Six Women Identified as Victims of Deadly Lake Tahoe Avalanche
The six women confirmed as victims of the devastating avalanche near Lake Tahoe on , have been identified as Carrie Atkin, Lizabeth Clabaugh, Danielle Keatley, Kate Morse, Caroline Sekar and Katherine Vitt. The group was among eight skiers confirmed dead following the incident at Castle Peak, with one skier still missing and presumed deceased.
Authorities confirmed the identities on , revealing the victims as Carrie Atkin, 46, of Soda Springs, California. Lizabeth Clabaugh, 52, of Boise, Idaho; Danielle Keatley, 44, of Soda Springs and Larkspur, California; Kate Morse, 45, of Soda Springs and Tiburon, California; Caroline Sekar, 45, of Soda Springs and San Francisco, California; and Katherine Vitt, 43, of Greenbrae, California.
The tragedy unfolded on as a group of 15 skiers was struck by an avalanche near Castle Peak in Nevada County, north of Boreal Mountain Ski Resort. The area had been battered by a heavy snowstorm, creating blizzard conditions in the higher elevations of the Sierra Nevada mountain range.
According to a statement released by a spokesperson for the families, the six women were close friends who shared a passion for the outdoors. “They were all mothers, wives and friends, all of whom connected through the love of the outdoors,” the statement read. “They were passionate, skilled skiers who cherished time together in the mountains.”
The group had embarked on a professionally guided, two-night backcountry hut trip to Frog Lake Huts outside of Truckee, equipped with avalanche safety gear and trained for backcountry skiing.
Caroline Sekar, of San Francisco, was identified by a family friend as being on a guided overnight backcountry skiing trip. The friend, who asked to remain anonymous, described the loss as “a horrible tragedy,” adding that Sekar died “off of I-80 up there near Sugar Bowl.” Sekar is survived by her husband and two young children.
Kate Vitt, also among the deceased, was a mother of students attending elementary school in the Kentfield School District in Marin County, according to reporting from The New York Times.
Danielle Keatley, of Marin County, co-founded Keatley Wines with her husband and was a well-known figure in the local community, frequently supporting organizations and sharing her wines at events. Larkspur Mayor Stephanie Andre described Keatley as a “radiant, beautiful soul” who was “warm, kind and exuded a special quality that drew people to her.”
The incident is being described as the deadliest avalanche in California history. Eight of the nine skiers initially reported missing have now been found dead, and authorities presume the ninth is also deceased. Six skiers were rescued from the scene.
The families of the victims are focusing on supporting their children and honoring the lives of the women, who were described as experienced and skilled skiers.
Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the avalanche.
