On Saturday, two skiers, both of whom were over 60 years old, reportedly entered a closed section of resort at Nevada’s Mt. Rose known as Jackpot Chute. They triggered a large avalanche and one of the men was buried. Search crews and rescue teams were immediately dispatched to search for the missing skier, who apparently wasn’t wearing a beacon or using any avalanche safety equipment.
Photo of the search area taken this morning by a Washoe County Search and Rescue volunteer. pic.twitter.com/SnM30PzK2k
— Washoe Sheriff (@WashoeSheriff) December 11, 2016
The Washoe County Sheriff’s department reported yesterday that search crews had located a man’s body. He has yet to be identified to the media as next-of-kin are notified. He was found around 1 p.m. Sunday under eight to 10 feet of snow.
Avalanche conditions have been dicey across the Western states as storms were reported in the Sierras, Cascades and Rockies. Out-of-bounds, or areas under early-season closure at ski resorts, should be considered “backcountry.”
This article was amended to show that Mt. Rose is actually in Nevada. Not in California, as was previously stated. We regret the error.
