A tour guide company is speaking out after coming under fire amid an avalanche tragedy. Nine skiers remain missing after going on a backcountry trip near Lake Tahoe. 15 people were hit. So far, six people have been found.
But nine remain missing. Search and rescue teams are searching the area after the devastating avalanche. Now, Blackbird Mountain Guides is speaking out about the avalanche near Frog Lake. The skiers were at the end of a three-day tour when the incident happened.
The statement read: "Blackbird Mountain Guides is currently responding to a serious backcountry incident involving an avalanche that occurred this morning, February 17, near the Frog Lake huts in the Castle Peak area. A total of 11 clients and four guides had been staying at the Frog Lake huts since February 15. The group was in the process of returning to the trailhead at the conclusion of a three-day trip when the incident occurred."
Avalanche Hits Skiers
They continued, "The leadership team at Blackbird Mountain Guides is working in full coordination with the Nevada County Sheriff's Office and Nevada County Search and Rescue to support the ongoing rescue operation. Blackbird Mountain Guides is in direct contact with the emergency contacts of the affected clients and guides and is providing them with regular updates as verified information becomes available."
The tour guide company is under fire for allowing the tour to proceed with a huge winter storm forecasted for the area. Kurt Gensheimer, who was previously at the site, says the whole thing could have been prevented.
He told The California Post, "I was at Frog Lake from Thursday to Sunday but we got out before the storm moved in." He added: "Absolutely a preventable tragedy is all I will say about it."
Don Coelho wrote, "What in God's name were they doing up there today of all days! Hope they survive and learn a really important lesson."
Ken Buck posted, "Those ski guides; bad call. I hope all are found safe."
Meanwhile, Heather Sears added, "Praying for all but questions about how 'guides' took them out in these conditions. Really? Did they not read the warnings?"
