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At least six victims have been identified in Tuesday’s tragic avalanche incident that killed up to nine people in the Sierra Nevada near Lake Tahoe, California.
Six of the victims were part of a group of outdoor-loving mothers who traveled together regularly. A joint statement from affected families identified the women as Kate Vitt, Carrie Atkin, Danielle Keatley, Kate Morse and sisters Caroline Sekar and Liz Clabaugh.
“We are devastated beyond words,” the families said in the statement. “Our focus right now is on supporting our children during this incredible tragedy and honoring the lives of these extraordinary women.”
All of the women were described as “mothers, wives and friends, all connected through love of the outdoors.”
8 SKIERS FOUND DEAD AND 1 MISSING AFTER MASSIVE LAKE TAHOE AVALANCHE
Kate Vitt was a SiriusXM executive and mother of two. (Kate Vitt/X)
Nevada County Sheriff Shannan Moon said during a news conference Wednesday that authorities had told families the mission had moved from rescue to recovery.
“They were on their way back to camp when the avalanche really hit,” Moon said, adding that it took search and rescue teams hours to find the first survivors.
The group of women, most of whom resided near California, were reportedly experienced backcountry skiers. They were reportedly well trained, fully prepared and equipped with avalanche safety equipment.
“They were passionate and skilled skiers who cherished time together in the mountains,” the families’ statement said. “They lived in the Bay Area, Idaho and the Truckee-Tahoe region.”
They expressed being “heartbroken” and said they are doing everything they can to support each other and their families in the way they believe the mothers would have wanted.
Caroline Sekar was identified as one of those killed in Tuesday’s Lake Tahoe avalanche. (Caroline Sékar/Facebook)
McAlister Clabaugh, brother of Sekar and Clabaugh, told The New York Times that Sekar, 45, was a mother of two children and lived in San Francisco.
Liz Clabaugh, 52, served as graduate nursing residency program coordinator at St. Luke’s Health System in Boise, Idaho, according to her LinkedIn profile.
Vitt, a San Francisco resident, holds positions at SiriusXM and Pandora, according to his LinkedIn profile.
Several members of the group were also connected to Sugar Bowl Academy, an elite boarding and day school for competitive skiers and snowboarders that has counted several Olympic athletes among its students.
“This tragedy has affected each and every one of us. The deep support for the families whose lives have been changed forever reminds us how special this community is,” said CEO Stephen McMahon.
2 SKIERS KILLED IN AVALANCHE ON POPULAR MONT BLANC SKI ROUTE NEAR FRENCH-SWISS BORDER
Caroline Sekar takes a selfie while skiing. (Caroline Sékar/Facebook)
The Feb. 17 avalanche near Castle Peak in the Sierra Nevada Mountains became the deadliest in California history.
Authorities said 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 were confirmed dead and one more person is presumed dead.
“We are deeply grateful for the extensive rescue efforts by Nevada County Search and Rescue, Tahoe Nordic Search and Rescue and all authorities involved, and for the outpouring of support from the Tahoe community and beyond,” the families said in the statement.
“We are heartbroken and are doing everything we can to take care of each other and our families in the way we know these women would have wanted,” they added.
To continue recovery efforts for the latest missing individual, officials announced Thursday that all National Forest lands and trails around Castle Peak will be closed for approximately one month, from Feb. 20 to March 15.
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 stressed that emergency personnel may need to use snowplows, airplanes 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.
“Our top priority is to ensure the safety of first responders during this recovery mission and help each victim return to their families,” Tahoe National Forest Supervisor Chris Feutrier added in a statement. “Our deepest condolences to the families who have lost loved ones in this tragic incident. Our sincere thanks to all first responders, law enforcement and partners supporting this recovery.”
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The avalanche is the deadliest in the United States since 1981, when 11 climbers died on Mount Rainier in Washington state. It is also the second fatal slide near Castle Peak this year after a person on a snowmobile was buried in January.