Rescuers race to save 6 skiers trapped in Sierra Nevada avalanche that's left 9 more missing

"Crews pushed through mountainous wilderness near Lake Tahoe during a snowstorm to rescue six backcountry skiers who survived an avalanche but were trapped by its snow and ice. Nine others from their tour group remained missing. Two of the six were taken to a hospital for treatment, said Ashley Quadros, a spokesperson for the Nevada County Sheriff's Office. The sheriff's office said Tuesday night that there were 15 skiers on the trip - not 16 as initially believed."

"The skiers were on the last day of a three-day backcountry skiing trek, said Steve Reynaud, a Tahoe National Forest avalanche forecaster with the Sierra Avalanche Center, which had contact with people on the ground in the area. He said the skiers spent two nights at huts on a trip that required navigating "rugged mountainous terrain" for up to 4 miles (6.4 kilometers) while bringing along all food and supplies."

"Search and rescue crews were dispatched to Frog Lake in the Castle Peak area, northwest of Lake Tahoe, after a 911 call reporting an avalanche and people buried. A powerful winter storm was moving through California at the time. Extreme conditions in the Northern California mountains slowed the rescue effort. It took crews several hours to reach the skiers and take them to safety, where they were evaluated by the Truckee Fire Department."

Crews pushed through snowy, mountainous wilderness near Lake Tahoe to rescue six backcountry skiers who survived an avalanche but were trapped in its snow and ice. Nine others from the 15-person tour remained missing. Two of the rescued were taken to a hospital and were evaluated by the Truckee Fire Department after crews reached them several hours later. Search and rescue teams were dispatched to Frog Lake in the Castle Peak area after a 911 call and signals from emergency beacons. The skiers were finishing a three-day backcountry trek that involved two nights in huts and navigating rugged mountainous terrain while carrying all food and supplies.

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