Deadly Castle Peak Avalanche Claims Nine Lives: All Victims Recovered and Identified. 3 men and 6 women

February 22, 2026 – Truckee, CA--Tragedy struck the backcountry near Lake Tahoe when a massive avalanche claimed the lives of nine members of a guided skiing group in the Castle Peak area northwest of Truckee, marking one of the deadliest avalanches in modern California history.

The Nevada County Sheriff's Office confirmed on Saturday, February 21, 2026, that all nine deceased individuals have been recovered from the avalanche site after hazardous weather delayed operations. Sheriff Shannan Moon announced the names during a press conference, ending a multi-day recovery effort involving nearly 100 personnel from multiple agencies.

The victims are:

Andrew Alissandratos, 34, of Verdi, Nevada (Blackbird Mountain Guides guide)

Carrie Atkin, 46, of Soda Springs, California

Nicole Choo, 42, of South Lake Tahoe, California (Blackbird Mountain Guides guide)

Lizabeth “Liz” Clabaugh, 52, of Boise, Idaho

Michael Henry, 30, of Soda Springs, California (Blackbird Mountain Guides 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

Three of the deceased—Alissandratos, Choo, and Henry—were professional guides with Blackbird Mountain Guides, the Truckee-based company leading the trip. The other six were clients, many of whom were described by families as close friends, mothers, and experienced skiers with longstanding bonds, some dating back to college. Families previously released a joint statement identifying six of the women (Atkin, Clabaugh, Keatley, Morse, Sekar, and Vitt), noting that Clabaugh and Sekar were sisters.

The incident occurred on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, around 11:30 a.m., during the final day of a three-day backcountry skiing expedition. The group of 15—four guides and 11 clients—had been staying at the remote Frog Lake huts since February 15 and was heading back to the trailhead when the slide hit in steep, north-facing terrain near Frog Lake and Perry Peak (east of Castle Peak) at approximately 8,200–8,300 feet elevation.

The avalanche, classified as D2.5 (capable of burying or killing people), struck amid a powerful winter storm that brought up to 40 inches of snow to nearby areas since Monday, along with gale-force winds, near-zero visibility, and extreme cold. The Sierra Avalanche Center had issued a HIGH avalanche warning for the Central Sierra Nevada, including the Lake Tahoe region, citing an unstable snowpack with weak layers and rapid new snowfall.

Six survivors (one guide and five clients) were located and rescued late Tuesday evening after sheltering under a makeshift tarp for hours. They were extracted via ski teams and SnoCat vehicles in blizzard conditions. Two survivors required hospital treatment; one was released overnight, and the other was expected to be released shortly after.

Nevada County Sheriff's Office Via Storyful

Searchers looking for victims in the snow.

Rescue shifted to recovery mode as high avalanche risk and weather prevented immediate access. Bodies were initially marked with poles, with recoveries completed over several days using aerial support, including contributions from the California Highway Patrol and National Guard.

Blackbird Mountain Guides has expressed profound grief, confirming the loss of three team members and cooperating fully with authorities. The company previously posted warnings about unstable conditions but faces questions about the decision to proceed given the forecast. Investigations continue, including potential involvement from Cal/OSHA.

This event surpasses previous incidents in the region in terms of fatalities among backcountry skiers and follows other recent snow-related deaths near Lake Tahoe. Highways like Interstate 80 and Highway 50 faced storm-related impacts, and officials continue to urge the public to avoid avalanche-prone backcountry areas and heed forecasts.

The Nevada County Sheriff's Office, in coordination with partners, is leading the ongoing investigation. Our thoughts remain with the families and the tight-knit mountain community affected by this devastating loss. The Santa Monica Observer will provide further updates as they become available.