10 backcountry skiers remain missing in Northern California after a winter storm triggered an avalanche at Castle Peak in the Sierra Nevada. The Nevada County Sheriff’s Office initially reported that a group of 16 skiers, comprising four ski guides and 12 clients, had encountered the avalanche; this was later revised to 15. Search and rescue teams successfully rescued six individuals, who sustained various injuries, according to officials. Officials say rescue operations are underway in "highly dangerous" conditions to bring the remaining skiers to safety. “Due to extreme weather conditions, it took several hours for rescue personnel to safely reach the skiers and transport them to safety, where they were medically evaluated by Truckee Fire," the sheriff's office stated. The sheriff’s office added that “two of the six skiers have been transported to a hospital for treatment.” Rescuers faced challenging conditions, including avalanche danger, according to the director of the Sierra Avalanche Center, Brandon Schwartz. A total of 46 emergency responders, including experts from Boreal Mountain Ski Resort and Alder Creek Adventure Center, are involved in the search. The Sierra Avalanche Center has warned that “HIGH avalanche danger might continue through the day on Wednesday,” urging people to avoid travel “in, near, or below avalanche terrain.”
