On Saturday March 15th at 6:30pm the Tahoe Nordic Search and Rescue team was activated in response to a missing skier off the backside of Alpine Meadows.

The MP initially called Alpine patrol asking for help. They sent a patrol team out but didn’t find him and return to the resort. Alpine patrol called 911 requesting TNSAR.

The daughter of missing person phoned a TNSAR member and provided a heads up the search was coming our way and the MP’s mobile phone number was provided. TNSAR was able to connect with the missing person and walk him through how to “drop a pin” and share his location. Soon after we received his location putting him about 2 miles South of Ward Peak, near Bear Pen Creek.

Nordic One (four skiers), two of which just concluded their patrol shift at alpine meadows beginning at 04:30, were provided a ride to the top of Ward Peak and headed into the backcountry to the provided coordinates.

Meanwhile Alpine Patrol provided a Snowcat ride for Nordic three (four skiers) and Nordic Seven (five snowmobilers) followed to the top of Ward Peak.

Weather conditions were absolutely perfect, clear skies; no wind and a full moon illuminated the night sky, which aided in the rescue.

Shortly after Nordic three and sevens arrival atop Ward Peak they spotted Nordic one making their way to the MP. Nordic one requested assistance and Nordic three dropped off Ward Peak to aid in the rescue.

Nordic one indicated they had verbal contact with the MP. It took about an hour to navigate the terrain to make visual contact and meet up with the MP at about 2115. The MP was doing fine, provided water and snacks along with a warm layer and a game plan was formed to hike him out.

Nordic three split into two teams. Nordic three headed to stage at Grouse Ridge to rendezvous and Nordic four proceeded to intercept Nordic one to aid in the hike/ski out. About an hour later all the Nordic teams were together. The MP had dropped his skis earlier in the day attempting to climb up the steep terrain and was now struggling to make time/distance in his boots. A TNSAR member switched boots and gave the MP his skis to make the trip out. Meanwhile the TNSAR member now was enjoying the hike out in boots two sizes too small.

The Nordic ski teams and the Nordic sled teams both used aerial flares to hone in on each other’s location to determine a route to meet up. They proved very helpful.

The Nordic teams along with the MP descended from Grouse Rock towards Sherwood chair and were met up by the snowmobilers and Nordic 5 (two skiers) on a high bench just below Grouse Ridge for the final descent to the ICP at Sherwood. Everyone was out of the field and on their way home sometime after 1am.