In the shadow of the Sierra Nevada mountains, a community gathered in grief on Sunday evening for a vigil honoring the nine lives lost in one of California's deadliest avalanches. The event unfolded in the historic downtown of Truckee, California, near Lake Tahoe, where volunteers had transformed a public space into a poignant memorial for the victims of the Castle Peak disaster. The avalanche struck last Tuesday, February 17, 2026, burying a group of skiers and guides under tons of snow and marking the state's worst such tragedy since official records began in the early 20th century.
The victims included six mothers—Carrie Atkin, Kate Morse, Danielle Keatley, Caroline Sekar, Kate Vitt, and Liz Claubaugh—along with three tour guides from Blackbird Mountain Guides: Michael Henry, Andrew Alissandratos, and Nicole Choo. According to reports, the group was on a backcountry ski tour when the slide occurred, prompting a massive search and rescue operation that stretched over several days. Rescue teams recovered the bodies amid challenging conditions, highlighting the perils of winter sports in the region.
Mourners lit candles and placed flowers at the site, where nine wooden "mercy hearts"—each bearing the name of a victim—had been installed earlier that day beneath a towering eagle statue. The hearts, provided by the Lutheran Church Charities (LCC), a non-profit based in Northbrook, Illinois, served as a focal point for communal mourning. Visitors were encouraged to write messages of condolence on the hearts with provided pens, a gesture aimed at offering solace to grieving families.
James Crasner, a 72-year-old volunteer with LCC and a retired Army veteran, helped organize the display. "It’s a place for them to focus their grief and maybe even share with other people who are grieving at the same time," Crasner told the New York Post during the vigil. He emphasized the profound sense of loss rippling through the community, noting the extensive efforts to locate the victims and the deep impact on their families. "The value of the people that were out there that were lost in the avalanche, and the families that are hurting," he added.
Crasner, who grew up nearby in Grass Valley and considers the area his home, spoke of the hearts' purpose in providing "a little comfort, a little compassion during a very bad time, a very sad time." The wooden memorials are eventually presented to the families of the deceased, a tradition LCC follows in the aftermath of disasters. The organization, known for deploying teams of comfort dogs and volunteers to crisis zones, has responded to numerous tragedies across the country.
Among those events, LCC provided support following the 2023 Monterey Park mass shooting at the Star Ballroom Dance Studio, where 72-year-old gunman Huu Can Tran killed 11 people and injured 19 others. They were also on the ground in Uvalde, Texas, after the 2022 Robb Elementary School shooting, in which 18-year-old Salvador Ramos fatally shot 19 students and two teachers, wounding 18 more. "A lot of times it winds up being a focal point for the community—they bring flowers and candles," Crasner said of the memorials' role.
The Church of the Mountains in Truckee reached out to LCC for assistance as the town reeled from the avalanche's shockwaves. Volunteer Bobby Moore, 52, drove from Sacramento with his comfort canine, Rahab, a seven-year-old Golden Retriever, to join the effort. "Our dogs are there usually within 24 hours," Moore explained to the Post. He described LCC's rapid response to both natural and man-made disasters, including hurricanes and tornadoes. "We do hurricanes, tornadoes—anytime there’s a natural disaster or a man-made disaster, we get a call," he said. In Uvalde, their team remained for five weeks, offering ongoing emotional support.
Amid the flickering candlelight, personal stories emerged, painting vivid portraits of the lives cut short. Bolyn Hubby, a close friend and former colleague of Kate Morse, shared her heartache openly. "We were colleagues first at Vir Biotechnology and then friends," Hubby revealed, her voice breaking as she addressed reporters from the California Post, a local outlet covering the event. "She was just the most wonderful person, the most wonderful friend, the most wonderful wife, the most wonderful mother. It was just such a tragedy; she loved her friends so much that she was with."
Hubby's words captured the intimate bonds severed by the avalanche, underscoring how the victims were not just adventurers but pillars of their families and communities. Morse, like the other mothers, left behind children and spouses, amplifying the tragedy's reach. Friends and relatives described the group as experienced skiers who cherished the Tahoe backcountry, a region renowned for its pristine powder but also its unpredictable hazards.
The Castle Peak area, part of the Tahoe National Forest, has long attracted backcountry enthusiasts, but avalanches remain a persistent threat. According to the Sierra Avalanche Center, the region saw heightened risk warnings in the days leading up to the incident due to recent heavy snowfall and unstable snowpack. Officials from the Placer County Sheriff's Office, which led the response, reported that the slide covered an area of about 200 yards and reached depths of up to 10 feet, complicating recovery efforts.
Blackbird Mountain Guides, the outfitter for the tour, issued a statement expressing devastation and committing to a review of safety protocols. "Our hearts are broken for the families and the entire community," the company said in a release Friday. While no fault has been assigned, the incident has sparked discussions among outdoor experts about the balance between adventure and risk in guided tours.
As the vigil drew to a close, community leaders called for unity in the face of loss. Pastor Elena Ramirez of the Church of the Mountains, who coordinated with LCC, described the event as a step toward healing. "In times like these, we lean on each other," she said, according to attendees. The gathering, attended by hundreds, including locals and visitors from across the state, reflected Tahoe's tight-knit spirit, where outdoor pursuits bind people together.
Looking ahead, authorities are investigating the avalanche's causes, with preliminary findings pointing to a slab avalanche triggered by the group's passage over a weak layer in the snow. The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, which assisted in the search, noted that climate patterns contributing to volatile weather could play a role in future prevention efforts. Families of the victims have begun planning private memorials, while public awareness campaigns on avalanche safety are expected to intensify this ski season.
The tragedy serves as a stark reminder of nature's power in the Tahoe basin, a destination that draws millions annually for its slopes and serenity. As spring approaches, ski areas are enhancing patrols and education programs, but experts caution that backcountry risks persist. For now, Truckee's residents hold onto the memory of their loved ones, finding solace in shared grief and the enduring beauty of the mountains that claimed them.
In the weeks to come, LCC plans to continue supporting affected families, potentially extending their presence as counseling needs arise. "We’re here anytime somebody could use a little comfort, compassion and mercy during times of crisis or when they’re hurting or in need," Crasner affirmed. The mercy hearts, now adorned with messages of love and loss, stand as testaments to a community's resilience amid unimaginable sorrow.