Woman Buried in Deadly Palisades Tahoe Avalanche Rescued by Stranger
ICARO Media Group
In a remarkable turn of events, a woman who was buried in an avalanche at Palisades Tahoe resort in Lake Tahoe, California, credits her survival to the help of a stranger. Janet He, who was skiing at the popular resort on Wednesday, found herself swept away by the sudden onslaught of snow.
The avalanche, captured on video by Joseph Lu, resulted in the tragic death of one person in the KT-22 area of Palisades. When Lu realized that his wife, Janet, was missing, panic set in. Desperate to find her, he used his ski pole to frantically search for her and called out her name.
Astonishingly, moments before the avalanche struck, Janet had been right behind her husband. She recounted feeling the ground give way beneath her, causing her to lose balance and be carried away. She tumbled about 200 feet down the mountain and found herself buried in the snow.
Imprisoned beneath the heavy weight of the snow, Janet recalled the fear of suffocation. Luckily, she had a face mask, which allowed her to breathe. Aware that her limited air supply was crucial, she reminded herself to remain calm and conserve energy.
Meanwhile, a skier above noticed Janet's predicament and swiftly took action to rescue her. Offering reassurance, he told her not to worry and promised to help. Janet described this moment as the best thing she had ever heard, as she felt a glimmer of hope amidst the dire situation.
Eventually, with the stranger's assistance, Janet was successfully freed from the snow. Grateful for her life, she took a photo with her rescuer, realizing the magnitude of the situation.
Janet and her husband walked down the mountain unharmed, feeling an overwhelming sense of luck and gratitude. The Palisades Tahoe ski resort, which closed temporarily following the avalanche and launched a search and rescue operation, plans to reopen on Thursday.
The incident serves as a poignant reminder of the inherent risks associated with recreational activities in mountainous areas. Both Janet and Joseph emphasize the importance of respecting the mountains and being mindful of the potential dangers.
This harrowing experience has undoubtedly left a lasting impact on Janet and her husband, prompting them to reflect on the preciousness of life and the value of time. As they continue to process the events that unfolded, their miraculous survival will be a testament to the power of helping one another in times of crisis.
The investigation into the deadly avalanche at Palisades Tahoe is ongoing, with authorities analyzing the factors that contributed to the tragic incident.