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Authorities reported that the group was returning to camp when the avalanche struck near Castle Peak in the Sierra Nevada. They had been part of a guided, multi-day expedition involving 15 skiers. Nevada County Sheriff Shannan Moon later confirmed that the search shifted from rescue to recovery as chances of finding additional survivors dwindled.
“They were on their way back to camp when the avalanche hit,” Moon said, noting that it took rescuers hours to locate the first survivors.
Remembering the Women
Among the victims was Kate Vitt, a mother of two and former SiriusXM executive from Marin County. Community members expressed shock and grief as they rallied around the affected families.
Caroline Sekar, 45, of San Francisco, died alongside her sister Liz Clabaugh, 52, a Boise-based graduate nurse residency coordinator. Their brother told The New York Times about the profound loss:
“I’m just devastated. These are two of the best people I’ve ever known. They were incredible sisters, mothers, wives, and friends. The idea that they are both gone—I don’t even know how to put it into words.”
Several members of the group were part of Sugar Bowl Academy, a competitive ski school community that is now mourning with friends and families.
“This tragedy has touched every one of us. The depth of support for the families whose lives have been forever changed shows how special this community is,” Executive Director Stephen McMahon said, according to Fox News.
Community Grief and Ongoing Recovery
The avalanche occurred around 11:30 a.m. local time, triggering a large-scale search-and-rescue operation involving multiple agencies. Harsh weather and unstable snow have made recovery difficult, and public access to the Castle Peak area has been closed through mid-March to protect first responders.
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