Tragic Castle Peak Avalanche Claims Lives of Six Mothers and Guides in Sierra Nevada Disaster
NEVADA CITY, Calif. — A catastrophic avalanche at Castle Peak near Lake Tahoe has claimed the lives of eight experienced backcountry skiers, with one person still missing, marking the deadliest such incident in the U.S. in decades. Among the confirmed dead are six mothers from the Bay Area, Truckee-Tahoe region, and Idaho, including two sisters who were on a multi-day ski trip with close friends.[1][3]
The disaster unfolded Tuesday around 11:30 a.m. when a massive wall of snow—estimated to be the size of a football field—barreled toward a group of 15 skiers who were nearing the end of a three-day backcountry expedition. The group had been staying in high country huts near Frog Lake, accessible only by challenging trails, as storm warnings intensified over the weekend.[1][3]
Victims Identified as Seasoned Adventurers and Devoted Mothers
Families of the victims released a joint statement Thursday, revealing that the six identified women were all mothers and experienced skiers fully equipped with avalanche safety gear. “We are heartbroken and are doing our best to care for one another and our families in the way we know these women would have wanted,” the statement read, emphasizing their focus on supporting the children left behind.[1][2]
Among them were sisters Caroline Sekar, 45, a mother of two from San Francisco, and Liz Clabaugh, 52, from Boise, Idaho. Their brother, McAlister Clabaugh, shared his devastation with The New York Times: “The idea that they are both gone is, I don’t even know how to put it into words.” The sisters were part of a tight-knit group of college friends who frequently embarked on ski adventures together.[1][3]
One victim was a mother from Greenbrae who worked at SiriusXM, highlighting the personal toll on Bay Area families. The group included parents connected to the elite Sugar Bowl Academy, a Norden-based ski and snowboard school that mourned the loss of community members with “strong connections to Sugar Bowl, Donner Summit, and the backcountry community.” Several were parents of academy students.[1][3]
Guides Among the Dead in Guided Expedition
The trip was guided by four professionals from Truckee-based Blackbird Mountain Guides. Tragically, three of the guides perished. All were trained or certified in backcountry skiing by the American Mountain Guides Association and served as instructors with the American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education, according to company founder Zeb Blais.[3]
One guide survived, along with five other group members—four men and two women aged 30 to 55—who were rescued around 5:30 p.m. Tuesday after a grueling operation in remote, freezing conditions. Rescue efforts involved the Tahoe Nordic rescue team, including one victim’s spouse.[3]
Two other fatalities and the missing person—presumed dead—have not been publicly identified.[1]
Recovery Efforts Halted by Dangerous Conditions
Recovery operations remain suspended due to perilous weather in the Sierra Nevada. A Nevada County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson indicated it could take at least another day, possibly until the weekend, before crews can safely retrieve the bodies and search for the ninth victim. First responders urge the public not to speculate on preventability, with avalanche expert Ethan Green noting, “It’s really just too soon.”[1][2]
Rusty Greene, operations captain for the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office, recounted the moment: Someone yelled ‘Avalanche!’ as the snow surge hit just miles from safety.[3]
Community Mourns as Families Seek Privacy
The tragedy has reverberated through skiing communities, with Sugar Bowl Academy and Blackbird Mountain Guides issuing statements of profound loss. Families, including McAlister Clabaugh’s, have requested privacy to grieve.[1]
This avalanche underscores the inherent risks of backcountry skiing, even for the well-prepared. As recovery awaits safer conditions, the focus remains on honoring the victims’ adventurous spirits and supporting their loved ones.[2][3]
(This article synthesizes reports from multiple sources, including family statements and official updates.)