Castle Peak avalanche Tahoe: Nine presumed dead after massive Sierra Nevada backcountry ski disaster, investigators probe decision to go out in storm
Nine backcountry skiers died near Castle Peak above Donner Pass on Feb. 17, 2026, when a massive avalanche struck during a Sierra Nevada winter storm, leaving one unaccounted for and prompting an active investigation into trip decisions.
- Deadliest U.S. backcountry avalanche in nearly 50 years: Eight bodies recovered, one person presumed dead, six survivors rescued. (Source: Los Angeles Times)
- Group and guides: Party of 15 — 11 participants and four guides from Blackbird Mountain Guides; victims included experienced skiers, mothers and friends.
- Avalanche warnings: The Sierra Avalanche Center issued a watch that was later upgraded to a warning; investigators will review whether teams had the updated advisory.
- Search and recovery hampered: Storm conditions and deep, unstable snow delayed response; investigators continue reconstructing timelines and decisions.
Key information
Date and place: The avalanche struck near Castle Peak above Donner Pass on Feb. 17, 2026, during a major winter storm (Source: Los Angeles Times).
People involved: The party included 15 people — 11 participants and four guides from Blackbird Mountain Guides, ages roughly 30 to 55, a mix of men and women; families say several victims were experienced backcountry skiers (Source: Los Angeles Times).
Casualties and survivors: Crews recovered eight bodies; one person remained unaccounted for and is presumed dead, bringing the death toll to nine. Six people survived and were rescued about six hours after the avalanche (Source: Los Angeles Times).
Warnings and timing: The Sierra Avalanche Center issued an avalanche watch early Sunday, later upgraded to a warning. Investigators will examine why the party began or continued despite forecasts (Source: Los Angeles Times).
What happened
On the morning of Feb. 17, the group was completing a three-day trek from hut country near Frog Lake and ski-exiting slopes above Donner Pass. A massive slab of snow broke loose and swept the party into remote terrain during a blinding storm. Capt. Russell “Rusty” Greene described the moment when someone yelled “Avalanche!” and a wall of snow — roughly the size of a football field — overtook the skiers. Survivors had little time to react, Greene told investigators (Source: Los Angeles Times).
“Someone yelled ‘Avalanche!’ and a wall of snow overtook the skiers in a blinding storm.” — Capt. Russell “Rusty” Greene
The downed snow carried victims into steep, remote terrain. Storm winds and deep, unstable snow slowed response work. Rescuers found and removed six survivors about six hours after the slide — around 5:30 p.m. — in freezing conditions. With one person still unaccounted for, authorities shifted focus from rescue to recovery (Source: Los Angeles Times).
Victims, community ties and profiles
Families and local officials began naming victims in the days after the avalanche. Several killed were part of a close friend group that had planned the trip. The Los Angeles Times reported six women identified by families: Carrie Atkin, Liz Clabaugh, Danielle Keatley (also reported as Killey), Kate Morse, Caroline Sekar (also reported as Seeker), and Kate Vitt. They lived in the Bay Area, Truckee-Tahoe and Idaho and were described as experienced backcountry skiers, mothers and friends who trained in avalanche safety and carried rescue gear (Source: Los Angeles Times; family video statements).
Some victims had ties to Sugar Bowl Academy on Donner Summit; the academy acknowledged the loss and said it was grieving but did not release full names. Local ski shops and communities in Marin County and Truckee reported shock and sorrow during a busy ski week.
Guiding, planning and the decision to go out
The trip was guided by Blackbird Mountain Guides. Families and the guide service said the trip was organized well in advance, with guides communicating about conditions and routing to base. Blackbird Mountain Guides released a statement calling the event its saddest and asking for privacy while investigations proceed.
Investigators will examine whether guides and group members had current weather and avalanche information before or during their exit, and whether communications from base reached field teams in time. Authorities plan to review timelines, routing choices and on-trip decision-making (Source: Los Angeles Times).
