Two ski patrollers were injured during an avalanche mitigation operation at Mammoth Mountain yesterday morning. According to ABC10, the incident occurred on Lincoln Mountain around 7:30 a.m., before the area was open for skiers. The resort has received over five feet of snow since Tuesday, setting the stage for potential avalanches.
The effort to stabilize the snowpack is critical, yet it sometimes to directly put the patrollers in harm's way. After the avalanche, both ski patrollers were rushed to Mammoth Hospital. "One patroller had serious injuries and is being taken out of the area for further care," said a Mammoth Mountain spokesperson to ABC10. The other patroller was being assessed for possible broken bones.
Mammoth Mountain officially ceased operations for the remainder of that day due to the increased avalanche risk. Per CBS News, the resort's website predicted an additional 12 to 18 inches of snow with accompanying wind gusts reaching up to 55 mph, further exacerbating the situation.
At 11,053 feet, Mammoth Mountain is the tallest lift-served resort in California, according to CBS News. The resort, which borders Yosemite National Park in the eastern Sierra Nevada mountains, is faced with the constant challenge to ensure the safety of its guests while battling the unpredictable elements. Lincoln Peak, where the avalanche occurred, is known for its avalanche chutes on the northern face, a geomorphic testament to ancient landslides leaving behind a striking horseshoe-shaped bowl.
