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Injured skier rescued off Jobs Peak after avalanche

Kurt Hildebrand
Special to the Sierra Sun

High winds and deep snow challenged an effort to rescue an injured skier who had been buried in a slab avalanche last week.

Two people were backcountry skiing near Jobs Peak, according to a public report submitted to the Sierra Avalanche Center, when one of them was caught in an avalanche.

The skier slid roughly 400 feet, hitting trees on his way down, according to the report, before coming to a stop with his head above the snow.



The skier reportedly suffered a compound fracture to his lower leg and was taken out of the area by Alpine County Search and Rescue, and other local agencies.

The Alpine team carried the skier down the trail through the snow. A National Guard Blackhawk was called in and despite the heavy winds was able to lower a paramedic down and pick the skier up.



The Blackhawk then landed at the Jobs Peak Trailhead, where the skier was transferred to an East Fork ambulance.

Douglas County Search and Rescue Supervisor Sean Thomas said his agency responded along with a dozen people to support Alpine County’s team.

“They made it up to the canyon and brought him down,” Thomas said. “It was an awesome effort on their part.”

Members of the El Dorado Search and Rescue Team also responded to the incident, which was reported around noon Tuesday, Feb. 12.

Sierra Sun staff reporter Justin Scacco contributed to this report. Contact him at jscacco@sierrasun.com.


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