Forecast, warnings and safety context
Avalanche forecasters had alerted the region to high danger. The Sierra Avalanche Center issued an avalanche watch at 6:49 a.m. Sunday warning large avalanches were likely in the next 24 to 48 hours; hours before the slide it upgraded the watch to a warning, meaning avalanches were expected. It is not yet clear whether the guides or group received the upgrade before departing; investigators will examine advisory timelines and communication (Source: Los Angeles Times).
Search, rescue and recovery challenges
The same storm that produced the avalanche hindered rescue and recovery: deep, unstable snow and strong winds made access to the slide zone difficult and dangerous. By the time rescuers reached the area, six survivors had been located and brought out in extremely cold conditions. Recovery of bodies proceeded as weather allowed.
Nevada County Sheriff Shannan Moon and Capt. Greene said the speed and scale of the avalanche gave victims little time to use safety gear. Investigators will reconstruct the trip timeline, communications, gear use and spacing to learn what happened and whether different choices would have changed the outcome (Source: Los Angeles Times).
Community response and grief
The loss has shaken towns across the northern Bay Area, Truckee and other parts of the Sierra. Families described grief as “beyond words” and asked for privacy. Schools, outdoor groups and businesses posted messages of mourning and support. Local outfitters and rental shops reported a heavy, subdued atmosphere in the days after the incident.
Community leaders expect renewed conversations about safety, training and how to share critical weather information for backcountry trips. Vigils, support sessions and increased demand for mental health and grief counseling are likely in affected communities.
Investigation and outstanding questions
Nevada County officials emphasized this is an active investigation. Investigators will review:
- whether guides and participants had access to the latest avalanche advisory and when they received updates;
- routes taken and whether they exposed the group to high-risk slopes;
- communications between guides, base and participants;
- use and effectiveness of safety gear, group spacing, decision-making practices and timing.
Officials plan a detailed reconstruction of the trip’s timeline and choices to determine contributing factors and recommend safety improvements.
Implications for Sonoma, California
Economic impact
Local outdoor businesses: Sonoma-based outfitters and ski shops may see fewer last-minute bookings as customers reassess risk for Sierra backcountry trips. Rentals and lessons that feed Tahoe travel could dip short-term; demand for formal avalanche training may rise.
Tourism and travel: Alpine resort visits may remain steady, but guided hut trips and backcountry tours could see a short-term decline. Local guides linked to Bay Area networks may face cancellations (Source: Los Angeles Times).
Political and social effects
Policy pressure: Local policymakers may be asked to review public safety outreach, increase funding for avalanche forecasting and search-and-rescue teams, and expand avalanche education programs for Bay Area residents heading to Tahoe.
Social effects: Many Sonoma residents lost friends or family ties in the slide. Outdoor groups, schools and parent networks may hold vigils and support sessions. Clubs and travel groups may tighten pre-trip planning rules, require formal safety briefings and mandate real-time weather checks before large backcountry outings (Sources: Los Angeles Times; family video statements).
Practical applications for residents
- Training and gear: Consider taking or renewing avalanche safety courses; carry and practice with beacons, probes and shovels; travel with partners who have recent avalanche-rescue experience.
- Trip planning: Assign a single person to monitor weather updates, check the Sierra Avalanche Center advisories before heading out, and set clear turnaround rules.
- Guide and club policy: Local guide services and clubs may adopt stricter pre-trip checklists and require real-time advisory checks for all hut and backcountry trips.
Sources and further reading
– Los Angeles Times: “Sierra avalanche disaster: Victims were mothers, adventurers, sisters”
– Family video statements and local reporting (YouTube)
Investigators continue to piece together the timeline and decisions that led to the Castle Peak avalanche. As families grieve, communities across the Bay Area and the Sierra face hard questions about balancing the love of the mountains with tighter safety practices and clearer communication about avalanche danger.
