A group of backcountry skiers, predominantly mothers and friends, embarked on a trip in the California mountains, which turned fatal when they were caught in a devastating avalanche. Eight skiers have been confirmed dead, with one still missing. The victims included several local mothers identified by their families, leading to an outpouring of grief and anger over the incident. Investigations are underway, looking into potential criminal negligence while rescue operations shifted to body recovery amid challenging conditions. Authorities aim to mitigate risks for recovery crews as they work in the aftermath of what has been described as the deadliest avalanche in California history.