Two sisters—Caroline Sekar, 45, of San Francisco, and Liz Clabaugh, 52, of Boise—have been identified by family members as among the victims of a backcountry avalanche in the Castle Peak area of the Tahoe National Forest on Feb. 17. Authorities say eight people have been found dead and one remains missing and is presumed deceased. Many in the group were longtime college friends, with ties to Stanford and the Sugar Bowl skiing community. Recovery efforts were delayed by hazardous weather and are expected to continue through the weekend.
Two Sisters Identified Among Eight Killed in California Avalanche; Brother Mourns 'Best People I've Ever Known'
Rescuers search for victims of the avalanche near Castle Peak in the Tahoe National ForestNevada County Sheriff's Office
Two sisters have been publicly identified as among the victims of a deadly backcountry avalanche that struck the Castle Peak area of the Tahoe National Forest on Feb. 17. Authorities say eight people have been found dead and one person remains unlocated and is presumed deceased.
Victims Identified
Family members have named the sisters as Caroline Sekar, 45, of San Francisco, and Liz Clabaugh, 52, of Boise, Idaho. Their brother, McAlister Clabaugh, 50, confirmed their identities to reporters and described the family’s grief.
“I’m just devastated. These are two of the best people I’ve ever known. They were incredible sisters, mothers, wives and friends. And the idea that they are both gone is, I don’t even know how to put it into words.”
McAlister said Caroline was a mother of two who previously worked in the tech industry. He added that many in the group had been friends since college—several attended Stanford University—and that the friends regularly reunited for ski trips.
Community Ties and Local Impact
Local reporting and statements indicate the victims included members of the skiing community connected to Sugar Bowl Resort. The Sugar Bowl Academy, a ski school affiliated with the resort, confirmed that multiple members of its community and others with strong connections to Sugar Bowl, Donner Summit, and the backcountry community were among those killed.
Recovery Efforts
The Nevada County Sheriff’s Office (NCSO) said hazardous weather conditions prevented safe extraction of the avalanche victims on Feb. 19, and recovery operations were expected to continue through the weekend. Officials have not yet released a full list of victims’ names; family members have provided some identifications to the press.
This remains an active and developing situation as search and recovery teams continue their work in challenging conditions.
Help us improve.
