NORTHSTAR AT TAHOE (CBS SF) – A California Highway Patrol helicopter equipped with high-tech detection equipment began traversing the skies over the Northstar ski area Thursday morning in hopes of receiving a signal from an avalanche safety beacon who may have picked up missing truckee skier Rory Angelotta.
The Placer County sheriff said Angelotta was a skilled skier and reportedly had avalanche gear with her when he disappeared in a snow storm on Saturday.
The search for missing skier Rory Angelotta on @Northstar_CA resumed today. More than 60 employees met today on the first clear day since the search began on Christmas night. CHP will fly the area with a RECCO device to scan a large part of the mountain from above. pic.twitter.com/bA43h0Krty
– Placer Sheriff (@PlacerSheriff) December 30, 2021
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So far, four days of searching in difficult weather conditions have found no trace of Angelotta.
Tracks in deep snow in a remote mountain area had raised hopes on Tuesday, but then found they were being pulled by a bear.
The last of a series of violent winter storms finally moved east early Thursday. As of December 21st, 135 inches – over 11 feet – of snow have fallen at Northstar.
According to the sheriff’s office, friends of Angelotta reported him missing when he failed to show up for Christmas dinner on Saturday night after a day of skiing. Authorities said his car was found in the resort parking lot and his calls went straight to voicemail.
Missing Truckee Skier Rory Angelotta (Placer County Sheriff’s Office)
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The sheriff’s social media accounts announced Tuesday that the Nevada Air National Guard was deploying a pioneering infrared-equipped Blackhawk helicopter to assist searchers in the current extreme weather conditions.
The sheriff’s office said other resources put in to assist with the search were Tahoe Nordic Search and Rescue, Placer County Search and Rescue, Nevada County Search and Rescue, Butte County Search and Rescue, Bay Area Mountain Rescue, Tahoe Backcountry Ski Patrol and Northstar California Ski Patrol.
The social media posts featured videos and pictures of the search efforts.
The search for Rory Angelotta continues today at @Northstar_CA Ski Resort.
The following resources have been provided: https://t.co/IcikqHIOEy#PCSO #LakeTahoe #MissingPerson #PlacerCounty pic.twitter.com/oCSWrQjqVc
– Placer Sheriff (@PlacerSheriff) December 28, 2021
The search for the 43-year-old Truckee resident was hampered by harsh weather conditions that dropped more than four feet of fresh snow. Angelotta was last seen at the Northstar ski resort on Saturday morning.
The investigations have shown that Angelotta’s ski pass was scanned at the Comstockbahn at around 11.30 a.m. No other activity has been recorded on his passport since then.
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“Seekers responded and combed the mountain and surrounding areas despite the extreme weather,” said the Placer County Sheriff’s Department. “Rescuers were on their search with skis, snowmobiles and a snowcat. They were confronted with a high risk of avalanches, strong winds, whiteout thunderstorms, icy temperatures and heavy snow loads. “
