The families of six women killed inthe deadliest avalanchein the U.S. in over 40 years say all of them were married mothers who "connected through the love of the outdoors."
In a statement send to USA TODAY on Thursday, Feb. 19, the families identified their loved ones as Carrie Atkin, Liz Clabaugh, Danielle Keatley, Kate Morse, Caroline Sekar and Kate Vitt. They were among eight killedwhen an avalanche strucktheir party of 15in the backcountryof California's Sierra Nevada just outside Lake Tahoe on Feb. 17.A ninth personhas not been recovered and is presumed dead, while there weresix survivors.
"We are devastated beyond words," the family members said. "Our focus right now is supporting our children through this incredible tragedy and honoring the lives of these extraordinary women ... They were passionate, skilled skiers who cherished time together in the mountains."
The women lived in the San Francisco Bay Area, the Lake Tahoe-Truckee region, and Idaho.
The company that was guiding the trip that the women were on, Truckee-based Blackbird Mountain Guides,is facing tough questionsabout why the backcountry adventure moved forwarddespite dire warningsabout a storm that was expected to bringup to 8 feetof fresh snow and create "very dangerous" avalanche conditions.
"We have many unanswered questions," the families said. "But here is what we know at this time: Eight close friends planned a professionally guided, two-night backcountry hut trip toFrog Lake hutsoutside Truckee, California. The trip had been organized well in advance. They were experienced backcountry skiers who deeply respected the mountains. They were trained and prepared for backcountry travel and trusted their professional guides on this trip."
Here's more from the families and what Blackbird Mountain Guides is saying about the tragedy.
Inside the search for missing skiers after California avalanche
Blackbird Mountain Guides founder: Guides were 'highly experienced'
The four guides who led the 11 guests into and throughout the backcountry were "highly experienced," Blackbird Mountain Guides founder Zeb Blaissaid in a statementon Feb. 18.
"There is still a lot that we're learning about what happened," he said. "It's too soon to draw conclusions, but investigations are underway ... We ask that people following this tragedy refrain from speculating. We don't have all the answers yet, and it may be some time before we do."
Blais called the avalanche an "enormous tragedy" and "the saddest event our team has ever experienced."
"We are doing what we can to support the families who lost so much, and the members of our team who lost treasured friends and colleagues," he said.
Blais said all of the guides were trained by the American Mountain Guides Association or certified in backcountry skiing, and that they all had extensive knowledge about avalanches.
"In addition, guides in the field are in communication with senior guides at our base, to discuss conditions and routing based upon conditions," he said.
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Authorities looking into decisions made
Authorities are investigating "the totality" of the tragedy, Nevada County Sheriff Shannan Moonsaid at a news conferenceon Feb. 18. That includes finding out why the trip wasn't canceled.
"Lots of forecasts on this storm," Moon said. "Those are the decisions that the guide company clearly had made. We're still in conversation with them on the decision factors that they made."
She said getting to the bottom of the major questions surrounding the tragedy is her top priority.
"I think that's the core piece of my mind, is wanting to be able to provide answers to the families that were affected, the guide members that were present and the clients that paid for this trip," she said.
Families of victims: Loved ones 'fully equipped' for avalanches
The families said in their statement Thursday that their loved ones were "fully equipped with avalanche safety equipment."
"We are heartbroken and are doing our best to care for one another and our families in the way we know these women would have wanted," the families said. "We are asking for privacy and space as our families grieve this sudden and profound loss."
Authorities have not released the identities of the other victims of the avalanche.
Some victims were members of elite skiing academy
Some of those killed were members of the eliteSugar Bowl skiing academy, the school said ina statement. "Sugar Bowl Academy is focused on supporting its athletes, students, staff, and families through this tragedy."
Sugar Bowl Academyis an independent, coed boarding and day school for competitive skiers in grades 8-12 located inNorden, California, near Lake Tahoe.
The academy focuses on developing high-caliber athletes, with graduates frequently moving on to U.S. ski teams and NCAA Division I programs. It has produced numerous elite skiers, particularly for the U.S. and international ski teams, with eight alumni named to the 2022 Winter Olympics. Notable alumni includeWorld Cup winner Alice Robinson,U.S. OlympianLuke WintersandFreeride World Tour Champion Isaac Freeland.
"The Sugar Bowl Academy community will continue to be there in the months and years ahead for the families that have lost loved ones," the school said.
"We are an incredibly close and connected community. This tragedy has affected each and every one of us," Executive Director Stephen McMahon said. "The best thing we can do is surround our athletes and families with care and support while providing the necessary space and time for grief and healing."
Contributing: Mike James, USA TODAY
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Families mourn 6 moms killed in California avalanche: 'Devastated'