Avalanche Kills Snowmobiler

Tom Darby

Truckee, Cal. — One person was killed in an avalanche near Johnson Peak and Castle Peak on Monday afternoon, prompting a multi-agency search and rescue response in the Truckee area, according to the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office.

Approximately 45 personnel responded after the Nevada County Regional Dispatch Center received a 911 call at 2:19 p.m., transferred from Washoe County’s emergency communications center. The caller reported a possible avalanche involving a group of snowmobilers, with one individual initially unaccounted for.

The Nevada County Sheriff’s Office, Truckee Fire, and North Truckee Fire responded to the scene. A helicopter was requested, but was unavailable due to conditions.

At the time of the call, Nevada County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue (NCSSAR) teams were assisting the Placer County Sheriff’s Office with a separate missing person investigation. Crews deployed three SnoCats, three snowmobile teams, and multiple ski teams to help with the rescue effort.

Authorities later confirmed that the snowmobiler initially reported missing had been located buried beneath the snow several minutes after the avalanche. After digging the man from the snow, and despite life-saving efforts, he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Chris Scott Thomason, 42, of Bend, Oregon, was publicly identified following notification of next of kin.

Investigators said the incident began when a group of five experienced snowmobilers set out for the day from the Johnson Canyon area and traveled toward Castle Peak. The group was well-prepared for backcountry travel, wearing appropriate safety equipment, including avalanche beacons and transceivers.

Two members of the group were local to the area. The remaining three, including Thomason, were visiting from Bend.

On the return trip from Castle Peak, an avalanche was triggered on the backside of the mountain, burying Thomason. The group immediately located his beacon and began digging him out.

After recovering Thomason from the snow and life-saving measures started, three snowmobilers, including an off-duty Truckee Fire medic, took over and led advanced emergency care.

Despite rapid response, safety precautions, and what authorities described as high-level CPR, Thomason did not survive.

Search efforts concluded the evening of Jan. 5. The Nevada County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that all other individuals known to be in the area have been accounted for and are safe.