Six women killed in the deadliest avalanche in the United States in decades were part of a close group of eight friends on a guided backcountry ski trip when a powerful winter storm triggered a massive slide in California’s Sierra Nevada, authorities and families said Thursday, as investigations began into why the tour continued despite avalanche warnings.
The women were part of a close group of eight friends on a three day backcountry skiing trip near Frog Lake. Three professional guides are dead or presumed dead, bringing the total fatalities to nine. Two of the friends survived and were rescued along with four others, including one guide.
