WASHOE COUNTY — On December 25, the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue (WCSO SAR), Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District (TMFPD), and REMSA responded to a backcountry avalanche near Mount Rose Summit.
A male skier was reported partially buried in the avalanche.
With rapidly deteriorating weather conditions and time being critical, WCSO SAR quickly mobilized and staged just west of Mount Rose Ski Resort.
Using multiple technologies and in coordination with the Sierra Avalanche Center, the team was able to pinpoint the skier’s exact location.
SAR ski and snowshoe teams deployed into the backcountry and made verbal contact with the skier. He was found cold, tired, and wet after spending several hours in the avalanche runout area, but was uninjured and able to walk.
Teams provided him with snowshoes and escorted him safely out of the backcountry, where he was transferred to REMSA for evaluation.
Skier was completely buried in avalanche
During the rescue, the skier revealed that he had been completely buried in the avalanche and spent over an hour partially digging himself out before accessing his cell phone to call 911.
The Washoe County Sheriff’s Office praised the coordination and quick response of all agencies involved and highlighted the positive outcome of the rescue.
WCSO SAR said that while backcountry skiing can be enjoyable, it carries significant risks.
“WCSO SAR reminds the public to take all necessary precautions when planning a backcountry adventure,” said the sheriff’s office in a Facebook post.
They also noted that the Sierra Avalanche Center is an excellent resource for the most up-to-date information on snowpack and avalanche conditions in the region.
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