A frantic search was underway for ten back-country skiers missing in an avalanche in the mountains of California, where a huge storm dumped heavy snow.
Officials say a group of 16 people - four guides and 12 clients - were caught up in the avalanche on Castle Peak in the Tahoe area late yesterday morning.
Six have been accounted for, but mountain rescue teams battling treacherous conditions were still trying to reach them while also looking for the others, as snow continued to fall and daylight faded.
"Highly skilled rescue ski teams have departed from both Boreal Mountain Ski Resort and Tahoe Donner's Alder Creek Adventure Centre to make their way to the six known survivors, who have been directed to shelter in place as best they can in the conditions," the Nevada County Sheriff's department said.
"Rescue efforts remain in progress now with 46 emergency first responders. Weather conditions remain highly dangerous," they added.
A powerful storm packing several metres of snow was continuing to pummel the Sierra Nevada mountain range, with forecasters warning of white-out conditions.
Experts had warned of the danger of avalanches yesterday, with the risk expected to extend into today.
The National Weather Service said parts of the Sierra above 1,000 metres could see up to 2.4 metres of snow over the next 48 hours, with gusts of wind as strong as 90km an hour.
