UPDATE: The Nevada County Sheriff’s Office has identified the person found deceased in the avalanche as Chris Scott Thomason, 42, of Bend, Oregon. He was part of a group of five friends who were all well-prepared for backcountry exploration, wearing appropriate protective equipment, including avalanche beacons/transceivers. Two in the group are locals who know the area well who were with the three people from Bend. Two in the group are CPR certified, according to the sheriff.

Search efforts have concluded, and all who were known to be in the area have been accounted for.

The sheriff said the incident began when a group of five experienced snowmobilers set off for the day from the Johnson Canyon area (originally reported as Johnson Peak) and made their way successfully to Castle Peak.

On the group’s return from Castle Peak, an avalanche was triggered on the backside of the mountain, burying Thomason. The group immediately tracked Thomason’s beacon and began digging him out. After successfully retrieving him and beginning CPR, another group of three individuals, not affiliated with the group, came across the scene. One of these individuals happened to be an off-duty Truckee Fire medic who immediately began leading emergency efforts and CPR.

Despite the group taking several safety precautions and Thomason receiving high-level CPR, he sadly did not survive the incident.

The Nevada County Sheriff’s Office is thanking the nearly 50 individuals who helped aid this rescue mission, along with the four friends and three Good Samaritans who worked together against all odds.

TRUCKEE, Calif. – The Nevada County Sheriff’s Office has reported that one person was found deceased after an avalanche occurred in the vicinity of Johnson Peak and Castle Peak near Truckee. Emergency responders arrived in the area on Monday, January 5, after it was reported that snowmobilers were in the vicinity of the avalanche and could not locate one person in their group.

The Nevada County Sheriff’s Search & Rescue (NCSSAR) was already in the vicinity when the 2:19 p.m. emergency call came. They had been there on a Placer County missing person’s case and, based on the severity of the situation, moved into searching for a snowmobiler who couldn’t be located.

The sheriff’s office reports that approximately 45 emergency responders were involved from NCSSAR, Tahoe Nordic Search and Rescue, and Truckee Fire and North Truckee Fire. A total of three SnoCats were deployed, along with three snowmobile teams and several ski teams.

As events unfolded, it was learned that the one snowmobiler initially reported missing was found buried under the snow several minutes later. and fellow recreationists recovered him, and despite lifesaving efforts, he did not survive.

His identity is pending next of kin notification. 

The scene remains active as emergency personnel work to safely extract the victim and confirm there are no other victims. Further avalanche activity remains possible; recreationists should avoid the area.

The Nevada County Sheriff’s Office extends its sincere condolences to the family and loved ones impacted by this tragic incident.