California avalanche victims identified: 6 mothers killed in Sierra Nevada

At least six victims of a tragic avalanche that killed nine people in the Sierra Nevada near California’s Lake Tahoe on Tuesday have been identified.

Six of the victims were among a group of outdoorsy mothers who regularly traveled together. A joint statement from the affected families identified the women as Kate Vitt, Carrie Atkin, Danielle Keatley, Kate Morse and sisters Caroline Sekar and Liz Clabaugh.

In their statement, the families said, “We are devastated beyond words.” “Our focus right now is on supporting our children through this incredible tragedy and honoring the lives of these extraordinary women.”

All the women were described as “mothers, wives and friends, all bonded by a love of the outdoors.”

8 SKIERS FOUND DEAD, 1 SKIER MISSING AFTER LAKE TAHOE AVALANCHE

Nevada County Sheriff Shannan Moon said at a news conference Wednesday that authorities told the families the mission had shifted from rescue to recovery.

“They were heading back to camp when the avalanche hit,” Moon said, adding that it took search and rescue teams hours to find the first few survivors.

The group of women, most of whom reside near California, were reportedly experienced backcountry skiers. They were reportedly well trained, fully prepared, and equipped with avalanche safety gear.

“They were passionate and talented skiers who loved spending time together in the mountains,” the families’ statement said. The statement was included. “They lived in the Bay Area, Idaho and the Truckee-Tahoe area.”

Stating that they were “heartbroken”, the couple said that they did their best to support each other and their families in the way they believe mothers would want.

Caroline Sekar was one of those killed in the avalanche that occurred in Lake Tahoe on Tuesday. (Caroline Sekar/Facebook)

Sekar and Clabaugh’s brother, McAlister Clabaugh, said The New York Times wrote that 45-year-old Sekar is a mother of two living in San Francisco.

According to her LinkedIn profile, Liz Clabaugh, 52, lives in St. Louis, Boise, Idaho. She served as the graduate nurse residency program coordinator at St. Luke’s Health System.

Vitt, who lived in San Francisco, worked at SiriusXM and Pandora and was a mother of two, according to her LinkedIn profile.

Several members of the group were also affiliated with Sugar Bowl Academy, an elite boarding and day school for competitive skiers and snowboarders that counts numerous Olympians among its alumni.

“This tragedy has touched every one of us. The depth of support for families whose lives have been changed forever reminds us of how special this community is,” said Executive Director Stephen McMahon.

2 SKIERS DIE IN AN AVALANCHE AT THE POPULAR MONT BLANC SKI RAIL NEAR THE FRENCH-SWISS BORDER

Caroline Sekar takes a selfie while skiing. (Caroline Sekar/Facebook)

The avalanche that occurred near Castle Peak in the Sierra Nevada mountains on February 17 was the deadliest avalanche in California history.

Authorities say the tragedy involved a group of 15 backcountry skiers, including 11 clients and 4 guides, on a multi-day guided expedition organized by Blackbird Mountain Guides.

Eight people are confirmed dead, one more person is presumed dead.

“We are deeply grateful for the extensive recovery efforts of Nevada County Search and Rescue, Tahoe Nordic Search and Rescue, and all involved authorities, and the support from the Tahoe community and beyond,” the families said in a statement. he said.

“We are heartbroken and doing our best to care for each other and our families the way we know these women would want,” they added.

Officials announced Thursday that all National Forest lands and roads around Castle Peak will be closed for approximately a month, from Feb. 20 to March 15, to continue efforts to rescue the last person missing.

This image provided by the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office shows members of a rescue team in Soda Springs, California, on Tuesday, February 17, 2026. (Nevada County Sheriff’s Office via AP)

Officials emphasized that emergency personnel may need to use snow machines, aircraft and even explosives during operations.

“Due to the current instability of the snowpack and the need to prioritize first responder access to the area, the public is prohibited from entering the closed area during search and rescue operations,” the U.S. Forest Service-Tahoe National Forest said. he said.

“Ensuring the safety of first responders during this rescue mission and helping each victim return to their families is our top priority,” Tahoe National Forest Ranger Chris Feutrier said in a statement. he added. “We offer our deepest condolences to the families who lost loved ones due to this tragic event. We offer our sincere thanks to all first responders, law enforcement, and our partners who supported this recovery.”

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The avalanche was the deadliest in the United States since 1981, when 11 climbers were killed on Mount Rainier in Washington state. It was also the second fatal slide near Castle Peak this year, after a man on a snowmobile was buried in January.