Avalanche Kills 8 Near Lake Tahoe

An avalanche near Lake Tahoe has killed at least 8 people, with one still missing. The victims include 6 mothers who loved the outdoors and skied together.

The group of women, all seasoned backcountry skiers, were on a guided expedition when the avalanche hit. They were described as passionate and skilled, and their families are heartbroken.

Victims Identified

The victims have been identified as Kate Vitt, Carrie Atkin, Danielle Keatley, Kate Morse, and sisters Caroline Sekar and Liz Clabaugh. They were all mothers, wives, and friends who connected through their love of the outdoors.

McAlister Clabaugh, the brother of Sekar and Clabaugh, said his sisters were amazing people who will be deeply missed. Vitt, a San Francisco resident, worked at SiriusXM and Pandora, and was a mother of two.

Rescue Efforts

Authorities have shifted their mission from rescue to recovery, and all National Forest lands and trails around Castle Peak will be closed for a month. The U.S. Forest Service-Tahoe National Forest said it’s their top priority to ensure the safety of first responders during this recovery mission.