Grandfather-to-Be Among Six Rescued in Tahoe Avalanche Incident

A man soon to become a grandfather has been identified as one of the fortunate survivors of the tragic avalanche near Lake Tahoe, California, which claimed the lives of nine individuals last week.

Jim Hamilton emerged as one of the six individuals who were rescued nearly six hours after the avalanche engulfed a group of 15 backcountry skiers at Castle Peak. This group included six “super moms” and four guides.

“I thought I had lost you forever,” his wife, Beth Hamilton, expressed in a heartfelt Facebook post on Friday. “The uncertainty of your survival was a pain beyond description.”

The Hamilton family is calling his survival a “miracle,” emphasizing that his life was “spared.”

According to the Facebook post, the Hamilton daughters are expecting to welcome new grandchildren this year.

“We are incredibly fortunate to keep sharing this wonderful life with you, J-Pa, and to have our family remain whole,” Beth wrote. “I can’t imagine it any other way. My love, my GOAT — welcome home.”

On Thursday, the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office released the identities of all the victims.

The family of the six women killed also broke silence, naming the group of friends who perished in the avalanche.

Carrie Atkin, Kate Morse, Danielle Keatley, Caroline Sekar, Kate Vitt and Liz Claubaugh all died Tuesday in the tragic event, and their loved ones united to release a statement Thursday.

The guiding company that led the tour, Blackbird Mountain Guides, also released a statement identifying the “devastating loss” of guides Andrew Alissandratos, Niki Choo and Mike Henry.

A vigil was held in the historic downtown of Truckee to mourn those who died.

In her Facebook post, Beth shared that her husband Jim described them as “wonderful people who lived life to its fullest.”

“There are no words big enough for the sorrow I feel for the families who are grieving an unimaginable loss,” Beth wrote of the nine tragic deaths.

Download The California Post App, follow us on social, and subscribe to our newsletters