This blog post covers the Sierra avalanche tragedy near Castle Peak in Tahoe National Forest. Rescue teams paused recovery efforts to prepare for controlled snow-clearing measures.
The disaster has deeply affected Marin County families and communities. The post also notes the latest forest closures and the ongoing search for a missing climber, as tough weather and unstable snowpack keep making rescue work harder.
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Rescue Operations and Snow Safety Efforts
The Nevada County Sheriff’s Office said rescuers stopped their recovery on a steep Sierra slope Friday. Crews started getting ready to use explosives or other controlled triggers to reduce unstable snow and make the area safer.
Weather kept getting worse, and the snowpack stayed unstable. Officials shut down parts of Tahoe National Forest near Castle Peak, with closures possibly lasting through March 15.
Earlier this week, a huge avalanche swept 15 backcountry skiers downhill. Eight died, six survived, and one remains missing—presumed dead.
In Marin and the Bay Area, families and ski enthusiasts followed updates about the victims and the scope of the tragedy. People are calling this the deadliest avalanche in the U.S. in more than forty years. Mountain communities from Fairfax to Sausalito and beyond are feeling the shock.
Officials are still working to recover remains. They have to balance safety for responders with the urgent need to find the missing skier.
Authorities haven’t released every victim’s name yet. But the tragedy hits close to home for families with deep roots in Marin County’s towns and neighborhoods.
Community members are talking more about avalanche awareness. There’s a growing push for safer backcountry travel as spring arrives and more locals think about heading into the mountains.
Remembering the Victims and Our Local Ties
Several victims identified so far have deep Bay Area and Marin connections. It’s a stark reminder of how quickly a mountain accident can impact families from Larkspur, Tiburon, Greenbrae, San Anselmo, and Novato.
The list shows just how close-knit the Bay Area ski and school communities really are. Many families stay in touch through youth programs and weekend ski days on nearby alpine routes.
- Kate Vitt, 43, Greenbrae
- Kate Morse, 45, Tiburon
- Danielle Keatley, 44, Larkspur — an executive and founder of Keatley Wines
- Carrie Atkin, 46, Norden
- Caroline Sekar, 45, San Francisco
- Liz Clabaugh, 52, Boise — sister of Caroline Sekar
Keatley worked at Structure Therapeutics as vice president of investor relations and corporate communications. Company leaders described her as a genuinely kind colleague whose impact would be “etched in Structure’s legacy forever.”
People in Marin County remember the victims as pillars of local life—mothers, mentors, and active participants in school activities and ski programs. The Sierra’s dangers really do echo far beyond the slopes.
After this loss, Marin County residents are rethinking backcountry safety. More folks are checking avalanche forecasts, carrying beacons, and making sure their partners are ready for emergencies.
There’s a lot of talk about how to balance the Sierra’s powder with smart risk management. It’s a conversation that’s hitting home for families in Mill Valley, San Rafael, Sausalito, and Fairfax as spring skiing ramps up.
Local ski clubs and schools might use this moment to boost safety training and avalanche-awareness for the 2026 season. Maybe it’s overdue, honestly.
Investigators are still working through the details, and Tahoe National Forest boundaries keep shifting. Marin County readers can stay in the loop through local news and official updates.
Our region’s ties to the Sierra run deep—from the hills above Kentfield to the peaks beyond Point Reyes. Safety in the backcountry matters to everyone who loves getting outside here in Marin and the North Bay.
What you can do now:
Our Marin coastline and Northern Bay communities stand with the families affected by this tragic avalanche. In times like these, the strength of San Rafael, Corte Madera, San Anselmo, and neighboring towns shows in how we come together—to remember, to learn, and to keep each other safe in the mountains we love.
Here is the source article for this story: Marin avalanche victims mourned as recovery slows
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