Castle Peak Avalanche Update: Nine Victims Recovered from Mountain 

February 22, 2026 – TRUCKEE, CA – Nevada County Sheriff’s Office officials report that nine individuals who lost their lives in the Castle Peak avalanche on February 17 have been safely recovered from the mountain. The first five individuals were recovered on the evening of February 20 and the remaining four on the morning of February 21:

These individuals have been identified in alphabetical order as:

• Andrew Alissandratos, 34, of Verdi, Nevada (Blackbird Mountain Guide)
• Carrie Atkin, 46, of Soda Springs, Calif.
• Nicole Choo, 42, of South Lake Tahoe, Calif. (Blackbird Mountain Guide)
• Lizabeth Clabaugh, 52, of Boise, Idaho
• Michael Henry, 30, from Soda Springs (Blackbird Mountain Guide)
• Danielle Keatley, 44, of Soda Springs and Larkspur, Calif.
• Kate Morse, 45, of Soda Springs and Tiburon, Calif.
• Caroline Sekar, 45, of Soda Springs and San Francisco, Calif.
• Katherine Vitt, 43, of Greenbrea, Calif.

“There are no words that truly capture the significance of this loss and our hearts mourn alongside the families of those affected by this catastrophic event,” said Sheriff Shannan Moon of the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office. “The weight of this event is felt across many families, friends, and colleagues, and we stand together with them during this difficult time.”

Related: Six Skiers Rescued from Avalanche in Castle Peak Area of Truckee, Nine Still Missing (Videos)

Nevada County Avalanche Press Conference, Eight Skiers Killed and One Still Missing (Video)

Note: Placer County Sheriff's Office issues a statement below.

The Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the countless individuals and partner agencies for the direct assistance in the rescue and recovery process for this five-day mission: Nevada County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue; Placer County Sheriff’s Office; Tahoe Nordic Search and Rescue; Washoe County Sheriff’s Office; Washoe County Search and Rescue; California’s Governor’s Office of Emergency Services; California Highway Patrol Air Operations; Care Flight Truckee, a service of REMSA Health; Sierra Avalanche Center; Pacific Gas & Electric; United States Forest Service; California State Parks; Truckee Fire; OpenSnow; Tahoe Donner’s Alder Creek Adventure Center; Boreal Mountain Ski Resort; Truckee Tahoe Airport; Town of Truckee; Truckee Police Department; Truckee Donner Land Trust and California National Guard.

Source & photo: Nevada County Sheriff’s Office

Placer County Sheriff's Office issued the following statement:

It has been a heavy week for our community. Our hearts are with the families and loved ones grieving after this week’s tragic avalanche. There are no words that can ease that kind of loss, but please know you are in our thoughts.

We also want to recognize the work of the Search and Rescue volunteers. What they have carried these past several days is not easy. It is physically demanding and emotionally taxing.

Because of you, nine individuals were brought home to their families. That matters more than words can express. Thank you.

Source: Placer County Sheriff's Office