The Tahoe Nordic Search & Rescue Team completed a successful overnight rescue this past weekend after receiving a call at 9:30pm on Friday, December 9th. The missing skier’s tracks were found fairly quickly off the top of Alpine Meadows despite pre-storm winds already whipping, with rescuers receiving responses to their calls about 30 minutes into the search. The individual was found hiking back uphill, retracing his steps, a move that Tahoe Nordic Search & Rescue commemorates.
As the group notes on their Facebook post, knowing the terrain you’re on is very important to staying safe while on the mountains. Though continuing downhill may seem like the easiest way to rescue, it can lead people into an area of wilderness significantly more difficult to reach or exit. In this case, the skier was absolutely right to turn around and head uphill.
Huge props to the Tahoe Nordic Search & Rescue Team for pulling off this difficult rescue!
“Special thanks to all of the patrollers at Alpine Meadows for assisting in the set-up. Thank you to Placer County Sherriffs Office for the LARGE crew who stayed up all night with us!” – Tahoe Nordic Search & Rescue Team Inc
Image Credit: Tahoe Nordic Search & Rescue Team Inc via Facebook