A backcountry skier who broke his leg in steep, snowy terrain near Castle Peak in the Lake Tahoe area was rescued late Saturday night in a complex, multi-agency operation, according to the Placer County Sheriff’s Office. The skier, who was 6 feet 8 inches tall, was injured around 8,000 feet elevation in the Castle Peak area, a popular but remote backcountry destination in the Sierra Nevada just off Interstate 80 near Donner Pass, known for its steep terrain and demanding conditions.. The Placer County Sheriff’s Office said the rescue was particularly difficult due to the skier’s height, steep terrain, and complete darkness.
At approximately 9:30 p.m., a CALSTAR (California Shock Trauma Air Rescue) helicopter reached a meadow about 250 yards from the skier’s location. Two paramedics were dropped off and climbed a steep, icy embankment to reach him, according to the sheriff’s office. Due to the terrain, ground extraction was ruled out. The county’s Falcon 30 helicopter, equipped with night vision goggles, was dispatched for a hoist rescue. Crews safely packaged the skier and hoisted him to the helicopter under challenging conditions.
The skier was then flown to the Boreal Ski Resort parking lot, where he was transferred to a ground ambulance from the Truckee Fire Protection District. He was transported to Tahoe Forest Hospital for treatment, the SFGate reports. “This was a very complex operation in total darkness,” the Placer County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement. Authorities praised the teamwork among all responding agencies for the successful outcome.
