Summary
– Date/place: Feb. 17, 2026 — avalanche near Castle Peak, Sierra Nevada, northwest of Lake Tahoe (Donner Pass / Frog Lake huts).
– Group: 15 backcountry skiers on a three-day guided trip with Blackbird Mountain Guides.
– Current status: 6 survivors located (sheltered in place); 2 taken to hospital with non-life‑threatening injuries; 9 remain missing.
– Conditions: heavy snowfall, gale‑force winds, continuing avalanche danger; rescue slowed by weather.
– Authorities: multi‑agency response including local SAR, avalanche specialists, Truckee Fire, Nevada County Sheriff deputies; roughly 46 personnel engaged so far.
What happened
A large slab avalanche swept through steep terrain near Castle Peak on the afternoon of Feb. 17, carrying members of a 15‑person guided group downhill. Emergency calls came in as the storm intensified. Searchers reached the area hours later, fighting whiteout conditions and high winds to set up a forward command near Donner Pass.
Six people were found sheltering in terrain traps and natural cover; they had improvised protection and waited for help. Medical teams assessed everyone on site and transported two people to a regional hospital for evaluation. At last report nine expedition members are still missing.
Why the rescue has been difficult
Rescue teams have been working in hazardous, rapidly changing conditions: heavy new snow on weak layers, strong winds that loaded slopes, and an active avalanche forecast from the Sierra Avalanche Center. Visibility and unstable terrain have forced crews to move deliberately—using skis, snowcats and snowmobiles when safe—and to prioritize responder safety to avoid triggering further slides.
Search operations and coordination
Local sheriffs’ search-and-rescue units, volunteer teams, mountain guides and avalanche professionals are coordinating the effort. Blackbird Mountain Guides is working with authorities and communicating with families. Searchers have used emergency transmitters and information from the outfitter to narrow search zones; officials say aerial searches will expand when weather allows.
Investigators will examine equipment, emergency procedures, and the timeline of calls as they reconstruct the incident. Anyone with information about the trip or the group’s movements is asked to contact the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office.
Why the terrain was especially dangerous
Meteorologists and avalanche forecasters say the storm dumped rapid accumulations—observers near Soda Springs reported roughly 75 cm (about 30 inches) in 24 hours—on top of weak layers in the snowpack. That sudden loading creates large, unpredictable slabs that can propagate across wide areas. Ski areas nearby took precautionary measures, including closures and controlled releases, because slide potential was significant.
What this means for backcountry travelers
This event is a stark reminder that even experienced groups and professional guides can be overwhelmed by a high‑impact storm. Practical steps to reduce risk:
- – Take certified avalanche training and practice companion rescue regularly.
- Always carry and know how to use a transceiver, probe and shovel; run a beacon check before leaving.
- Carry redundant communication (PLBs, satellite messengers) and file a trip plan with a responsible contact.
- Check the Sierra Avalanche Center forecast and weather briefings immediately before travel; alter or cancel plans when instability is flagged.
- Travel conservatively: space out, avoid wind‑loaded and steep slopes during storms, and prefer lower‑angle terrain when in doubt.
A human note
Families and friends of the missing are understandably anxious as crews keep searching when weather allows. The recovery effort—conducted by people who know these mountains well—continues to be constrained by conditions. Officials have emphasized the balance responders must strike between moving quickly for victims and keeping rescuers out of undue danger.
Ongoing updates
Authorities say search efforts will continue as conditions permit and promised further information as teams learn more. If you have relevant information about the expedition or recorded location signals, contact the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office.