Overview
- The Feb. 17 avalanche near Perry Peak/Castle Peak buried 12 people and killed nine, including three guides from Blackbird Mountain Guides.
- Blackbird publicly released a 68-page preliminary report by Don Sharaf that the company had given to families and authorities before publication.
- The report says guides left during a brief weather window, GPS data show multiple attempts to cross a normally snow-covered creek that was open and impassable, and the group was funneled into avalanche runout terrain.
- Sharaf concluded it cannot be determined whether the slide was naturally triggered or triggered by the group, and official probes remain open with the Nevada County sheriff forwarding findings to the district attorney and Cal/OSHA’s review pending.
- Investigators and industry observers note the larger context of a major storm that dumped 28 to 39 inches and a Sierra Avalanche Center high danger rating, and they are watching how the findings could affect guiding practices, legal liability, and families still coping with the losses.