California avalanche victims recognized: 6 moms killed in Sierra Nevada

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At the very least six victims have been recognized within the tragic avalanche incident on Tuesday that killed as much as 9 folks in Sierra Nevada, close to Lake Tahoe, California .

Six of the victims had been amongst a gaggle of outdoor-loving moms who commonly traveled collectively. A joint assertion from the affected families recognized the ladies as Kate Vitt, Carrie Atkin, Danielle Keatley, Kate Morse, and sisters Caroline Sekar and Liz Clabaugh.

"We're devastated past phrases," the households stated within the assertion. "Our focus proper now's supporting our youngsters by way of this unimaginable tragedy and honoring the lives of those extraordinary ladies."

All the ladies had been described as "moms, wives, and associates, all of whom related by way of the love of the outside."

8 SKIERS FOUND DEAD, 1 MISSING AFTER MASSIVE LAKE TAHOE AVALANCHE

Kate Vitt was a SiriusXM govt and mom of two. (Kate Vitt/X)

Nevada County Sheriff Shannan Moon stated throughout a information convention Wednesday that authorities had informed the households the mission had shifted from rescue to restoration.

"They had been on their approach again to camp when the avalanche truly hit," Moon stated, including that it took search and rescue crews hours to seek out the primary few survivors.

The group of ladies, most of whom resided close to California, had been reportedly seasoned backcountry skiers. They had been reportedly well-trained, absolutely ready, and outfitted with avalanche security gear.

"They had been passionate, expert skiers who cherished time collectively within the mountains," the households' assertion stated. "They lived within the Bay Space, Idaho, and the Truckee–Tahoe area."

They expressed being "heartbroken" and stated they're doing their greatest to assist each other and their households in the best way they imagine the moms would have needed.

Caroline Sekar was recognized as one of many deceased in Tuesday's Lake Tahoe avalanche. (Caroline Sekar/Fb)

McAlister Clabaugh, the brother of Sekar and Clabaugh, told The New York Occasions that Sekar, 45, was a mom of two who lived in San Francisco.

Liz Clabaugh, 52, served as a graduate nurse residency program coordinator at St. Luke’s Well being System in Boise, Idaho, in keeping with her LinkedIn profile.

Vitt, a San Francisco resident, held positions at SiriusXM and Pandora, in keeping with her LinkedIn profile, and was a mom to 2 youngsters.

A number of members of the group had been additionally related to Sugar Bowl Academy, an elite boarding and day college for aggressive skiers and snowboarders that has counted a number of Olympians amongst its alumni.

"This tragedy has affected every one among us. The depth of assist for the households whose lives have been modified ceaselessly reminds us of how particular this neighborhood is," Government Director Stephen McMahon stated.

2 SKIERS KILLED IN AVALANCHE ON POPULAR MONT BLANC SKIING ROUTE NEAR FRENCH-SWISS BORDER

Caroline Sekar taking a selfie whereas snowboarding. (Caroline Sekar/Fb)

The Feb. 17 avalanche close to Fortress Peak within the Sierra Nevada mountains turned the deadliest in California’s history .

Authorities reported that the tragedy concerned a gaggle of 15 backcountry skiers , together with 11 purchasers and 4 guides, on a multi-day guided expedition organized by Blackbird Mountain Guides.

Eight folks had been confirmed lifeless, with one extra individual presumed lifeless.

"We're profoundly grateful for the intensive rescue efforts by Nevada County Search and Rescue, Tahoe Nordic Search and Rescue and the entire authorities concerned, and for the outpouring of assist from the Tahoe neighborhood and past," the households stated within the assertion.

"We're heartbroken and are doing our greatest to take care of each other and our households in the best way we all know these ladies would have needed," they added.

To proceed restoration efforts for the ultimate lacking particular person, authorities introduced Thursday that each one Nationwide Forest lands and trails round Fortress Peak shall be closed for roughly one month, from Feb. 20 by way of March 15.

This picture supplied by the Nevada County Sheriff's Workplace exhibits members of a rescue group in Soda Springs, California on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026. (Nevada County Sheriff's Workplace through AP)

Authorities emphasised that emergency personnel might have to make use of snow machines, plane and even explosives throughout the operations.

"As a result of present instability of the snowpack and must prioritize first responder entry to the world, members of the general public are prohibited from getting into the closure space throughout search and rescue operations," the U.S. Forest Service-Tahoe Nationwide Forest stated.

"It's our high precedence to make sure the protection of first responders throughout this restoration mission and support within the return of every sufferer to their households," Tahoe Nationwide Forest Supervisor Chris Feutrier added in a press release. "Our deepest condolences to the households which have misplaced their family members from this tragic incident. Our honest appreciation to all first responders, legislation enforcement and companions which are supporting this restoration."

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The avalanche marks the deadliest within the U.S. since 1981, when 11 climbers had been killed on Mount Rainier in Washington state . It's also the second lethal slide close to Fortress Peak this 12 months after an individual on a snowmobile was buried in January.