Nearly a week after a massive avalanche struck the rugged backcountry of California’s Sierra Nevada mountains. Authorities have confirmed the identities of all nine victims who died in what has become the deadliest avalanche recorded in California and among the deadliest in the United States in more than four decades. The devastating event unfolded on the morning of February 17, 2026, near Castle Peak, a remote and scenic area…Nearly a week after a massive avalanche struck the rugged backcountry of California’s Sierra Nevada mountains.
Authorities have confirmed the identities of all nine victims who died in what has become the deadliest avalanche recorded in California and among the deadliest in the United States in more than four decades.
The devastating event unfolded on the morning of February 17, 2026, near Castle Peak, a remote and scenic area north of Lake Tahoe, where a group of backcountry skiers was returning from a multi‑day expedition during severe winter conditions.
What began as a cherished outdoor adventure ended in heartbreaking loss for families, friends, and entire communities across the region.
This comprehensive account details the known facts of the disaster, the people who were lost, the ongoing recovery and investigation efforts, and the profound impact on loved ones and the wider alpine community.
A Day That Turned Tragic: February 17, 2026
On the morning of Tuesday, February 17, a strong winter storm had been sweeping the Sierra Nevada mountains for days, bringing unusually heavy snow and creating unstable conditions high in the backcountry.
Forecasts issued earlier in the week had warned of significant snowfall and elevated avalanche risk along the Sierra crest, including the Castle Peak area.
Around 11:30 a.m. local time, a massive slab of snow broke loose on a slope near Castle Peak, careening down onto a group of skiers who were on the final leg of a three‑day guided backcountry trip.
The avalanche — powerful and swift — swept away members of the group as they skied back toward their trailhead.
Officials later classified the slide on the avalanche danger scale between a D2 and D3, meaning it had enough force to bury, injure, or kill people and even take down buildings — an indication of just how large and destructive the slide was.
The Group and the Expedition
The 15‑person party consisted of 11 clients participating in a guided backcountry ski tour and four professional guides from Blackbird Mountain Guides, an outdoor tour company based in Truckee, California.
The group had stayed at remote Frog Lake huts in the high country for two nights as part of the multi‑day trip.
On the third and final day, they set out to return to the trailhead when the avalanche struck, catching many of them on an open slope during deteriorating weather.
Six members of the party survived the avalanche. They were found sheltering in place and were later rescued by emergency teams despite the ongoing risks posed by additional slides and deep snow. Some survivors were treated for injuries, though all were expected to recover.
The Recovery and Identification of the Victims
In the days that followed the avalanche, rescue crews faced extremely hazardous conditions — white‑out blizzards, ongoing avalanche danger, and deep snow made reaching the site difficult and dangerous.
As a result, authorities shifted their mission from rescue to recovery once it became clear that no additional survivors were present.
By Saturday, February 21, officials announced that the bodies of all nine people killed in the avalanche had been recovered from the slide area.
Helicopters from the California National Guard, the California Highway Patrol, and local agencies were used to hoist the remains off the mountain with the aid of ground crews.
At a press conference, Nevada County Sheriff Shannan Moon confirmed the identities of all nine victims, including three professional guides and six clients.
Their names, ages, and hometowns paint a picture of a diverse group of outdoor enthusiasts and skilled professionals.
Identified victims:
Andrew Alissandratos, 34, of Verdi, Nevada (guide)
Carrie Atkin, 46, of Soda Springs, California
Nicole Choo, 42, of South Lake Tahoe, California (guide)
Lizabeth “Liz” Clabaugh, 52, of Boise, Idaho
Michael Henry, 30, of Soda Springs, California (guide)
Danielle Keatley, 44, of Soda Springs and Larkspur, California
Kate Morse, 45, of Soda Springs and Tiburon, California
Caroline Sekar, 45, of Soda Springs and San Francisco, California
Katherine “Kate” Vitt, 43, of Greenbrae, California
The professional guides — Alissandratos, Choo, and Henry — were trained and certified by reputable guiding and avalanche education organizations, including the American Mountain Guides Association (AMGA) and the American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education (AIARE).
Many of the clients who died were close friends or long‑time companions, several of whom lived in California’s Bay Area, the Truckee‑Tahoe region, and Idaho.
Lives Remembered: Mothers, Friends, Community Members
The six clients who died were described by their families and communities as passionate outdoor enthusiasts, mothers, wives, friends, and deeply cherished figures in their respective circles.
