A backcountry ski trip in Northern California turned tragic on Tuesday, resulting in the deadliest avalanche in the state’s recorded history. Eight skiers have been confirmed dead, and a ninth remains unaccounted for and is presumed deceased, according to authorities.
A Community in Mourning
The majority of those who perished were part of a close-knit group of women who regularly met for mountain adventures. Six of the nine victims were friends who had jointly planned the three-day ski trip to the Frog Lake huts. The remaining three were guides with Blackbird Mountain Guides, the company leading the expedition.
Families of the deceased released a statement expressing their devastation. They emphasized the women were mothers, wives, and friends united by a shared love of the outdoors and requested privacy during this difficult time.
The Avalanche and Rescue Efforts
The group was nearing the end of their trip when the avalanche occurred in the Castle Peak area. The slide was estimated to be the size of a football field. Authorities received a distress call around 11:30 a.m. Tuesday and rescued six survivors from the scene around 5:30 p.m. The remains of eight victims have been located, but retrieval has been hampered by ongoing severe weather conditions.
The six survivors—four men and two women—ranged in age from 30 to 55. One of the guides and two women from the original group were among those rescued.
The Victims
The families have identified six of the women who died or are presumed dead as Carrie Atkin, Liz Clabaugh, Danielle Keatley, Kate Morse, Caroline Sekar, and Kate Vitt. Sekar and Clabaugh were sisters, and Vitt was described as a cherished member of her local school community.
Three of the four guides from Blackbird Mountain Guides were also among the deceased. The guides were all certified by the American Mountain Guides Assn. And were instructors with the American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education.
The Trip and Ongoing Investigations
The ski trip to the Frog Lake huts, which costs around $1,500, is described as a way to access challenging backcountry terrain. The huts are owned by the Truckee Donner Land Trust, which warns of dangerous avalanche terrain along the route. The group embarked on the expedition Sunday, despite forecasts of a major winter storm.
Blackbird Mountain Guides stated that their guides maintain communication with senior guides at their base to assess conditions and routing. The company founder, Zeb Blais, urged the public to refrain from speculation while investigations are underway.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened on Tuesday?
An avalanche occurred in the Castle Peak area near Lake Tahoe, resulting in the deaths of eight skiers and leaving one missing and presumed dead.
Who were the victims?
Six of the victims were women who were friends and had planned the trip together. The other three were guides from Blackbird Mountain Guides.
What is being done now?
Authorities are continuing efforts to retrieve the remains of the ninth victim. Investigations are underway to determine the circumstances surrounding the avalanche.
As the investigation continues and communities grieve, questions remain about the factors that contributed to this tragedy and the safety of backcountry skiing.
