around 11:30 a.m. near Castle Peak and Frog Lake northwest of Lake Tahoe, triggering an extensive search-and-rescue operation.
- The slide caught a guided group of 16 people — four ski guides and 12 clients — who were on the final day of a three‑day backcountry trip, according to officials and the guiding company.
- Six skiers have been located and instructed to shelter at the site, while roughly ten remain unaccounted for as operations continue into the night.
- About 46 responders are deployed, with rescue ski teams from Boreal Mountain and Tahoe Donner’s Alder Creek Adventure Center and SnoCat units advancing cautiously; authorities are receiving updates via emergency beacons and tour‑company notifications.
- The Sierra Avalanche Center had posted a high‑danger warning through Wednesday morning as heavy snowfall and strong winds created whiteout conditions, closed stretches of Interstate 80, and prompted officials to urge the public to avoid backcountry travel.