Crews Hope to Resume Recovery of 8 Bodies from California Avalanche

Dangerous weather has hampered efforts to recover victims from deadly Sierra Nevada slide

Published on Mar. 1, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Crews in California's Sierra Nevada mountains hope to resume efforts on Friday to recover the bodies of eight people killed and one still missing in an avalanche. The victims were part of a close-knit group of experienced backcountry skiers, as well as three guides, who were caught in the deadly slide earlier this week. Dangerous weather has hampered safe access to the area, but avalanche warnings are set to expire and milder conditions are expected over the weekend.

Why it matters

This avalanche is the deadliest in the U.S. since 1981, when 11 climbers were killed on Mount Rainier in Washington state. It raises questions about backcountry safety, avalanche risk assessment, and the responsibilities of guide companies leading expeditions in hazardous conditions.

The details

The group of 15 skiers, including six friends from the San Francisco Bay Area, Idaho, and the Lake Tahoe region, as well as three guides, began their three-day trip on Sunday just as avalanche warnings were intensifying. By early Tuesday, officials cautioned that avalanches were expected, but the guides and their tour company, Blackbird Mountain Guides, decided to press on. Investigations are now underway to determine what the guides knew about the warnings and why they continued the expedition.

  • The group began their three-day trip on Sunday.
  • By early Tuesday, officials cautioned that avalanches were expected.
  • Crews hope to resume recovery efforts on Friday.

The players

Carrie Atkin

One of the six friends killed in the avalanche, a former corporate executive and Division I Track & Field athlete who lived with her husband and two children.

Liz Clabaugh

One of the six friends killed, who worked for St. Luke's Health System in Boise, Idaho.

Danielle Keatley

One of the six friends killed.

Kate Morse

One of the six friends killed.

Caroline Sekar

One of the six friends killed, a mother of two who lived in San Francisco.

Kate Vitt

One of the six friends killed, who lived in San Francisco and previously worked at SiriusXM and Pandora.

Blackbird Mountain Guides

The tour company leading the expedition, whose guides were trained or certified in backcountry skiing and avalanche safety.

Zeb Blais

The founder of Blackbird Mountain Guides.

Gavin Newsom

The Governor of California, who said some of his wife's 'old family friends' were on the trip.

McAlister Clabaugh

The brother of Liz Clabaugh, one of the six friends killed.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We are devastated beyond words.”

— Families of the victims

“These were some experienced guides that were out there, and that's what's even more concerning and disturbing.”

— Gavin Newsom, Governor of California

What’s next

Avalanche warnings are set to expire early Friday, and dryer and milder conditions are predicted for the weekend, which could allow crews to resume recovery efforts.

The takeaway

This tragic avalanche highlights the risks inherent in backcountry skiing, even for experienced guides and groups, and the need for thorough avalanche risk assessment and safety protocols to protect adventurers in the alpine wilderness.