Ask Onix
Deadliest avalanche in modern California history claims eight lives
Eight skiers died after a massive avalanche struck near Castle Peak in the Sierra Nevada on Tuesday, with rescue teams still searching for a ninth missing person presumed dead. The victims were part of a close-knit group of outdoor enthusiasts who frequently skied together.
Victims identified as mothers, wives, and friends
Families released the names of six victims on Thursday, all women who shared a passion for skiing and the outdoors. The deceased have been identified as Caroline Sekar, Liz Clabaugh, Carrie Atkin, Danielle Keatley, Kate Morse, and Kate Vitt. They resided in the Bay Area, Idaho, and the Truckee-Tahoe region.
"We are devastated beyond words. Our focus right now is supporting our children through this incredible tragedy and honoring the lives of these extraordinary women."
Statement from the families
Sekar, 45, of San Francisco, and Clabaugh, 52, of Boise, were sisters. Their brother, McAlister Clabaugh, described them as "two of the best people I've ever known," noting their deep bonds as sisters, mothers, wives, and friends.
Group dynamics and community impact
The 15-person ski group included long-time friends who had known each other since university. Many were mothers from Marin County, including Mill Valley, where Mayor Max Perrey confirmed some of the victims resided. One of the deceased was married to a member of a search-and-rescue team, adding emotional strain to recovery efforts, according to Placer County Sheriff Wayne Woo.
Three guides from Blackbird Mountain Guides, who were leading the group on a three-day backcountry expedition, were among those killed. Sugar Bowl Academy, a local ski school, also reported multiple community members among the victims but declined to provide further details until the search concludes.
Rescue efforts hampered by severe weather
Rescuers have recovered the bodies of seven women and one man but continue searching for a second missing man presumed dead. Hazardous weather, including heavy snow and high winds, has delayed recovery operations. The Nevada County Sheriff's Office stated that efforts would likely extend into the weekend.
Sheriff Shannan Moon noted that poor conditions have prevented the transport of bodies from the backcountry to a morgue in Truckee. The National Weather Service issued another winter weather advisory for the Lake Tahoe area, forecasting an additional 6-12 inches of snow and near whiteout conditions.
Officials urge public to avoid backcountry
Placer County Sheriff Woo has asked the public to avoid mountain travel and backcountry areas to allow rescue teams to focus on recovery efforts. The avalanche, described as the size of a football field, struck during California's popular "ski week" holidays, marking the deadliest such incident in the state's modern history.
