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Bend Snowmobiler Killed in Truckee Avalanche Near Castle Peak

Officials had posted a "considerable" avalanche danger for the Tahoe Basin that day.

Overview

  • A 2:19 p.m. PT transfer call to Nevada County reported an avalanche involving a group of five near Johnson and Castle peaks outside Truckee.
  • Fellow recreationists located the buried rider within minutes using a beacon and performed CPR, but he died at the scene; deputies identified him as Chris Scott Thomason, 42, of Bend, Oregon.
  • About 45 responders deployed with three SnoCats, three snowmobile teams and several ski teams, while requests for helicopter assistance were unavailable.
  • Deputies said searches concluded Monday night with all others accounted for and no additional victims or injuries confirmed.
  • Recent storms created unstable layers as the Sierra Avalanche Center rated the risk "considerable," and authorities urged people to stay out of the affected backcountry.