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‘They were mothers, wives, friends’: how a ski trip turned deadly in the California mountains
| United Kingdom | politics | ✓ Verified - theguardian.com

‘They were mothers, wives, friends’: how a ski trip turned deadly in the California mountains

#avalanche disaster #Castle Peak #backcountry skiing #Blackbird Mountain Guides #Sierra Nevada #avalanche safety #Lake Tahoe #California avalanche

📌 Key Takeaways

  • Eight skiers killed, one missing in California's deadliest avalanche in modern history
  • Group of experienced backcountry skiers caught in avalanche during heavy storm while returning from three-day expedition
  • Six survivors rescued after building shelter; three victims found by survivors, five by rescue teams
  • Victims described as passionate skiers, mostly mothers and friends from Bay Area, Idaho, and Lake Tahoe

📖 Full Retelling

Eight members of a backcountry ski group from the Bay Area, Idaho, and Lake Tahoe area were killed and one remains missing after a devastating avalanche struck Castle Peak, a 9,110-foot mountain north of the Donner summit in California's Lake Tahoe region on February 17, 2025, during a heavy winter storm as the group was returning from a three-day expedition. The disaster unfolded when the avalanche buried approximately half of the 15-person group, though one had backed out of the trip last minute. Rescue teams faced treacherous conditions with 28 inches of snow already fallen and 3 more feet expected, forcing officials to plead with the public to stay off the mountains to allow focused recovery efforts. Six survivors were found after building a shelter from tarps and managing to uncover three bodies of their companions, while first responders located five additional victims, with one still unaccounted for. The group, led by Blackbird Mountain Guides, had spent two nights at upscale Frog Lake ski huts before attempting to return during deteriorating weather conditions. Among the deceased were eight women described as mothers, wives, and friends who shared a passion for skiing, including three experienced guides from the expedition company. The tragedy marks the fourth deadliest avalanche in US history and has left communities in mourning, particularly in Mill Valley where some victims were residents, and school districts are preparing to support children who lost their mothers.

🏷️ Themes

Avalanche Safety, Outdoor Recreation Risks, Climate Impacts, Community Tragedy

📚 Related People & Topics

Castle Peak

Topics referred to by the same term

Castle Peak may refer to:

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Lake Tahoe

Lake Tahoe

Lake in California and Nevada, United States

Lake Tahoe () is a freshwater lake in the Sierra Nevada of the Western United States, straddling the border between California and Nevada. Lying at 6,225 ft (1,897 m) above sea level, Lake Tahoe is the largest alpine lake in North America, and at 122,160,280 acre⋅ft (150.7 km3) it trails only the fi...

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Sierra Nevada

Sierra Nevada

Mountain range in the United States

The Sierra Nevada ( see-ERR-ə nih-VA(H)D-ə) is a mountain range in the Western United States, between the Central Valley of California and the Great Basin. The vast majority of the range lies in the state of California, although the Carson Range spur lies primarily in Nevada. The Sierra Nevada is pa...

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Entity Intersection Graph

Connections for Castle Peak:

🌐 Sierra Nevada 2 shared
🌐 California 1 shared
👤 Nevada County 1 shared
🌐 Lake Tahoe 1 shared
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Deep Analysis

Why It Matters

The Castle Peak avalanche killed eight people, including mothers, wives and friends, making it one of the deadliest in US history. It highlights the dangers of backcountry skiing and the impact of extreme winter weather on mountain safety.

Context & Background

  • An avalanche on Castle Peak killed eight of the 16 people in a backcountry ski group, leaving six survivors.
  • The storm dropped 66 inches of snow over three days, creating unstable, heavy snow conditions.
  • Investigations have begun to determine whether criminal charges are warranted and to assess safety practices.

What Happens Next

Investigations by the Nevada county sheriff’s office and Cal/Osha will continue to determine causes and potential charges. Authorities are urging the public to stay off the Sierra during the ongoing storm, and support is being provided to families and survivors.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many people were in the original group?

The original group consisted of 16 people, including 12 clients and 4 guides.

What caused the avalanche?

Heavy snow on a weak, warm base layer, combined with high winds and a severe storm, created unstable conditions that triggered the avalanche.

Are investigations ongoing?

Yes, the Nevada county sheriff’s office and Cal/Osha have opened investigations to determine if criminal charges are warranted.

Original Source
‘They were mothers, wives, friends’: how a ski trip turned deadly in the California mountains A picture is emerging of one of the worst avalanche disasters in US history, and the women among a tight-knit group of friends who died The ringing of a phone echoed through the Nevada county, California , sheriff’s office just before noon on 17 February. The 911 call brought devastating news: an avalanche had occurred on nearby Castle Peak – a 9,110ft (2,780-meter) mountain north of the Donner summit in the Lake Tahoe area. A group of backcountry skiers had been on the mountainside, returning home from a three-day expedition, during a heavy winter storm. While six had survived, more than half their group was missing. The ensuing rescue mission in harrowing conditions would bring those six home. In the additional days since the disaster unfolded, family and friends have shared glimpses of the tight-knit group of women, all experienced skiers, whose backcountry excursion took a deadly turn, becoming one of the worst avalanche disasters in US history. After receiving the emergency call, the sheriff’s office quickly marshaled a team of 46 first responders. But the conditions outside remained treacherous. The University of California, Berkeley’s Central Sierra Snow Lab, near Donner Pass, reported 28in of snow that day, with another 3ft expected in the next two days. The risk of another avalanche occurring during the rescue effort was high. At first, the sheriff’s office believed 16 people had been in the group trapped on the mountainside: 12 clients and four guides with an expedition group called Blackbird Mountain Guides. But when they arrived on the scene, Blackbird told them that one person had decided to back out of the trip “last minute”, according to the Nevada county sheriff Shannan Moon. Among the missing was the spouse of one of the search-and-rescue volunteers. The Blackbird group had been on a backcountry ski trip, sleeping two nights at the Frog Lake ski huts – upsc...
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Source

theguardian.com

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