‘They were mothers, wives, friends’: how a ski trip turned deadly in the California mountains
The Guardian • • nation
Key Points:
- An avalanche struck Castle Peak in Nevada County, California, on 17 February during a heavy winter storm, trapping a group of backcountry skiers; six survived while eight are confirmed dead and one remains missing, making it the fourth deadliest avalanche in US history.
- The group, consisting mostly of experienced women skiers and mothers from the Bay Area and surrounding regions, was returning from a three-day expedition with Blackbird Mountain Guides when the avalanche occurred.
- Rescue efforts involved 46 first responders navigating treacherous conditions with heavy snowfall and high avalanche risk, ultimately recovering six survivors and eight bodies, with one person still unaccounted for.
- Investigations by the Nevada County sheriff’s office and Cal/OSHA are ongoing to determine the
