California Avalanche

An investigation has found that nine backcountry skiers killed in the deadliest avalanche in modern California history were being guided through dangerous terrain when safer routes were available. It also says the group was large enough to increase the risk of being caught in a deadly slide. The report of the Sierra Avalanche Center was released Saturday. It questions decisions made by group leaders with Blackbird Mountain Guides. It says the group was traveling beneath an avalanche path after intense snowfall made a slide more likely. Investigators also said the skiers were traveling in a tightly packed line but should have been spaced out to reduce the risk.