Eight Skiers Die in Lake Tahoe Avalanche
An avalanche near Lake Tahoe resulted in the deaths of eight backcountry skiers, with one person still missing. The incident occurred amid a period of heavy snowfall in the Sierra Nevada mountains. One of the victims was reportedly a resident of Marin County.
- The fatal avalanche occurred around 11:30 a.m. on February 17 in the Castle Peak area near Donner Pass, involving a guided backcountry group from Blackbird Mountain Guides. - This incident is considered the deadliest avalanche in modern California history, surpassing the 1982 Alpine Meadows avalanche that killed seven people. - The guided group consisted of 15 skiers and four guides; six survivors were rescued Tuesday evening after the avalanche struck. - The Sierra Avalanche Center had issued an avalanche warning for the area, cautioning that large avalanches were expected in the backcountry. - Rescue efforts were hampered by dangerous weather conditions, which included the closure of Interstate 80 through Donner Pass. - One of the victims was identified as Kenneth Kidd, 66, a resident of both Point Reyes in Marin County and the Truckee area. - The avalanche debris field was extensive, measuring approximately 150 feet wide, 450 feet long, and 10 feet deep. - A separate, non-fatal avalanche occurred the following day in the Wolverine Bowl area of nearby Alpine Meadows, with no injuries reported.
