A snowmobiler from Oregon was buried and died in an avalanche just north of Lake Tahoe on Monday, despite efforts by his friends and rescue crews to save him.
A 42-year old snowmobiler was buried in an avalanche just north of Lake Tahoe on Monday and died, despite having all of the latest safety gear and being with four other experienced riders.
The group set out from the Johnson Canyon, on Donner Pass, and rode to nearby Castle Peak, according to the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office. After a dry start to the winter, the region has been battered with atmospheric river storms since Christmas, with accumulations of up to six feet on nearby summits.
The snowmobilers came prepared. Each was wearing an avalanche beacon/transceiver, which emits a steady radio signal that can be picked up by the other beacons. If someone gets buried, others in the group can use their receivers to help find the buried comrade.
On their way back from Castle Peak, the group was caught in a large avalanche.
