Crews Recover All Nine Skiers After Castle Peak Avalanche
All nine bodies were recovered after a five-day search following the Feb. 17 Castle Peak avalanche that stretched about a football field and was rated D2–D3 by the Sierra Avalanche Center.
Overview
Crews recovered the ninth missing skier's body near the other eight on Castle Peak, concluding a five-day search, Nevada County Sheriff Shannan Moon said.
The avalanche struck on Feb. 17 as a 15-person backcountry ski group returned from a three-day guided trip, burying multiple skiers and producing a path about the length of a football field.
Nevada County Sheriff's Office and Cal/OSHA have opened probes to determine whether criminal charges are warranted, and officials praised rescue teams from multiple agencies.
Six members of the 15-person group survived; three of the dead were Blackbird Mountain guides, and the Sierra Avalanche Center rated the slide between D2 and D3.
Officials used helicopters and snowcats in recoveries, mitigated avalanche risk with water drops, and closed the area to visitors until mid-March while investigations continue.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame this as a human-tragedy and rescue narrative: editorial choices (phrases like 'deadliest in modern California history' and 'football-field sized') emphasize scale and urgency, while source content—officials' quotes ('frantic mode') and family statements—supply emotional detail. Coverage privileges official/rescue perspectives and omits deeper industry or safety-context analysis.
Sources (11)
FAQ
The nine victims were all women: Carrie Atkin, Liz Clabaugh, Danielle Keatley, Kate Morse, Caroline Sekar, Kate Vitt, Sarit Laschinsky, and Greg Micek.
The group consisted of 15 backcountry skiers, including Bay Area parents (mostly mothers) of students at Sugar Bowl Academy, a school for competitive skiers, returning from a three-day guided trip.[2]
The Nevada County Sheriff's Office and Cal/OSHA have opened probes to determine if criminal charges are warranted.[story]
Tahoe National Forest issued a closure order effective February 20 through March 15, 2026, which may be rescinded earlier if safety measures are mitigated.[3]
History
3 sources