Nine individuals, comprising three guides and six clients, died in an avalanche near Castle Peak, northwest of Lake Tahoe, California, on Tuesday. The incident occurred during a severe winter storm, engulfing a 15-person backcountry ski group organized by Blackbird Mountain Guides. All nine bodies were recovered by Saturday, following a five-day operation complicated by hazardous weather and persistent avalanche risks. Investigations into the circumstances surrounding the trip are underway.
Avalanche Claims Nine Lives
An avalanche struck a group of 15 backcountry skiers and guides on Tuesday, February 27, in the Castle Peak area, northwest of Lake Tahoe, California. The incident, reported around 11:30 a.m. via a 911 call and emergency beacon alerts, resulted in nine fatalities and six survivors. Search and recovery efforts, which began immediately following the event, concluded on Saturday, March 2, with all nine bodies recovered.
Initial reports indicated varying numbers of missing individuals, but authorities later confirmed the group size as 15. The nine deceased included three guides and six travelers. Six members of the group survived, including one guide and five travelers. Some survivors were hospitalized with injuries and are expected to recover.
Details of the Expedition
The affected group was on a three-day backcountry ski trip organized by Blackbird Mountain Guides, an outdoor tour company based in Truckee, California. The expedition began on Sunday, February 25, and involved overnight stays in huts near Frog Lake in the Tahoe National Forest, an area reopened to the public in 2020. The avalanche occurred on Tuesday morning as the group was returning to a trailhead. Survivors reported that an individual shouted "avalanche" moments before the event.
The six deceased travelers were identified as Carrie Atkin, Lizabeth Clabaugh, Danielle Keatley, Kate Morse, Caroline Sekar, and Katherine Vitt. Ms. Clabaugh and Ms. Sekar were sisters. The three deceased guides were identified as Andrew Alissandratos, Michael Henry, and Nicole Choo. Family members of the travelers described them as experienced and passionate skiers who were familiar with backcountry conditions and avalanche safety equipment.
Severe Weather and Avalanche Warnings
The avalanche occurred amidst a powerful winter storm affecting the Sierra Nevada region, characterized by heavy snowfall, subfreezing temperatures, and gale-force winds. The region experienced 3 to 6 feet of snow accumulation since Sunday, with snowfall rates reaching 3 to 4 inches per hour in some areas on Tuesday.
The Sierra Avalanche Center had issued a "HIGH avalanche danger" warning for the Central Sierra Nevada on Tuesday morning, indicating unstable snowpack conditions due to rapid snowfall on fragile layers.
The Sierra Avalanche Center had issued a high avalanche danger warning for the Central Sierra Nevada, including the Greater Lake Tahoe region, anticipating large natural and human-triggered avalanches. This warning was in effect when the group departed on Sunday and was elevated to a "HIGH avalanche danger" on Tuesday morning, indicating unstable snowpack conditions due to rapid snowfall on fragile layers. Interstate 80 was closed, and several ski resorts near Lake Tahoe were partially or fully closed due to the extreme weather. The avalanche was classified between a D2 and D3 on the avalanche danger scale, with a path estimated to be the length of a football field.
Rescue and Recovery Challenges
Rescue operations were initiated immediately after the avalanche, involving multiple agencies including the Nevada County Sheriff's Office, its Search & Rescue team, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, the California National Guard, and the California Highway Patrol. Rescue crews faced treacherous conditions, including deep snow, high winds, and the persistent threat of additional avalanches, which hindered access to the site. Air support was unavailable on Tuesday due to the severe weather.
Survivors utilized emergency beacons and satellite messaging services to communicate with authorities and sheltered in a treed area while awaiting rescue. They also attempted to locate buried individuals using probes, uncovering three deceased persons. By Friday, recovery efforts included specialized avalanche mitigation techniques, such as controlled explosive deployments and water application, to stabilize the snowpack and ensure the safety of rescue crews. Helicopters from the California National Guard and California Highway Patrol were utilized to hoist the recovered bodies from the mountain. The affected area is expected to remain closed to visitors for several weeks as investigations continue.
Ongoing Investigations
The Nevada County Sheriff's Office has initiated an investigation into the incident, including the decision by Blackbird Mountain Guides to proceed with the trip despite the forecasted severe weather and avalanche warnings. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (Cal/OSHA) has also launched an investigation into the working conditions for the guides employed by Blackbird Mountain Guides, with up to six months to complete its inquiry.
Authorities are examining whether any factors constitute criminal negligence, with the district attorney's office ultimately determining if criminal charges are applicable. Blackbird Mountain Guides has confirmed its cooperation with authorities in the ongoing investigation.
Historical Context and Regional Incidents
The avalanche near Castle Peak is considered the deadliest in California's modern history and the deadliest in the United States since 1981, when 11 climbers died on Mount Rainier, Washington. Annually, 25 to 30 people die in avalanches across the U.S. This incident marks the second fatal avalanche near California's Castle Peak this year, following the death of a snowmobiler in January.
In separate, unrelated incidents, two individuals died in ski accidents at Heavenly Resort's Boulder Lodge on Friday. A 33-year-old man died while skiing on an intermediate trail, and a 58-year-old man experienced a medical emergency. Both were pronounced deceased at the scene, and these incidents remain under investigation.