New information is coming out about how six people survived a backcountry avalanche that killed at least eight others.
Authorities were alerted to the avalanche in the Castle Peak area of Tahoe National Forest around 11:30 a.m. local time on Tuesday, Feb. 17, Nevada County Sheriff Shannan Moon said at a press conference the next day.
Officials said 15 skiers — 11 clients and four guides — were caught in the slide while returning from a three-day backcountry trip. The group was associated with Blackbird Mountain Guides.
Capt. Russell “Rusty” Greene of the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office said that as the slide began, one member of the group shouted “Avalanche!” before everyone was overtaken quickly.
Six people survived, while eight others have been found dead, Moon said on Wednesday, Feb. 18. One person remains missing.
The survivors endured hours in the snow and cold while waiting for help. Moon said rescuers received early information through an iPhone emergency SOS feature, which helped guide the response.
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Greene said the group also had a specialized beacon capable of sending alerts, and at least one guide was able to send text messages as they waited for rescuers to arrive. Moon said the survivors used their equipment to create shelter as temperatures dropped below freezing.
Rescue crews reached the group shortly after 5:30 p.m. local time Tuesday, Moon said. By that point, she added, the survivors had already discovered three people dead.
A snowcat was used to transport the survivors from the area, according to the sheriff’s office. Two people were later hospitalized with injuries that were not considered life-threatening.
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Authorities have not released the identities of those killed. Moon said many of the survivors and those affected are still processing what happened, noting the victims were from multiple states.
Moon described the avalanche site as a remote and rugged part of the backcountry, and said conditions during the search were severe. Those conditions have also slowed efforts to locate the remaining missing person.
An avalanche warning was in effect from 5 a.m. Tuesday until 5 a.m. Wednesday.
