Tragic Avalanche Claims Lives of Eight Backcountry Skiers in California

TRUCKEE, Calif. — Families have publicly identified six of the eight backcountry skiers who perished in California’s deadliest avalanche on record. A seventh skier remains unaccounted for and is presumed dead.

The six confirmed victims are:

• Carrie Atkin
• Liz Clabaugh
• Danielle Keatley
• Kate Morse
• Caroline Sekar
• Kate Vitt

In a heartfelt statement released on Thursday, the families expressed their devastation: “Our focus right now is supporting our children through this incredible tragedy and honoring the lives of these extraordinary women. They were all mothers, wives, and friends, linked together by their passion for the outdoors.”

The victims were skilled and experienced backcountry skiers from various locales, including San Francisco, Idaho, and the Truckee-Tahoe region.

Victim Profiles

Kate Vitt

Kate Vitt was an accomplished streaming music executive with over a decade of experience. She most recently held the position of Vice President of Product Operations at SiriusXM in San Francisco. Kate graduated from Boston College in 2004 with a degree in English and previously worked at Pandora for more than eight years.

Caroline Sekar

Caroline Sekar, 45, lived in San Francisco with her husband and two children. Described as the “sunshine” of her neighborhood, she was known for her kindness and positivity. Sekar was the sister of Liz Clabaugh.

Liz Clabaugh

Liz, 52, resided in Boise, Idaho, and served as a clinical educator at St. Luke’s Health System. Her career was noted for her dedication to healthcare education.

Carrie Atkin

Carrie Atkin was a former corporate executive and Division I athlete. She held a BA in Applied Mathematics and Economics from Harvard University and lived in Lake Tahoe with her husband and two children.

Danielle Keatley

Danielle Keatley hailed from Marin County and co-founded Keatley Wines in Healdsburg, California. After spending time in Connecticut and Provence, France, she moved to San Francisco, where she attended the University of Virginia.

Kate Morse

Kate Morse was associated with the biotech firm Septerna, where she was recently appointed Vice President of Commercial Strategy. Her contributions to her field left a lasting impact on her colleagues and family.

Timeline of the Avalanche Incident

The group of fifteen skiers began a three-day excursion over Presidents Day weekend, staying at the Frog Lake huts near Castle Peak since February 15. Tragically, the avalanche struck at approximately 11:30 a.m. on February 17, during the final day of their trip.

The Nevada County Sheriff’s Office reported that difficult blizzard conditions hindered immediate access to the avalanche site. Search and rescue teams arrived around 5:30 p.m., utilizing a snowcat and skiing the remaining distance to safely navigate the area, where they found the only survivors—a guide and five clients.

Efforts to recover the bodies were paused as of Thursday due to hazardous weather conditions, which will delay the official identification of the deceased.

In a statement, the families of the victims expressed profound gratitude for the rescue efforts by local authorities, highlighting that the skiers had received proper avalanche safety training and were adequately equipped for their backcountry trip.

The families request privacy during this challenging time as they strive to support one another through the heartbreak and mourning of their loved ones. They emphasized the deceased’s mutual respect for the mountains and their shared experiences as skilled skiers.

Historical Context

This avalanche marks a solemn chapter in California’s history, occurring roughly a mile from another deadly avalanche that buried a snowmobiler in January. Since 1950, the state has reported 57 fatal avalanches, illustrating the urgent need for awareness and safety in winter sports.

For further updates on winter sports safety and avalanche news, visit KCRA or subscribe to their newsletter.

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