Sierra avalanche disaster victims: Mothers, adventurers, sisters - Los Angeles Times
Los Angeles Times
by Grace Toohey, Salvador HernandezFebruary 20, 2026
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The Sierra Nevada region experienced one of its deadliest avalanches in modern history on Tuesday, claiming at least eight lives and leaving one person unaccounted for. The victims included a group of close friends, many of whom were mothers and avid adventurers. Among those lost were Caroline Sekar, 45, from San Francisco, and Liz Clabaugh, 52, of Boise, Idaho, who were described as cherished members of their communities. The avalanche occurred in the Castle Peak area near Frog Lake huts, where a group of 15—four guides and 11 participants—were on a three-day backcountry skiing trip.
The tragedy has deeply affected Northern California communities, with schools and local leaders expressing grief over the loss of loved ones. Several victims were connected to the Sugar Bowl Academy, a private ski school near Tahoe, where parents
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Originally published on Los Angeles Times on 2/20/2026