{"id":1786836,"date":"2026-02-23T03:10:47","date_gmt":"2026-02-23T00:10:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1786836"},"modified":"2026-02-23T03:10:47","modified_gmt":"2026-02-23T00:10:47","slug":"we-are-heartbroken-blackbird-mountain-guides-speak-after-castle-peak-ca-avalanche","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1786836","title":{"rendered":"\u201cWe Are Heartbroken\u201d\u2014Blackbird Mountain Guides Speak After Castle Peak, CA, Avalanche"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"entry-content\">\n<figure id=\"attachment_231841\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-231841\" style=\"width: 1707px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-231841 lazyload\" src=\"image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAoAAAAHnAQMAAAASGn4fAAAABlBMVEUAAAD\/\/\/+l2Z\/dAAAAAXRSTlMAQObYZgAAAAlwSFlzAAAOxAAADsQBlSsOGwAAADxJREFUeNrtwQEBAAAAgiD\/r25IQAEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAXBiaFwABYnPVWQAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==\" alt=\"RIP\" width=\"640\" height=\"487\" data-src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/sixteen-miles-out-3CA_-xcpulY-unsplash-min-scaled-e1762762407781.jpg?resize=640%2C487&amp;ssl=1\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/sixteen-miles-out-3CA_-xcpulY-unsplash-min-scaled-e1762762407781.jpg?w=1707&amp;ssl=1 1707w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/sixteen-miles-out-3CA_-xcpulY-unsplash-min-scaled-e1762762407781.jpg?resize=300%2C228&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/sixteen-miles-out-3CA_-xcpulY-unsplash-min-scaled-e1762762407781.jpg?resize=1200%2C914&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/sixteen-miles-out-3CA_-xcpulY-unsplash-min-scaled-e1762762407781.jpg?resize=768%2C585&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/sixteen-miles-out-3CA_-xcpulY-unsplash-min-scaled-e1762762407781.jpg?resize=1536%2C1170&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/sixteen-miles-out-3CA_-xcpulY-unsplash-min-scaled-e1762762407781.jpg?resize=600%2C457&amp;ssl=1 600w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/sixteen-miles-out-3CA_-xcpulY-unsplash-min-scaled-e1762762407781.jpg?w=1280&amp;ssl=1 1280w\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-eio-rwidth=\"640\" data-eio-rheight=\"487\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-231841\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/sixteen-miles-out-3CA_-xcpulY-unsplash-min-scaled-e1762762407781.jpg?resize=640%2C487&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"RIP\" width=\"640\" height=\"487\" data-eio=\"l\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-231841\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The avalanche at Castle Peak has been the deadliest avalanche disaster in state history. | Image: Unsplash<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<div class=\"ai-viewports ai-viewport-2 ai-viewport-3 ai-insert-2-74053847\" style=\"margin: 8px auto;text-align: center;clear: both\" data-insertion-position=\"prepend\" data-selector=\".ai-insert-2-74053847\" data-insertion-no-dbg data-code=\"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\" data-block=\"2\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"ai-viewports ai-viewport-1 ai-insert-1-26968022\" style=\"margin: 8px auto;text-align: center;clear: both\" data-insertion-position=\"prepend\" data-selector=\".ai-insert-1-26968022\" data-insertion-no-dbg data-code=\"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\" data-block=\"1\"><\/div>\n<p><strong>Blackbird Mountain Guides\u2014the mountain guide company behind the deadly Castle Peak avalanche\u2014has issued a public statement mourning the victims of last week\u2019s catastrophic avalanche.<\/strong> The statement, released Saturday, February 21, followed a press conference by the Nevada County Sheriff\u2019s Office confirming that recovery efforts had concluded earlier that morning. \u201cWe continue to grieve the devastating loss of life from the February 17 avalanche near Castle Peak,\u201d the statement by Blackbird Mountain Guides read. \u201cFollowing the release of the names by Nevada County, we hold each individual and their loved ones in our hearts.\u201d<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Related: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/snowbrains.com\/8-skiers-found-dead-after-castle-peak-avalanche-in-california-with-one-still-missing-for-what-is-now-the-deadliest-avalanche-accident-in-state-history\/\"><em><strong>8 Skiers Found Dead After Castle Peak Avalanche in California with 1 Still Missing<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>The Sheriff\u2019s Office confirmed the recovery of all nine people killed and provided the names and ages of all nine deceased.<\/strong> They included three guides and six guests. The guides were identified as: Andrew Alissandratos, 34, of Birdseye, Nevada; Mike Henry, 30, of Tampa, Florida; and Niki Choo, 42, of South Lake Tahoe, California.\u00a0\u201cSkilled professionals, colleagues, and friends whose passion for the mountains shaped who we are,\u201d the company describes the deceased guides. \u201cWe also mourn the guests who lost their lives; individuals who shared a love of the outdoors and were part of this close-knit mountain community. We are heartbroken with everyone who is grieving during this profoundly difficult time.