California residents hold vigil to honor avalanche victims

TRUCKEE, Calif. (NBC, KYMA) - A vigil was held in the town of Truckee, California Sunday to honor the lives lost following an avalanche at Castle Peak last week.

A large crowd gathered in Downtown Truckee to honor the nine lives who were lost in the avalanche on February 17, and to honor all of those who knew the victims.

A choir opened the vigil before a candle lighting ceremony and a moment of silence.

Nine backcountry skiers were killed in the Castle Peak avalanche last Tuesday. Extreme conditions following the avalanche prevented crews from reaching the victims until Saturday, February 21.

This was California's deadliest avalanche on record.