The identities of three of theeight backcountry skierskilled in a deadly avalanche at Lake Tahoe’s Castle Peak have been revealed.
Kate Vitt, a former Sirius XM radio executive and mother of two from Marin County, was thefirst avalanche victim identifiedThursday.
Sisters were also identified as victims in the catastrophic event —Caroline Sekar, 45, and Liz Clabaugh, 52, were on a trip with friends from Stanford University when they got caught in the avalanche.
The tragedy happened on the final day of a three-day excursion led by Blackbird Mountain Guides north of Lake Tahoe.
Four guides and 11 clients werestruck by the avalanchearound 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, authorities said.
The snowslide prompted a desperate rescue mission, with nearly 50 first responders heading to the scene using snowmobiles, snowcats and personal skis. Six of the 15 people were rescued — five women and one man — aged 30 to 55.
While eight people have been confirmed dead, a ninth is still missing and presumed dead.
Additional reporting by Matt Troutman
Source: California Post – Breaking California News, Photos & Videos
