Search for experienced skier from Richmond continues at Bear Valley

ALPINE COUNTY, Calif. - Authorities in Alpine County are looking for a Richmond man who went missing following a day of skiing at the Bear Valley Mountain Resort on Wednesday.

Thomas Mullarkey, 65, was reporting missing by his wife on Wednesday at 11:30 p.m. after he failed to return to their cabin in Arnold, according to the Alpine County Sheriff's Office.

The sheriff's office was able to locate Mullarkey's car at the resort Wednesday but could not initially search the surrounding area in darkness due to extreme avalanche danger.

On Thursday, members of the Calaveras County Search and Rescue, Alpine County Search and Rescue, sheriff's office personnel, the resort ski patrol, and Air National Guard and California Highway Patrol helicopters searched the area, but were not able to locate Mullarkey.

Due to low visibility, wind and show, the helicopters were grounded almost immediately.

The search continued on Friday, but Mullarkey had not been located as of Friday night. Several people are spending their Saturday continuing the search, many waiting for weather conditions to improve later in the day Saturday.

He is described as a white man, 5 feet 8 inches tall, approximately 150 pounds, with gray hair and blue eyes.

Authorities said Mullarkey is known to be an advanced skier and in good health.