Among them:
Carrie Atkin, 46, known in her community around Soda Springs for her love of skiing and the outdoors.Liz Clabaugh and her sister Caroline Sekar, aged 52 and 45 respectively, were sisters who shared a deep bond and a love of mountain adventures. Their brother described them as “two of the best people I’ve ever known — incredible sisters, mothers, and friends.”
Danielle Keatley, Kate Morse, and Kate Vitt were also central figures in their families and local communities, remembered for their warmth, energy, and dedication to family life and outdoor pursuits.
Many in the group were connected through ski communities and Alpine clubs, including associations with Sugar Bowl Academy, a competitive ski and snowboard community that has expressed deep mourning in the wake of the tragedy.
The Avalanche in Context: A Storm and High Danger
The avalanche struck amid a powerful winter storm that had dumped feet of snow on the Sierra Nevada in the days leading up to the incident.
Meteorologists and avalanche forecasters had warned of unstable snowpack and elevated hazard levels, conditions that make backcountry travel exceptionally risky — even for experienced skiers and guides.
The Sierra Avalanche Center classified the conditions as high danger, meaning that natural or human‑triggered slides of significant size were likely.
Despite these warnings, the group chose to proceed with their descent on the morning of February 17.
Avalanches occur when layers of snowpack become unstable and fail, especially when heavy new snow accumulates rapidly on top of weaker layers.
Friction and bonding between layers can change dramatically during storms, and even experienced backcountry travelers can be caught off guard by these shifts.
Search, Rescue, and Community Response
In the immediate aftermath of the avalanche, more than a dozen local, state, and federal agencies mobilized to conduct search and rescue operations.
Teams equipped with helicopters, snowcats, search beacons, and trained avalanche rescue dogs combed the slide area amid heavy winds and white‑out conditions.
Six survivors were found sheltering under emergency tarps after the slide. Search crews confirmed survivors later that afternoon, though their rescue was delayed until it was deemed safe for first responders to navigate the hazardous terrain. Some survivors required medical attention and were transported to nearby hospitals.
Authorities also closed the Castle Peak area and surrounding public lands to visitors through at least mid‑March to protect rescue crews, allow ongoing investigations, and prevent additional risk to recreational users.
Investigation and Unanswered Questions
As of the latest updates, the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office and California Occupational Safety and Health Administration (Cal/OSHA) have opened investigations to better understand the circumstances that led to the tragedy.
Part of that review includes whether any decisions or conditions constituted negligence, especially given public avalanche warnings issued before the trip.
Officials stressed it is too early to draw conclusions about liability, as investigators are still collecting evidence and statements.
Family members of the victims have also expressed that many questions remain unanswered — including why the trip was undertaken under heightened risk conditions, and what could be done to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
Impact on Families and Communities
In the days since the avalanche, family statements released to the press have underscored the profound grief and loss experienced by loved ones.
One shared statement described the victims as “devastated beyond words,” highlighting their deep connections — not just as skiers but as **mothers, wives, daughters, friends, and pillars of their families and communities.”
Communities across Northern California, Idaho, and the greater Lake Tahoe region have held vigils, shared memories, and offered support to those affected.
Local ski clubs, schools, and outdoor groups have emphasized the importance of both celebrating the lives lost and remembering the inherent dangers of mountain travel when conditions are treacherous.
A Tragic Reminder of Nature’s Power
The Castle Peak avalanche serves as a sobering reminder of the immense force of nature and the risks that accompany backcountry recreation, even for seasoned skiers with professional guidance.
Avalanches can strike unpredictably, and rapidly changing weather conditions can turn a routine descent into catastrophe within moments.
Experts urge backcountry travelers to consult daily avalanche forecasts, carry proper safety gear including beacons, probes, and shovels, and make decisions based on careful risk assessment rather than schedule pressure or experience alone.
Yet for the families and friends of those lost in the Castle Peak disaster, no amount of preparation could prevent the grief felt across communities united by love for the mountains and the outdoors.Conclusion — Remembering Those Lost
Nine lives were tragically cut short in the avalanche near Castle Peak — lives that encompassed vibrant families, dedicated professionals, passionate outdoor enthusiasts, and deeply loved community members. Their identities have now been shared publicly, and recovery operations have concluded.
As investigations continue and families mourn, the story serves both as a memorial to those who died and as a powerful reminder of the unpredictable hazards of winter terrain.
The legacy of those lost — mothers, friends, guides, and adventurers — lives on in the memories of loved ones and the broader outdoor community they helped shape.
