Posted on 02/20/2026 5:20:23 PM PST by Libloather
Rescuers are currently weighing the idea of setting off explosives in order to trigger additional avalanches on the mountain where at least eight skiers were killed.
The Nevada County Sheriff’s Office has been unable to recover the bodies of the dead skiers since the horrific avalanche Tuesday. In order to make conditions safer for rescuers, officials will now take to the air to decide whether or not they can manually trigger avalanches with explosives.
“The objective of the aerial surveys is to visually assess the conditions of the avalanche scene and snowpack as well as to make determinations if controlled avalanche mitigation may be possible at some point. Controlled avalanche mitigation consists of pre-planned explosive deployment to intentionally release unstable snowpack,” a statement from the sheriff’s office said.
“These proactive measures are designed to reduce the risk of naturally occurring avalanches and enhance first responder safety within the affected area, so they may recover victims with lower risk.”
The recovery process has been delayed by inclement weather and the fear of additional avalanches in the area. While eight skiers are confirmed dead, there’s at least one more missing and presumed dead.
(Excerpt) Read more at nypost.com ...
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Eight dead?! Wow. First I have heard of this.
but global warming
They should have used the explosives before the skiing took place.
Maybe they shouldn’t have been there in the first place.
“They should have used the explosives before the skiing took place.”
They were in the backcountry, so...
Oh.
Officials probe possible criminal negligence after deadly avalanche near Lake Tahoe
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/lake-tahoe-avalanche-california-skiers-possible-criminal-negligence/
“First I have heard of this.”
Think they are all women too. Very high class ladies and experienced skiers. Terrible for their families.
RIP
.
Tragic that they still
Can’t be Recoverd.
If you go off-piste or deep into the backcountry you are pretty much on your own. There are usually warning signs posted... and they are just as usually ignored by the more experienced and adventurous.
Give the illegals some some snow shovels and put them to work doing the work that Americans won’t do.
👍
They're not rescuers now.
This was back country skiing. Not managed slopes.
Not smart.
My son lives in Colorado and was going snowboarding today. I thought about this and felt a little worried because of this.
But...he will do it anyway because that is what he does. I told him to be careful and enjoy himself.
It’s ski week in California. If you don’t go to Tahoe, you’re a nobody.
(I’m glad my kid is a nobody.)
Have a nephew who did backcountry skiing for several years. Gave it up due to several people in their group becoming overconfident and too much risk taking. They had to pull people out of tree wells on a couple of occasions.
Me (and my knees) are perfectly happy with sticking to the bunny slopes.
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