Retracing the Steps of the Tahoe Avalanche Victims

A trek to the site of the deadliest avalanche in California history reveals a surprisingly tranquil spot, a stark contrast to the frenzied 15 minutes that determined who survived. The location, nestled in the Sierra Nevada, belies the tragedy that unfolded there just months prior.

The Fateful Journey Begins

After 5½ hours on backcountry skis, traversing the Sierra Nevada’s rapidly melting snowpack, the lead guide stopped and knelt in prayer. The group had arrived at a shallow depression in the snow, marked by a makeshift memorial of flowers. This remote spot, near Frog Lake, was where tragedy struck on February 17th.

California's Deadliest Avalanche

On that day, 13 members of a guided backcountry ski trip were buried by an avalanche during a ferocious blizzard. Nine people died, including three guides and six clients – local women, wives, and working mothers who had been friends for years. This event marked the deadliest avalanche in California history.

A Difficult Trek to the Site

In mid-March, a professional guide and a backcountry photographer made the challenging 10-mile trek to the avalanche site. They followed the skiers’ route, starting near Donner Pass, infamous for the tragic story of the Donner Party. The round trip involved climbing and descending nearly 5,000 vertical feet.

An Unexpectedly Peaceful Scene

The site itself was unexpectedly peaceful. Deep in a wooded ravine, bathed in sunlight, the group knelt behind the flower memorial and looked up the slope. All that was visible was a slight rise and a healthy forest of pine trees. While large trees don’t guarantee safety, their presence suggests the slope doesn’t frequently experience avalanches.

Assessing the Terrain

Maps indicate that Perry’s Peak, the hill above the ravine, is steep enough to slide during heavy storms. However, the presence of mature trees suggested avalanches weren’t a common occurrence. “This is not the spot I would have been most worried about,” said the guide, who requested anonymity. Backcountry photographer Danny Kern added, “It’s just crazy. There’s very little damage, and so many people.”

The Ill-Fated Trip to Frog Lake

The group of 15 – four Blackbird Mountain Guides and 11 clients – had set out on February 15th for a three-day trip to Frog Lake, a popular backcountry skiing destination. Eight of the clients were women from the Bay Area, described as fit, successful, and outdoorsy, with connections to the Sugar Bowl Academy.

Ignoring the Weather Warnings

Forecasts predicted a significant atmospheric river storm would hit the Sierra Nevada on the second day of the trip. Some clients inquired about postponing the trip, but the guides assured them it would proceed. At least one client ultimately backed out of the trip.

Storm Skiing and a Changing Forecast

Despite the warnings, the first day of the trip offered excellent powder skiing. However, the storm intensified, becoming the largest to hit the area since 1982, dumping over 10 feet of snow. The guides decided to abandon their plans for skiing near the huts and attempt to return to their starting point.

A Questionable Decision

According to Jim Hamilton, a client and software engineer, the guides didn’t consider staying in the huts, which were safe from avalanches. He speculated that staying would have been inconvenient and costly. No indication of safety concerns was expressed by the guides, particularly by Andrew Alissandratos, the trip leader.

The Improvised Route and the Avalanche

The guides chose an improvised route circling behind the cliffs, leading to a forested ravine beneath Perry’s Peak. While not ideal, it could have been navigated safely with caution. However, the group strayed too close to the slope beneath Perry’s Peak. The avalanche struck suddenly, described as an “ambush” by one client, Anton Auzans.