Rescue teams in California have concluded recovery operations after locating the ninth and final victim of a catastrophic avalanche that struck the Sierra Nevada mountains. The Nevada County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the completion of search efforts on Saturday following the deadliest US avalanche incident in modern history.
The tragedy unfolded on Tuesday when a guided backcountry skiing expedition on 9,109-foot Castle Peak near Lake Tahoe was engulfed by a massive snow slide. The group consisted of four professional guides and eleven paying clients, six of whom miraculously survived the devastating event.
Despite immediate distress calls from survivors, rescue teams faced extreme operational challenges due to persistent white-out conditions and continuing avalanche risks. Inclement weather throughout the week further complicated recovery efforts, forcing operations to extend through the weekend.
In an official statement, Sheriff Shannan Moon expressed profound grief: ‘There are no words that truly capture the significance of this loss. Our hearts mourn alongside the families of those affected by this catastrophic event.’
Families of six victims have identified them as women who were ‘mothers, wives and friends, all connected through their love of the outdoors.’ According to family statements reported by US media, the victims were ‘passionate, skilled skiers who cherished time together in the mountains,’ while many questions about the tragedy remain unanswered.
The incident now stands as one of the most lethal avalanche events in contemporary American history, raising significant concerns about backcountry safety protocols and guided mountain expeditions during high-risk winter conditions.