Families confirm deaths of 6 mothers killed in Tahoe avalanche

"Our focus right now is supporting our children through this incredible tragedy and honoring the lives of these extraordinary women," the statement said. "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."

"The families released the names of the six women: Carrie Atkin, Liz Clabaugh, Danielle Keatley, Kate Morse, Caroline Sekar and Kate Vitt. The women were part of a 15-person group that was on a professionally guided two-night backcountry trip to the Frog Lake huts. They were hit by an avalanche around 11:30 a.m. Tuesday in the Castle Peak area north of Donner Pass. The slide was as big as a football field and buried multiple skiers, according to officials."

"Six people survived and were rescued, with injured survivors transported to a nearby hospital, while eight have been confirmed dead. A ninth person remains missing but is presumed to also have died, according to Nevada County Sheriff Shannan Moon. Dozens of search and rescue crews hiked and used snowcats to access the avalanche site Tuesday night and rescue the six survivors, but the crews have been unable to retrieve the victims' bodies or continue searching for the ninth missing skier while Tahoe experiences continued heavy snow with high avalanche risk."

Six women — Carrie Atkin, Liz Clabaugh, Danielle Keatley, Kate Morse, Caroline Sekar and Kate Vitt — died after an avalanche struck a professionally guided, 15-person backcountry ski trip to the Frog Lake huts near Castle Peak north of Donner Pass. The slide, about the size of a football field, struck around 11:30 a.m. and buried multiple skiers. Six people survived and were rescued; injured survivors were taken to a nearby hospital. Eight bodies have been confirmed and a ninth person remains missing and is presumed dead. Heavy snowfall and elevated avalanche risk have prevented recovery crews from retrieving bodies or continuing the search. Families report many unanswered questions and are focused on supporting children and honoring the women.

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