Lake Tahoe avalanche leaves eight dead during guided backcountry trip
Authorities say the slide near Castle Peak in the Sierra Nevada is the deadliest avalanche in the United States in decades, with one skier still missing and presumed dead.
An avalanche near Castle Peak in the Sierra Nevada has left eight people dead and one missing following a guided backcountry skiing expedition near Lake Tahoe on Tuesday, according to local authorities.
The slide occurred around 11:30 a.m. local time as a group of 15 skiers was returning to camp during a multiday trip. The area, located near Castle Peak in Northern California, is a popular destination for experienced backcountry enthusiasts.
Nevada County Sheriff Shannan Moon said the search operation shifted from rescue to recovery after several hours, as the likelihood of finding additional survivors diminished. Rescuers worked through difficult weather conditions and unstable snowpack to locate victims.
Officials described the incident as the deadliest avalanche in California history and the most lethal in the United States since 1981.
Victims identified by families
Families have publicly identified six of the victims as longtime friends who frequently traveled together. In a joint statement, relatives named Kate Vitt, Carrie Atkin, Danielle Keatley, Kate Morse, and sisters Caroline Sekar and Liz Clabaugh.
The women, many of whom lived in California, Idaho, and the Truckee–Tahoe region, were described by their families as experienced skiers who shared a longstanding bond through outdoor travel.
“Our focus right now is supporting our children through this tragedy and honoring the lives of these women,” the families said in a statement.
Kate Vitt, a Marin County mother of two and former SiriusXM executive, was among those killed. Caroline Sekar, 45, of San Francisco, died alongside her sister Liz Clabaugh, 52, of Boise, who worked as a graduate nurse residency coordinator.
Several members of the group had connections to Sugar Bowl Academy, a competitive ski school community in the region. Executive Director Stephen McMahon said the organization was mourning alongside affected families and offering support.
Ongoing recovery efforts
The avalanche prompted a large-scale response involving Nevada County Search and Rescue, Tahoe Nordic Search and Rescue, and other agencies. Authorities have cited hazardous conditions in the aftermath of the slide, including continued snow instability.
Public access to the Castle Peak area has been closed through mid-March to protect first responders and limit additional risk while recovery efforts continue.
Officials have not yet released further details about the cause of the avalanche. Investigations are ongoing, and authorities have indicated that weather and snowpack conditions will be reviewed as part of the assessment.
The Nevada County Sheriff’s Office said updates will be provided as recovery operations conclude and additional information becomes available.
