02/19/26 02:29:00
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02/19 14:28 CST Dangerous conditions delay the recovery of 8 killed in
California avalanche
Dangerous conditions delay the recovery of 8 killed in California avalanche
By BROOKE HESS-HOMEIER, JULIE WATSON and JOHN SEEWER
Associated Press
TRUCKEE, Calif. (AP) --- The backcountry skiers and professional guides caught
in the deadliest U.S. avalanche in decades understood the dangers of trekking
through California's Sierra Nevada remote wilderness.
They had close ties to Lake Tahoe's alpine community, with some connected to an
academy for competitive skiers. One victim was married to a backcountry rescue
team member. A mayor near San Francisco said the group included moms from the
Bay Area.
But what the guides and their tour company knew about the warnings and risks
from a powerful winter storm that blasted the mountains during the trip and why
they pressed on is now part of investigations into the avalanche Tuesday that
killed eight people. Six survived the disaster.
It will be at least another day before crews can attempt to recover the bodies
and continue the search for a ninth person still missing and presumed dead,
said Ashley Quadros, a spokesperson for the Nevada County Sheriff's Office.
"We are on the mountain, but they are not going to be able to safely reach
them," she said Thursday. "The weather conditions are really dangerous."
Several more feet of snow could fall around Lake Tahoe on Thursday and continue
to destabilize the fragile snowpack, according to the Sierra Avalanche Center.
It said that wind gusts along the ridgetops could reach 60 mph (100 kph) and
warned there's a high risk of large avalanches through at least Friday morning.
Officials have not yet released the names of those who were killed.
The 15 skiers, most of them women, began their three-day trip on Sunday just as
warnings about the storm were intensifying. They spent the weekend staying
along Frog Lake in high country huts accessible only by challenging trails.
Some have ties with the elite Sugar Bowl Academy, which issued a statement late
Wednesday mourning the loss of skiers with "strong connections to Sugar Bowl,
Donner Summit and the backcountry community."
Perched on Donner Summit, the academy is a private boarding and day school for
competitive skiers and snowboarders. Its former students include multiple
Olympians.
"We are an incredibly close and connected community," Sugar Bowl Academy
executive director Stephen McMahon said in the statement. "This tragedy has
affected each and every one of us."
The four guides were employed by Blackbird Mountain Guides, which offers
mountaineering and backcountry ski trips as well as safety courses across the
West and internationally. One of them was among the six survivors.
Blackbird's website says the tour is intended for intermediate to expert
skiers. The company said in a statement it has launched an investigation and
paused field operations at least through the weekend while it prioritizes
supporting the victims' families.
The guides who led the group were trained or certified in backcountry skiing,
and instructors with the American Institute for Avalanche Research and
Education. While in the field, they "are in communication with senior guides at
our base, to discuss conditions and routing based upon conditions," founder Zeb
Blais said in the statement.
"We don't have all the answers yet, and it may be some time before we do," the
company said. "In the meantime, please keep those impacted in your hearts."
Nevada County Sheriff Shannan Moon said authorities will investigate why the
guides proceeded with the tour despite the forecast. The Sierra Avalanche
Center had issued an avalanche watch Sunday morning indicating that large
avalanches were likely in the next 24 to 48 hours.
Mayor Max Perrey of Marin County's Mill Valley, a city just north of San
Francisco, confirmed that some in the group were mothers from his city. He was
not able to provide additional details but told The Associated Press via email
that more information would be released later.
One of the victims was married to a member of a backcountry search and rescue
team in the area, said Placer County Sheriff Wayne Woo.
Authorities said the six survivors scoured the snow for the missing, finding
three of the dead while they waited six hours Tuesday for help to arrive in
blizzard conditions. One of those rescued was still hospitalized Wednesday,
Moon said.
The skiers all had beacons that can send signals to rescuers, and at least one
guide was able to send text messages.
The avalanche is the deadliest in the U.S. since 1981, when 11 climbers were
killed on Mount Rainier in Washington state.
___
Watson reported from San Diego, and Seewer from Toledo, Ohio. Associated Press
writers Hallie Golden in Seattle; R.J. Rico in Atlanta; and Christopher Weber
in Los Angeles contributed.
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