The jagged peaks of the Sierra Nevada have always held a magnetic pull for those who seek solace and exhilaration in nature’s raw power. For six extraordinary women—mothers, wives, friends, and passionate backcountry skiers—the mountains near Lake Tahoe represented far more than a weekend escape. They were a sacred space where lifelong bonds deepened, where laughter echoed across powder-covered slopes, and where the shared thrill of adventure reminded them of life’s deepest joys. On Tuesday, February 17, 2026, that cherished ritual turned catastrophic when a massive avalanche roared down Castle Peak, claiming nine lives in what has become California’s deadliest recorded avalanche. Among the victims were six remarkable mothers whose passion for the outdoors brought them together time and again: Carrie Atkin, Liz Clabaugh, Danielle Keatley, Kate Morse, Caroline Sekar, and Kate Vitt. Their story is one of unbreakable friendship, fierce love for family and nature, and a heartbreaking reminder of how unforgiving the mountains can be—even to the most prepared and experienced.
The tragedy unfolded during a meticulously planned three-day backcountry ski trip organized through Blackbird Mountain Guides, a respected outfitter specializing in guided tours in the Tahoe National Forest. The group departed from the remote Frog Lake Backcountry Huts, a cozy, off-grid refuge perched at 7,600 feet, accessible only by ski, snowboard, or snowshoe. The expedition, timed for Presidents’ Day weekend, promised pristine powder, stunning vistas of the Sierra Nevada, and precious time away from everyday demands. Most of the women hailed from the San Francisco Bay Area—Marin County, San Francisco, and nearby communities—while others had ties to Idaho and the Truckee-Tahoe region. They were not novices; they were seasoned backcountry enthusiasts who carried avalanche safety gear—beacons, probes, shovels—and had undergone training to navigate the alpine wilderness responsibly.
The six women shared a profound connection forged through years of raising families while carving out space for their own passions. Many had met through overlapping circles in the Bay Area’s vibrant outdoor community, some tracing friendships back to college days at Stanford University. Their annual or semi-regular trips to Tahoe became a ritual of renewal—a chance to reconnect, challenge themselves, and escape into the silence of snow-covered forests. Families described them as “mothers, wives and friends, all of whom connected through the love of the outdoors.” They were women who balanced demanding careers, school schedules, soccer practices, and bedtime stories with the pursuit of adventure that kept their spirits alive.
Carrie Atkin embodied that balance with grace. A former corporate executive and Division I track and field athlete, she held a BA in Applied Mathematics with Economics from Harvard University. After years in high-powered roles, she transitioned into leadership coaching, helping others navigate professional and personal growth. Carrie lived in the Truckee-Tahoe area with her husband and two children, embracing the mountain lifestyle fully. Neighbors remember her as warm, driven, and deeply committed to her family—always the one organizing community events or cheering at her kids’ games. On the slopes, she was known for her precision and calm under pressure, qualities that made her a natural leader in any group.
Sisters Liz Clabaugh and Caroline Sekar brought an extra layer of familial warmth to the circle. Liz, 52, from Boise, Idaho, and Caroline, 45, from San Francisco, shared a bond that extended far beyond blood. Their brother, McAlister Clabaugh, spoke poignantly of their unbreakable connection and shared love for adventure. Liz worked as a clinical educator and coordinator at St. Luke’s Health System, where she was respected for her compassion and expertise. Caroline, a Boston College graduate with a degree in English, had built a career that reflected her thoughtful nature. The sisters’ presence on the trip was a celebration of their enduring relationship—time stolen amid busy lives to laugh, ski, and simply be together in the places they loved most.
Danielle Keatley and Kate Morse, both from Marin County, represented the quiet strength that defined the group. Danielle was known for her infectious enthusiasm and dedication to wellness and community. Kate Morse carried a similar spirit of generosity, always ready with encouragement or a helping hand. Their friendships with the others had deepened over years of shared hikes, ski trips, and motherhood milestones. They were the ones who remembered birthdays, sent thoughtful notes, and made sure everyone felt included.
