Search and rescue teams following tracks in a remote area near Northstar Ski Resort have found that the tracks belonged to a bear and not missing Truckee resident Rory Angelotta.
Teams were out until after 9 p.m. Tuesday working on a tip of fresh tracks, Placer County police reported. "Unfortunately, the tracks belonged to a bear," they announced in a tweet.
Angelotta was reported missing after failing to show up to Christmas dinner with friends Saturday. His ski pass was scanned at Northstar ski resort's Comstack lift at approximately 11:30 a.m. An emergency ping on Angelotta's phone showed he made a short call from the Northstar area at 11:25 a.m. before it was turned off.
Despite extreme weather conditions, investigators are conducting a search of the mountain and surrounding areas. Nevada Air National Guard has deployed a Blackhawk with forward looking infrared to aid search and rescue during the snowstorm.
"Rescue personnel were on skis, snowmobiles, and a snowcat during their search. They faced high avalanche danger, strong winds, whiteout flurries, frigid temperatures and heavy snow loads," officials said.
Angelotta is an experienced skier and is thought to have avalanche equipment. He was last believed to be wearing a navy blue Fly Low jacket, blue helmet and black goggles.
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