<div class="css-s99gbd StoryBodyCompanionColumn" data-testid="companionColumn-0"><div class="css-53u6y8"><p class="css-ac37hb evys1bk0">At least eight skiers were killed and one is missing and presumed dead after they were overcome by an avalanche in the mountains near Lake Tahoe on Tuesday — the deadliest in modern California history.</p><p class="css-ac37hb evys1bk0">They had been part of a group of 15, including four guides, on a three-day backcountry expedition near Castle Peak, a popular recreation area in the Sierra Nevada. Six others from the group were rescued late Tuesday night, one of whom remained in the hospital on Wednesday with injuries that were not life-threatening.</p><p class="css-ac37hb evys1bk0">The high death toll raised questions about why the group was on a mountain after forecasters issued avalanche warnings for the region, though locals stressed that conditions in the region can shift quickly.</p><p class="css-ac37hb evys1bk0">Here’s what to know about the avalanche:</p><h2 class="css-11zi5nh eoo0vm40" id="link-3600f7dd">Eight people were killed, and one remains missing and presumed dead.</h2><p class="css-ac37hb evys1bk0">The group of skiers and guides were returning to the trailhead at the end of their trip on Tuesday when they were overcome by the avalanche, according to a statement <a class="css-yywogo" href="https://blackbirdguides.com/pages/live-incident-updates" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="">from Blackbird Mountain Guides</a>, the company running the tour. Officials said at a news conference on Wednesday that the group consisted of four guides and 11 clients.</p></div><aside aria-label="companion column" class="css-ew4tgv"></aside></div><div data-testid="Dropzone-1"></div><div class="css-s99gbd StoryBodyCompanionColumn" data-testid="companionColumn-1"><div class="css-53u6y8"><p class="css-ac37hb evys1bk0">The authorities said that the avalanche occurred around 11:30 a.m., and that the six survivors had managed to build a makeshift shelter. Rescuers using specialized snow equipment braved treacherous conditions to reach the group after nightfall.</p><p class="css-ac37hb evys1bk0">Four men and two women survived, officials said. Only one of the survivors is a guide, officials said.</p><div class="css-kbghgg"><div class="css-121kum4"><div class="css-171d1bw"></div><div class="css-asuuk5"><noscript><div class="css-7axq9l" data-testid="optimistic-truncator-noscript"><svg aria-hidden="true" class="css-1b5b8u1" data-tpl="i" height="24" viewbox="0 0 24 24" width="24"><path clip-rule="evenodd" d="M2.5 12a9.5 9.5 0 1 1 19 0 9.5 9.5 0 0 1-19 0Zm8.5 1.75v-7.5h2v7.5h-2Zm0 2v2h2v-2h-2Z" fill="currentColor" fill-rule="evenodd"></path></svg><div class="css-6yo1no" data-testid="optimistic-truncator-noscript-message"><p class="css-3kpklk" data-tpl="t">We are having trouble retrieving the article content.</p><p class="css-3kpklk" data-tpl="t">Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.</p></div></div></noscript><div class="css-1dv1kvn" id="optimistic-truncator-a11y" tabindex="-1"><hr/><p>Thank you for your patience while we verify access. 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