\u201d The guests were identified as Carrie Atkin, 46, from Soda Springs, California; Elizabeth Clabaugh, 52, from Boise, Idaho; Danielle Keatley, 44, from Soda Springs, California; Kate Morse, 45, from Soda Springs, California; Caroline Sekar, 45, from Soda Springs, California; and Katherine Vitt, from Greenbay, California.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Related: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/snowbrains.com\/update-all-9-bodies-have-been-recovered-from-castle-peak-avalanche-ca\/\"><em><strong>[UPDATE] All. 9 Bodies Have Been Recovered from Castle Peak Avalanche, CA<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>The avalanche struck Tuesday morning, February 17, near the Frog Lake huts outside Truckee.<\/strong> The guided group of 15 skiers had been on a three-day backcountry expedition in the Tahoe region when they were caught by the slide. Six survived; nine perished.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Nevada County Sheriff Shannan Moon said during the press conference that investigators are still examining the circumstances leading up to the tragedy.<\/strong> According to statements from surviving members, the group had chosen to depart early in an effort to avoid worsening avalanche conditions. Authorities have not yet speculated publicly on the precise sequence of decisions that preceded the slide.<\/p>\n<p><strong>As the investigation continues, tributes have poured in from across the mountain community in Tahoe and beyond.<\/strong> For Blackbird Mountain Guides, the loss\u2014in what is now considered California\u2019s deadliest avalanche in modern history\u2014is both professional and deeply personal. \u201cThose who lost their lives were deeply loved family members, friends, partners, and valued members of the broader mountain community,\u201d the company said. \u201cWe are heartbroken with everyone who is grieving.\u201d<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_385437\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-385437\" style=\"width: 2836px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-385437 lazyload\" src=\"image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAoAAAAF6AQMAAACz4nuCAAAABlBMVEUAAAD\/\/\/+l2Z\/dAAAAAXRSTlMAQObYZgAAAAlwSFlzAAAOxAAADsQBlSsOGwAAADVJREFUeNrtwQENAAAAwqD3T20ON6AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAODJAHeaAAEeLXiyAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC\" alt=\"Castle Peak, CA\" width=\"640\" height=\"378\" data-src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/SCR-20260106-gizm.jpeg?resize=640%2C378&amp;ssl=1\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/SCR-20260106-gizm.jpeg?w=2836&amp;ssl=1 2836w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/SCR-20260106-gizm.jpeg?resize=300%2C177&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/SCR-20260106-gizm.jpeg?resize=1200%2C709&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/SCR-20260106-gizm.jpeg?resize=768%2C454&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/SCR-20260106-gizm.jpeg?resize=1536%2C908&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/SCR-20260106-gizm.jpeg?resize=2048%2C1210&amp;ssl=1 2048w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/SCR-20260106-gizm.jpeg?resize=600%2C355&amp;ssl=1 600w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/SCR-20260106-gizm.jpeg?w=1280&amp;ssl=1 1280w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/SCR-20260106-gizm.jpeg?w=1920&amp;ssl=1 1920w\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-eio-rwidth=\"640\" data-eio-rheight=\"378\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-385437\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/SCR-20260106-gizm.jpeg?resize=640%2C378&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"Castle Peak, CA\" width=\"640\" height=\"378\" data-eio=\"l\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-385437\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Castle Peak, CA. | Image: Google Maps<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><!-- CONTENT END 1 -->\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The avalanche at Castle Peak has been the deadliest avalanche disaster in state history. | Image: Unsplash Blackbird Mountain Guides\u2014the mountain guide company behind the deadly Castle Peak avalanche\u2014has issued a public statement mourning the victims of last week\u2019s catastrophic avalanche. The statement, released Saturday, February 21, followed a press conference by the Nevada County [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[226,267],"class_list":["post-1786836","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-crawlmanager","tag-snowbrains-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1786836","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1786836"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1786836\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1786836"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1786836"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1786836"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}