8 Confirmed Dead, 1 Still Missing After Deadly Tahoe Avalanche Near Castle Peak
Eight people have been confirmed dead and one remains missing following Tuesday’s devastating avalanche near Castle Peak, authorities announced Wednesday.
The avalanche struck around 11:30 a.m. in rugged backcountry terrain north of Interstate 80 as a guided group was exiting a three-day trip to the Frog Lake Huts in the Tahoe National Forest. Fifteen people were part of the tour, including four guides.
According to the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office, six individuals survived and were rescued Tuesday evening after an intense, hours-long response in whiteout conditions. Two suffered injuries and were transported to the hospital. Both are expected to recover.
Search teams later confirmed eight fatalities in the avalanche debris field, which officials described as roughly the length of a football field. One additional member of the group is still unaccounted for and is presumed deceased based on the circumstances and statements from survivors.
Nearly 50 specialized rescuers from multiple agencies, supported by the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, responded to the scene. However, continued snowfall and unstable snowpack conditions have forced the operation into a recovery phase.
The Sierra Avalanche Center continues to rate avalanche danger as high in the region, warning that the same weak layer that triggered the slide remains in place.
Officials say recovery efforts will resume when conditions allow, with safety of rescuers as the top priority.
