NEVADA CITY, Calif. — A catastrophic avalanche near Castle Peak has claimed the lives of eight people, marking the deadliest avalanche in the United States in decades. One additional skier remains missing and is presumed dead, while six others survived the terrifying ordeal. Authorities say recovery efforts are ongoing, but unstable snow conditions and continued avalanche risk have made operations extremely dangerous for search crews.
According to the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office, the avalanche struck a group of experienced backcountry skiers who were on a guided hut trip near Frog Lake Huts outside Truckee. The group had carefully planned the two-night excursion and were equipped with avalanche safety gear. Family members said the women were trained, cautious and deeply respectful of the mountains they loved.
Six of the victims were mothers from the Bay Area, the Truckee-Tahoe region and Idaho. Those publicly identified include Carrie Atkin of the Truckee-Tahoe area; Danielle Keatley, Kate Morse and Kate Vitt of Marin County; Caroline Sekar, 45, of San Francisco; and Liz Clabaugh, 52, of Boise. Several of the women reportedly attended Stanford University together, forming lifelong friendships centered on family and outdoor adventure.
In Mill Valley and across Marin County, neighbors described the women as devoted mothers and vibrant members of their communities. The Kentfield School District shared the heartbreaking news with families. Caroline Sekar’s husband told The New York Times that she spent her final days “doing what she loved best.” Friends said she radiated positivity and joy.
The group of 15 skiers had set out as winter storm warnings intensified in the Sierra Nevada. They were staying in high-country huts accessible only by challenging backcountry trails. Sugar Bowl Academy released a statement mourning skiers with close ties to its community, calling the loss unimaginable.
In a joint statement, the families said they are “devastated beyond words” and focused on supporting their children through the tragedy. They expressed gratitude to local search and rescue teams working in hazardous conditions. As recovery efforts continue, communities across Northern California and Idaho are united in grief, remembering the women not only as skilled skiers, but as loving mothers, wives and cherished friends.
