December 27, 2025 25-738 #48

Two snomobile riders caught in large avalanche above Latopie Lake. At 1132 hours the Team was called to assist snowmobile riders caught in a large avalanche (estimated D3) involving possible multiple injured subjects with unknown burial status above Latopie Lake in the Bridgeport Winter Recreation Area (BWRA).

Rescue base was established at Bryant Field airport in Bridgeport. Operations also requested CHP
helicopter H42 out of Fresno, CA, and they accepted the misson. Battle Born Medevac helicopter from Yerington, NV contacted the Mono County Sheriff’s Office to offer assistance, which was accepted.

Team members responded with rescue gear including the Team’s mountain snowmobiles. Battle Born was first on scene and was able to land and assess. It was determined that one individual (out of a group of seven) was partially buried and trapped under his machine in a shallow section of Latopie Lake. Bystanders and Battle Born personnel were able to extricate the rider and Battle Born transported him to Renown Hospital in Reno, NV. The other individual caught in the slide was uninjured and rode double with another rider back to the trailhead.

Northeast facing slope above Latopie Lake

The slide broke the ice on Latopie Lake. Note the tracks across the lake and above and on both sides of the slide area

Aerial view of slide area. Image by CHP H42 crew.

Aerial view from another angle

The resting place for the avalanche subject’s machine. Image from the Bridgeport Avalanche Center.

As the Team was gearing up at Bryant Field, CHP H42 arrived at Latopie Lake to continue response if needed. After determining the scene was clear of other subjects in need, H42 departed the area. The rest of the party elected to return to the BWRA parking lot via their snowmobiles.

The operation was terminated at 1312 hours.

IC: Pelechowski Ops Leader: Beck Responders: Huizingh, Gerber, Creager, Barker, Irving-Ruffing