9 Identified in Deadliest Avalanche in California History Near Tahoe
Northern California’s mountain community is mourning after the deadliest avalanche in state history claimed nine lives near Castle Peak, just outside the Lake Tahoe Basin.
The avalanche struck late morning on Feb. 17 as a guided group wrapped up a three-day Presidents Day weekend trip to the Frog Lake huts. Blizzard conditions that followed made rescue efforts dangerous and delayed crews from reaching the remote site for hours. In the days since, the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office confirmed all nine victims have been recovered and identified.
Among those killed were three guides with Blackbird Mountain Guides: Andrew Alissandratos, 34, of Verdi; Michael Henry, 30, of Tampa Bay; and Nicole “Niki” Choo, 42, of South Lake Tahoe. Alissandratos and Henry were seasoned Sierra guides. Choo balanced her mountain pursuits with a career in tech and business development, earning admiration in both worlds.
Six clients on the trip also lost their lives. Carrie Atkin, 42, of South Lake Tahoe; Danielle Keatley, 44, of Marin County; Kate Morse, 45, of Marin County; Caroline Sekar, 45, of San Francisco; Kate Vitt, 43, of Marin County; and Liz Clabaugh, 52, of Boise were longtime friends. In a family statement, they were described as devoted mothers, wives and accomplished backcountry skiers who cherished time together in the mountains.
Six others survived the slide, including one guide and five clients.
Search teams traveled by snowcat and skis to access the avalanche zone, navigating continued storm hazards. Officials said the group was equipped with avalanche safety gear and had professional guidance.
The tragedy comes during a brutal stretch in the Sierra. Since early February, 14 people have died in ski-related incidents around the Tahoe region. Authorities are urging backcountry travelers to check avalanche forecasts, respect resort boundaries and approach the mountains with heightened caution.
For many across Northern California, the loss is deeply personal — a reminder of both the power of the Sierra and the tight-knit community that calls it home.
