Two Sisters Killed in Lake Tahoe Avalanche

Caroline Sekar and Liz Clabaugh were part of a close-knit group of college friends on a ski trip

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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Two sisters, Caroline Sekar and Liz Clabaugh, were among the victims killed in a devastating avalanche near Lake Tahoe in Northern California on Tuesday. The sisters were part of a tight-knit group of women who became friends at Stanford University and regularly met up for ski trips.

Why it matters

The tragic incident highlights the dangers of backcountry skiing and the devastating impact avalanches can have on close-knit communities. The loss of these two sisters, who were described as "incredible" by their brother, has deeply affected their friend group and local community.

The details

According to reports, the sisters were part of a group of 11 skiers caught in the snowslide. Many of the skiers were members of the same friend group that formed at Stanford University. Caroline Sekar lived in San Francisco, while Liz Clabaugh was from Idaho.

  • The avalanche occurred on Tuesday, February 18, 2026.

The players

Caroline Sekar

A 45-year-old woman who was killed in the Lake Tahoe avalanche. She was part of a tight-knit group of college friends who regularly went on ski trips together.

Liz Clabaugh

A 52-year-old woman who was killed in the Lake Tahoe avalanche. She was part of the same close-knit group of college friends as Caroline Sekar.

McAlister Clabaugh

The brother of Liz Clabaugh, who described the sisters as "two of the best people I've ever known."

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What they’re saying

“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.”

— McAlister Clabaugh, Brother of Liz Clabaugh (The New York Times)

The takeaway

The tragic loss of Caroline Sekar and Liz Clabaugh highlights the inherent risks of backcountry skiing and the devastating impact avalanches can have on close-knit communities. Their deaths have deeply affected their group of college friends, who regularly met up for ski trips, underscoring the importance of safety and preparedness when engaging in outdoor activities.