Featured Image: Cody Mathison, Courtesy of Mammoth Mountain
A massive storm has enveloped the Sierra Nevada Mountains, with Mammoth reporting six feet of snow in the last 36 hours at the summit. With intense winds and moisture-laden snow, this storm brings dangerous and unpredictable hazards in the realm of avalanche safety.
Around 11:30 AM on February 14, two ski patrollers at Mammoth Mountain, California, were caught in an avalanche off Lincoln Mountain while conducting avalanche mitigation work. The resort has confirmed that both patrollers were rescued from the area. The first patroller rescued sustained no injuries, while the second patroller was not as lucky and has been flown to another hospital for intensive care.
The resort has released the following statement:
MAMMOTH MOUNTAIN, CA – At approximately 11:30 AM today, two Mammoth Mountain Ski Patrol staff were caught in an avalanche on Lincoln Mountain. The slide occurred during avalanche mitigation work, following a significant Sierra snow storm, where approximately 6 feet of snow fell in the last 36 hours.
The first patroller was recovered at the scene uninjured; the second patroller was transported to Mammoth Hospital with serious injuries and later flown out of the area for further care.
The area was closed to the public at the time of the incident.
The entire mountain and lift operations were closed at 12:00 PM for the day.
No other information is available at the time, but we will continue to update as more becomes known. Our thoughts are with the friends and families of those affected, as well as with all the workers keeping our favorite resorts on their feet during this severe weather.
As a series of large storms continues to roll through the Rockies, hitting California, Utah, Wyoming, Montana, Idaho and Colorado, we urge all skiers to curb their powder fever and think rationally before heading into the backcountry or other dangerous terrain. Always know before you go and live to ride another day.
Read Mammoth’s official press release.
