There are still many unanswered questions after the deadliest avalanche in the U.S. in decades.
But we now know more about several of the people who tragically lost their lives.
A devastating avalanche in the Sierra Nevada near Lake Tahoe has left families shattered after up to nine people were killed during a backcountry skiing expedition Tuesday.
As details continue to emerge, loved ones have identified at least six of the victims as a close-knit group of mothers who shared a passion for the outdoors and a tradition of traveling together.
In a joint statement, their families named the women as Kate Vitt, Carrie Atkin, Danielle Keatley, Kate Morse, and sisters Caroline Sekar and Liz Clabaugh — describing them as inseparable friends bound by adventure and deep love for their families.
”We are devastated beyond words,” the families said in the statement. “Our focus right now is supporting our children through this incredible tragedy and honoring the lives of these extraordinary women.”
The women, many of whom lived in California, Idaho, and the Truckee–Tahoe region, were experienced backcountry skiers equipped with avalanche safety gear. Their loved ones said their bond extended far beyond skiing
”They were 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.”
