There are still many unanswered questions after the deadliest avalanche in the U.S. in decades.

But we now know more about several of the people who tragically lost their lives.

A devastating avalanche in the Sierra Nevada near Lake Tahoe has left families shattered after up to nine people were killed during a backcountry skiing expedition Tuesday.

As details continue to emerge, loved ones have identified at least six of the victims as a close-knit group of mothers who shared a passion for the outdoors and a tradition of traveling together.

In a joint statement, their families named the women as Kate Vitt, Carrie Atkin, Danielle Keatley, Kate Morse, and sisters Caroline Sekar and Liz Clabaugh — describing them as inseparable friends bound by adventure and deep love for their families.

”We are devastated beyond words,” the families said in the statement. “Our focus right now is supporting our children through this incredible tragedy and honoring the lives of these extraordinary women.”

The women, many of whom lived in California, Idaho, and the Truckee–Tahoe region, were experienced backcountry skiers equipped with avalanche safety gear. Their loved ones said their bond extended far beyond skiing

”They were all mothers, wives and friends, all of whom connected through the love of the outdoors. They were passionate, skilled skiers who cherished time together in the mountains.”

A trip that turned tragic

Authorities said the group was returning to camp when the avalanche struck near Castle Peak in the Sierra Nevada, part of a guided multiday expedition involving 15 skiers. Nevada County Sheriff Shannan Moon later confirmed that the search operation had shifted from rescue to recovery as hopes of finding additional survivors faded.

”They were on their way back to camp when the avalanche actually hit,” Moon said, noting it took rescuers hours to locate the first survivors.

Eight people have been confirmed dead, with one additional skier still missing and presumed dead. The slide is being described as the deadliest avalanche in California history and the most lethal in the United States since 1981.

Remembering the women

Among those lost was Kate Vitt, a mother of two and former SiriusXM executive who lived in Marin County with her husband and children. Community members there have expressed shock and heartbreak as they rally around affected families.

Caroline Sekar, 45, a San Francisco mother of two, died alongside her sister Liz Clabaugh, 52, a Boise-based graduate nurse residency coordinator. Their brother shared the depth of the loss with The New York Times.

“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.”

Several members of the group were connected to Sugar Bowl Academy, a competitive ski school community now mourning alongside friends and families.

”This tragedy has affected each and every one of us. The depth of support for the families whose lives have been changed forever reminds us of how special this community is,” Executive Director Stephen McMahon said, according to Fox News.

Community grief and ongoing recovery

The avalanche unfolded around 11:30 a.m. local time, prompting an intense search-and-rescue response involving multiple agencies. Harsh weather and unstable snowpack have complicated recovery efforts, and authorities have closed public access to the Castle Peak area through mid-March to protect first responders.

Families of the victims expressed gratitude for the massive rescue effort and the support pouring in from across the region.

”We are profoundly grateful for the extensive rescue efforts by Nevada County Search and Rescue, Tahoe Nordic Search and Rescue and all of the authorities involved, and for the outpouring of support from the Tahoe community and beyond.”

Still, their grief remains overwhelming as they lean on each other and try to carry forward the spirit of the women they lost.

”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.”

Such a heartbreaking loss — our thoughts are with the families during this incredibly difficult time.