Kate Vitt, the former radio executive, brought a creative, dynamic energy to the group. A mother of two young children who attended elementary school in the Kentfield School District, Kate lived in Greenbrae (or nearby Mill Valley/Marin County areas) with her husband Geoff. She had spent over a decade in the music and media industry, serving as vice president of product operations and customer success at SiriusXM until 2025. Before that, she worked at Pandora, helping shape the streaming experience for millions. Colleagues remembered her as innovative, kind, and fiercely intelligent. For Kate, the mountains offered a counterpoint to her high-tech world—a place to unplug, breathe deeply, and reconnect with what truly mattered.
The avalanche struck with terrifying suddenness on Tuesday morning as the group was making their way back toward their vehicles after two nights at the huts. Castle Peak, rising to 9,110 feet north of Donner Summit, had been blanketed by heavy recent snowfalls, creating unstable conditions despite mitigation efforts. The slide buried much of the party under tons of snow. Six people survived: one guide, two women from the friend group who were not among the six named victims, and three male clients. They managed to locate some victims initially and called for help. Rescue teams from multiple agencies—including the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office, California Highway Patrol, National Guard, and volunteers—raced to the scene, but treacherous weather and ongoing avalanche risk delayed full recovery.
By Saturday, February 21, all nine bodies had been recovered after deliberate avalanche mitigation and aerial surveys. The deceased included the six mothers, three Blackbird Mountain Guides—Andrew Alysandratos (34, Verdi, Nevada), Michael Henry (30, Tampa, Florida), and Nicole “Nikki” Tew (42, South Lake Tahoe)—and one additional skier presumed dead earlier in the search. Authorities have not released further details on the guides, respecting family privacy. The Nevada County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate, including potential questions about guide decisions, weather forecasting, and group preparedness, though early reports emphasize the participants’ experience and equipment.
The loss has reverberated far beyond the Tahoe basin. In Marin County, neighbors in Greenbrae and Kentfield expressed shock and sorrow, describing Kate Vitt as an exemplary mother whose absence leaves an irreplaceable void. Schools held moments of silence for children who lost a classmate’s mom. In Truckee, Carrie’s community mourned a woman who had become part of the fabric of mountain life. Boise felt the ripple for Liz Clabaugh, while San Francisco and beyond grieved the sisters and their circle.
Tributes poured in from friends, colleagues, and the wider outdoor community. Social media filled with photos of the women smiling on summits, hugging at trailheads, or laughing around campfires. One friend wrote, “They lived fully, loved deeply, and chased joy in the mountains that gave them so much.” Another reflected on the special role of “mom groups” in outdoor pursuits—how these adventures provide essential respite, strength, and sisterhood amid the chaos of parenting.
The incident marks the deadliest avalanche in California history and one of the worst in recent U.S. memory. It has prompted renewed calls for avalanche awareness, better forecasting access, and support for backcountry safety education. South Lake Tahoe’s mayor urged caution, noting 14 snow-sports-related deaths in the region this month alone, and pledged discussions with partners on enhanced safety measures.
Yet amid the grief, the legacy of these six mothers shines brightly. They were not reckless thrill-seekers but intentional women who chose to embrace life’s risks for the rewards of connection and wonder. Their passion for the mountains brought them together, forged unbreakable bonds, and ultimately claimed them too soon. They leave behind husbands, children, siblings, and friends who will carry their spirit forward—on future trails, in quiet moments of reflection, and in the courage to keep loving fiercely.
Rest in peace, Carrie, Liz, Danielle, Kate Morse, Caroline, and Kate Vitt. Your light in the mountains will never fade. May the slopes you loved hold you gently, and may your families find solace in the memories of every perfect turn, every shared sunrise, and every moment you chose to live boldly.
In the Sierra Nevada, where beauty and danger coexist in delicate balance, their story endures as both tragedy and tribute—a reminder to cherish every adventure, every friendship, and every breath taken in the thin, cold air of the high country.
