California's Deadliest Avalanche on Record
Hundreds of residents gathered in Truckee's historic downtown on the evening of February 22nd, lighting candles and laying flowers to commemorate the nine victims who perished in the Castle Peak avalanche. This incident marks the most severe avalanche tragedy recorded in California since official statistics began.
Six mothers – Carrie Atkin, Kate Morse, Danielle Keatley, Caroline Sekar, Kate Vitt, and Liz Claubaugh – died along with three guides from Blackbird Mountain Guides: Michael Henry, Andrew Alissandratos, and Nicole Choo. The group was participating in a guided ski trip when a massive snow mass collapsed on February 18th.
Nine Wooden Hearts with Victims' Names Placed Beneath Eagle Statue
During the prayer vigil, nine wooden hearts, each engraved with a victim's name, were placed beneath an eagle statue near the memorial site. Attendees wrote messages of condolence on the wooden plaques, embracing and weeping in the freezing mountain air.
Bolyn Hubby, a close friend of Kate Morse, tearfully shared memories of her former colleague at Vir Biotechnology. Many victims' families were present, quietly lighting candles amidst the community's embrace.
Therapy Dog Team from Illinois Arrives in Truckee
The charitable organization Lutheran Church Charities from Illinois brought a team of therapy dogs to Truckee. Volunteer James Crasner stated that these "hearts of compassion" would be given to the families of the deceased after the ceremony.
Local authorities continue to investigate the cause of the avalanche and review safety procedures in the Castle Peak area. Local schools and churches are organizing additional prayer services throughout the week to support the victims' families through this profound shock.
