Avalanche in Sierra Nevada Claims Lives of Eight, Including Boise Woman
– A devastating avalanche near Lake Tahoe in the Sierra Nevada Mountains has claimed the lives of eight skiers, including a woman from Boise, Idaho. The tragedy unfolded on , near Castle Peak, approximately 90 miles northeast of Sacramento.
The victims were identified as experienced skiers and mothers, according to a statement released by their families. Liz Clabaugh, , of Boise, was among those killed. Her sister, Caroline Sekar, , also perished in the avalanche. Other victims include Carrie Atkin, Danielle Keatley, Kate Morse, Kate Vitt, and an additional woman whose name has not yet been released.
The group was part of a 15-person backcountry touring group led by Blackbird Mountain Guides when the avalanche struck. They were on the final day of a three-day expedition. One member of the group opted out of the trip shortly before the avalanche occurred, reducing the number on the mountain to 14 skiers and four guides.
Rescue efforts were hampered by challenging conditions, including heavy snowfall. Sheriff Shannan Moon of Nevada County stated that rescuers were dealing with “highly dangerous” conditions, with additional snow expected and an avalanche warning remaining in effect. Six individuals were initially rescued from the scene – one man and five women aged to .
The six rescued skiers were able to correspond with first responders using the SOS feature on their iPhones, allowing rescuers to locate them. Two of those rescued required hospitalization.
As of , one skier remained missing and is presumed dead, according to authorities. The avalanche’s death toll is the largest in the state in decades.
Castle Peak, located miles southwest of Reno, Nevada, is a popular tourist destination near Donner Summit, a region steeped in history due to the tragic story of the Donner Party, who perished in the surrounding mountains in the mid-nineteenth century.
The families of the victims released a joint statement expressing their devastation. They described the women as “all mothers, wives and friends, all of whom connected through the love of the outdoors. They were passionate, skilled skiers who cherished time together in the mountains.”
This avalanche marks the second deadly incident near Castle Peak this year. A snowmobiler was buried in an avalanche in early January, according to the Associated Press.
Search efforts for the missing skier are expected to continue over the coming weekend, despite the ongoing risks posed by unstable snow conditions.
