Many questions remain after what is being described as the deadliest avalanche in the United States in decades.

As investigators continue piecing together exactly what happened, families are beginning to share the names and stories of the people whose lives were lost in the tragedy.

A Catastrophic Slide in the Sierra Nevada

On Tuesday, a powerful avalanche tore through a backcountry skiing route near Castle Peak in the Sierra Nevada, close to Lake Tahoe. The slide struck during a guided multiday expedition involving 15 skiers.

Authorities say the group was heading back to camp when the avalanche hit around 11:30 a.m. local time. What began as a search-and-rescue mission later shifted to recovery efforts as hopes of finding additional survivors diminished.

Nevada County Sheriff Shannan Moon confirmed that rescuers worked for hours to locate those buried beneath the snow.

“They were on their way back to camp when the avalanche actually hit,” Moon said.

At least eight deaths have been confirmed, with one additional skier still missing and presumed dead. Officials have described the incident as the deadliest avalanche in California’s history and the most lethal in the United States since 1981.

The Women Behind the Headlines

As news of the tragedy spread, loved ones identified at least six of the victims as members of a tight-knit circle of mothers who shared not only a love of skiing, but a deep friendship rooted in years of shared adventures.

In a joint statement, their families named:

Kate Vitt

Carrie Atkin

Danielle Keatley

Kate Morse

Caroline Sekar

Liz Clabaugh

Caroline Sekar and Liz Clabaugh were sisters.

“We are devastated beyond words,” their families said. “Our focus right now is supporting our children through this incredible tragedy and honoring the lives of these extraordinary women.”

Many of the women lived in California, Idaho, and the Truckee–Tahoe region. They were described as experienced backcountry skiers, well-trained and equipped with avalanche safety gear. But beyond their skills in the mountains, it was their bond that stood out most.

“They were all mothers, wives and friends, all of whom connected through the love of the outdoors,” the statement continued. “They were passionate, skilled skiers who cherished time together in the mountains.”

Personal Stories of Loss

Among those remembered was Kate Vitt, a Marin County mother of two and former SiriusXM executive. Her community has expressed profound grief as neighbors and friends rally around her husband and children.

Caroline Sekar, 45, a San Francisco mother of two, died alongside her sister Liz Clabaugh, 52, a graduate nurse residency coordinator based in Boise. Their brother spoke about the unbearable loss in an interview with The New York Times.

“I’m just devastated. These are two of the best people I’ve ever known,” he said. “They were incredible sisters, mothers, wives and friends. And the idea that they are both gone is, I don’t even know how to put it into words.”

Several of the victims were connected to Sugar Bowl Academy, a competitive ski school community that is now mourning alongside the families.

“This tragedy has affected each and every one of us,” Executive Director Stephen McMahon said. “The depth of support for the families whose lives have been changed forever reminds us of how special this community is.”

Recovery Efforts and Community Support

The avalanche prompted an extensive multi-agency response, including Nevada County Search and Rescue and Tahoe Nordic Search and Rescue teams. Recovery operations have been hampered by unstable snowpack and severe weather conditions.

Authorities have closed public access to the Castle Peak area through mid-March to protect first responders working in dangerous terrain.

Despite the overwhelming grief, families have expressed deep gratitude for the efforts of rescue teams and the outpouring of support from across the region.

“We are profoundly grateful for the extensive rescue efforts … and for the outpouring of support from the Tahoe community and beyond,” the families said.

Still, the pain remains immense.

“We are heartbroken and are doing our best to care for one another and our families in the way we know these women would have wanted.”

As communities across several states mourn, the tragedy serves as a sobering reminder of both the beauty and unpredictability of the mountains — and of the irreplaceable lives behind every headline.