Avalanche near Castle Peak: What we know so far about the deadliest slide in California history
What began as a three-day backcountry ski trip to remote huts near Donner Pass ended in catastrophe Tuesday when a powerful avalanche swept through the group, killing eight people and leaving one missing. As storms delay recovery and investigators examine the decisions that preceded the slide, communities from Mill Valley to Tahoe are grieving.
Here’s what we know so far.
8 confirmed dead, 1 missing, recovery stalled by storms as investigators examine guiding decisions
TRUCKEE — A guided group of 15 backcountry skiers set out for the remote Frog Lake huts near Castle Peak on what was supposed to be a three-day Sierra adventure.
By Tuesday afternoon, eight people were dead, one more was missing and presumed dead, and six survivors were being evacuated in whiteout conditions after a football field-sized avalanche tore through steep terrain near Donner Pass.
The disaster is the deadliest avalanche in California since 1982 and ranks as the worst in state history. Blizzard conditions have slowed recovery efforts, and state workplace safety officials have opened an investigation into the guiding company that led the trip.
The victims
Six of the eight confirmed victims were identified Thursday afternoon:
- Carrie Atkin
- Liz Clabaugh
- Danielle Keatley
- Kate Morse
- Caroline Sekar
- Kate Vitt
They lived in the Bay Area, Idaho and the Truckee-Tahoe region, according to a statement from their families.
“We are devastated beyond words,” the families said. “Our focus right now is supporting our children through this incredible tragedy and honoring the lives of these extraordinary women.”
The women were described as experienced backcountry skiers who “deeply respected the mountains” and were fully equipped with avalanche safety gear.
Two additional people who died have not yet been publicly identified. One person remains missing and is presumed dead.
Authorities have said they will not formally confirm identities until the bodies are recovered.
A community in mourning
In San Francisco’s Bernal Heights, neighbors described Caroline Sekar as the “brightest, sunniest and most positive person — an amazing mom.”
During the pandemic, she helped organize block movie nights and created a WhatsApp group so parents could track where their children were playing.
“The way it works with all these kids around the same ages is like, if you’re mom to one, you’re mom to all,” said neighbor Jen Wofford.
Carrie Atkin, a Harvard graduate and business coach who moved to Soda Springs during the pandemic, was remembered by friends as thoughtful, grounded and authentic.
“Everyone she touched in her life benefited,” said Amy Lauer, a longtime collaborator. “She made the planet a better place.”
Some of the victims were parents of children in Sugar Bowl’s competitive ski program, sending shock waves through Tahoe’s tight-knit ski community.
Read more: Sugar Bowl ski community reeling after avalanche victims identified as mothers of youth racers
What happened
The group had spent two nights at the Frog Lake huts and was returning to the trailhead Tuesday morning when the avalanche struck.
Nevada County Sheriff Shannan Moon said someone shouted “Avalanche!” moments before the group was overtaken.
Rescuers later described a debris field roughly the size of a football field.
Six people survived, including one of the four guides leading the trip. Two were treated at a hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.
Survivors used an iPhone SOS feature to alert emergency responders.
Read more: Deadliest avalanche in state history kills 8 near Donner Pass; storm stalls recovery
Recovery efforts stalled by extreme weather
Storm conditions have repeatedly delayed recovery of the bodies.
Heavy snow, high winds and continued avalanche risk prevented crews from bringing victims down the mountain Wednesday and Thursday. Their locations have been marked with poles.
“That place is hard to get to,” said Wendy Antibus of the Sierra Avalanche Center.
The Tahoe National Forest has closed National Forest lands and trails in the Castle Peak area through March 15 to protect recovery crews.
Gov. Gavin Newsom said Thursday that “some of my wife’s family friends” were linked to the tragedy.
Avalanche danger was high
The Sierra Avalanche Center issued a “high” avalanche danger warning for the central Sierra Nevada at 5 a.m. Tuesday, hours before the slide.
The warning was later extended.
Days earlier, Blackbird Mountain Guides — the company leading the trip — had posted a video on Instagram warning that recent dry spells followed by new snow had created a “particularly weak layer” in the snowpack that could lead to “unpredictable avalanches.”
Read more: Guide company warned of unstable snowpack days before deadly slide
State investigators probe guiding company after deadly slide
The trip was led by Truckee-based Blackbird Mountain Guides.
Three of the four guides on the excursion were among those killed.
Founder Zeb Blais said all guides were certified in avalanche safety and were trained or certified through the American Mountain Guides Association and the American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education.
“There is still a lot that we’re learning about what happened,” Blais said. “It’s too soon to draw conclusions.”
The California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) has opened an investigation into the incident and the role of guides working for the company. The agency has up to six months to determine whether workplace safety violations occurred.
Sheriff Moon said there were “great questions” about the company’s guiding decisions.
Read more:
• Tour company says guides were certified
• How one backcountry guide narrowly missed being on the trip
What remains unclear
Investigators have not yet determined what triggered the avalanche.
It remains unclear:
- Why the group departed the huts Tuesday as a major winter storm intensified
- Whether guides consulted additional forecasts before beginning their return
- What terrain decisions were made in the hours before the slide
Authorities say answers may take time.
A historic disaster
The avalanche is the deadliest in California since the 1982 Alpine Meadows disaster, which killed seven people.
Officials say it ranks among the worst avalanche tragedies in North American history.
Read more: A look at the deadliest avalanches in US history
This story will be updated as more information becomes available.