TRUCKEE, CA — With heavy hearts, family, friends, and the wider outdoor community mourn the tragic loss of Chris Scott Thomason, a beloved 42-year-old from Bend, Oregon, whose life was taken far too soon in a backcountry avalanche near Castle Peak.
Search efforts concluded on the evening of January 5, bringing clarity to an incident that has deeply affected all who love the mountains and the spirit of adventure they inspire. Authorities have confirmed that all other individuals known to be in the area have been accounted for and are safe. There are no additional victims.
Chris was part of a close-knit group of five experienced snowmobilers who set out that day from the Johnson Canyon area for a planned ride to Castle Peak. The group was well-prepared, knowledgeable, and equipped for backcountry travel, wearing proper protective gear and avalanche beacons. Two members of the group were local to the area, familiar with the terrain, and trained in emergency response, while the remaining three—including Chris—were visiting from Bend, Oregon, bringing with them both experience and a shared passion for the outdoors.
On their return journey, tragedy struck when an avalanche was triggered on the backside of the mountain. Chris was buried beneath the snow. Without hesitation, his friends sprang into action, immediately locating his signal through their beacons and digging tirelessly to reach him. CPR was started as soon as he was uncovered, a testament to the courage, training, and love shared among the group.
In a remarkable moment of human solidarity, a separate group of three snowmobilers came upon the scene. Among them was an off-duty Truckee Fire medic, who quickly took charge of emergency efforts, coordinating CPR and lifesaving measures alongside Chris’s friends. Despite every precaution taken, every ounce of strength given, and the highest level of emergency care administered under extreme conditions, Chris sadly did not survive.
The Sheriff’s Office has expressed deep gratitude to the nearly 50 individuals who assisted in the rescue and recovery efforts, as well as to the four friends and three Good Samaritans who worked together against overwhelming odds. Their actions reflect the very best of the backcountry community—selfless, brave, and united in moments of crisis.
Chris Scott Thomason will be remembered not for the way he died, but for the way he lived: with adventure in his heart, loyalty to his friends, and a love for the mountains that shaped his life. His passing is a sobering reminder of the power and unpredictability of nature, even for the most prepared and experienced.
As his family, friends, and community grieve this profound loss, may they find comfort in knowing that Chris was surrounded by people who cared deeply for him and fought with everything they had to bring him home. His memory will live on in the snow-covered peaks he loved, in the friendships he cherished, and in the countless lives touched by his journey.
Rest in peace, Chris. You will never be forgotten.
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