Crevasse Rescue Course in Tahoe
This one-day Crevasse Rescue Course in Tahoe is designed for climbers, skiers, and mountaineers aiming to strengthen their glacier travel competence. Under the guidance of AMGA-trained instructors, you’ll work hands-on with rope-team travel drills, anchor construction, hauling systems, and both self- and team-based rescue methods. The course takes place in Tahoe’s glaciated or snowfield terrain, offering real-world practice in building efficient rescue systems, managing gear, and performing confident extractions. Emphasizing safety, communication, and technical fluency, this training is a crucial step toward larger alpine objectives like Mt. Shasta, Mt. Baker, or technical objectives in the Sierra Nevada. Upon course completion, you’ll have the knowledge, skill, and mindset to respond effectively to crevasse incidents—and further your alpine ambitions with secure glacier travel techniques.
We'll cover the following topics and skills:
- Gear for Crevasse Rescue
- Essential knots and hitches
- Rigging your rope and team for glacier travel
- Mechanical advantage systems including: Simple Systems, Compound Systems, Complex Systems
- Pragmatic solutions including Brute Haul and Dropped C systems
- Rope Ascension
This program requires at least 3 participants to run.
Here's the schedule for your course:
- 8:00 am - Meet your guide at the trailhead
- 8:30 am - We'll spend the day demonstrating and coaching while you practice crevasse rescue skills
- 12:00pm - Lunch on the go
- 3:00pm - Course ends
Here are the skills and fitness you'll need for your course:
- Basic Rope Skills Crevasse rescue involves multiple layers of rope skills and having a basic understanding of mountaineering knots and hitches prior to the course is required. Join our Rope Skills for Skiers & Riders course to build these skills!
- Basic Fitness - Able to spend an active day outside, moving uphill at 1,000’ per hour for durations of roughly 1 hour between breaks. Participants should be able to hike 3-5 miles and climb 1,000-1,500 vertical feet throughout the course of the day.
Here's what's included with your course:
- Experienced AMGA Trained Guide
- Tahoe National Forest Permit
- Ropes & Group Gear for Training
- Group Safety Gear - Snow Science, First Aid Kits
- Wag Bags - for human waste disposal in with compliance 'Leave No Trace' principles
- Avalanche & Mountaineering Gear - beacon, shovel, probe, ice axe, crampons, climbing harness
- Transportation
- Meals
- Guide Gratuities
- Avalanche & Mountaineering Gear - Come prepared with your own gear or rent from Blackbird
Know Before you go
PRIVATE PROGRAMS
- Custom Scheduling: Choose your dates and plan around your availability.
- Tailored Experiences: Itineraries and objectives are adjusted to suit your goals, experience, and fitness.
- Cost-Effective for Most Large Groups: Private programs are typically more cost-effective for groups of 3 or more.
- Flexibility Comes at a Price: For groups of 1-2, private programs are generally more expensive.
- AIARE Courses: AIARE course pricing is based on a group of 6. Running these as a private program with fewer than 6 participants will increase the per-person cost.
SCHEDULED PROGRAMS
- Fixed Dates & Costs: Scheduled programs have set dates, itineraries, objectives, and pricing.
- Great for Solo or Small Groups: Ideal for individuals or small groups looking to share costs with others.
- Affordable for 1-2 People: Scheduled programs are typically less expensive for groups of 1-2.
- Less Flexibility: Dates fill quickly, and group programs require adapting to the skill level and pace of all participants
- Group Atmosphere: Meet others with similar interests and make some new backcountry buddies!
Note: Any scheduled program can also be run as a private program with customized dates and rates.
Both options offer exceptional guiding and experiences. Choose what works best for you!
Here's the schedule for your course:
- 8:00 am - Meet your guide at the trailhead
- 8:30 am - We'll spend the day demonstrating and coaching while you practice crevasse rescue skills
- 12:00pm - Lunch on the go
- 3:00pm - Course ends
This one-day Crevasse Rescue Course in Tahoe is designed for climbers, skiers, and mountaineers aiming to strengthen their glacier travel competence. Under the guidance of AMGA-trained instructors, you’ll work hands-on with rope-team travel drills, anchor construction, hauling systems, and both self- and team-based rescue methods. The course takes place in Tahoe’s glaciated or snowfield terrain, offering real-world practice in building efficient rescue systems, managing gear, and performing confident extractions. Emphasizing safety, communication, and technical fluency, this training is a crucial step toward larger alpine objectives like Mt. Shasta, Mt. Baker, or technical objectives in the Sierra Nevada. Upon course completion, you’ll have the knowledge, skill, and mindset to respond effectively to crevasse incidents—and further your alpine ambitions with secure glacier travel techniques.
We'll cover the following topics and skills:
- Gear for Crevasse Rescue
- Essential knots and hitches
- Rigging your rope and team for glacier travel
- Mechanical advantage systems including: Simple Systems, Compound Systems, Complex Systems
- Pragmatic solutions including Brute Haul and Dropped C systems
- Rope Ascension
This program requires at least 3 participants to run.
Here's the schedule for your course:
- 8:00 am - Meet your guide at the trailhead
- 8:30 am - We'll spend the day demonstrating and coaching while you practice crevasse rescue skills
- 12:00pm - Lunch on the go
- 3:00pm - Course ends
Here are the skills and fitness you'll need for your course:
- Basic Rope Skills Crevasse rescue involves multiple layers of rope skills and having a basic understanding of mountaineering knots and hitches prior to the course is required. Join our Rope Skills for Skiers & Riders course to build these skills!
- Basic Fitness - Able to spend an active day outside, moving uphill at 1,000’ per hour for durations of roughly 1 hour between breaks. Participants should be able to hike 3-5 miles and climb 1,000-1,500 vertical feet throughout the course of the day.
Here's what's included with your course:
- Experienced AMGA Trained Guide
- Tahoe National Forest Permit
- Ropes & Group Gear for Training
- Group Safety Gear - Snow Science, First Aid Kits
- Wag Bags - for human waste disposal in with compliance 'Leave No Trace' principles
- Avalanche & Mountaineering Gear - beacon, shovel, probe, ice axe, crampons, climbing harness
- Transportation
- Meals
- Guide Gratuities
- Avalanche & Mountaineering Gear - Come prepared with your own gear or rent from Blackbird
Epic Reviews From Adventurers
- Rated 5 out of 5 starsMount Shasta Summit!
Had a fantastic experience summiting Mount Shasta with my guide, Sean! He was easy to get along with, very knowledgable, and had a calm, encouraging demeanor. The climb itself was a real challenge, but worth it. The whole experience was positive and getting to the top felt like a genuine accomplishment that will give me the confidence to start taking on more overnight camping and hiking alone.
Laura L.Verified Buyer - Rated 5 out of 5 starsGreat value
I did the crevasse rescue course and it went great, I learned a lot and feel much more comfortable. I especially appreciated how it was a small group - 3 students and 1 guide. Our guide Jan was great - he was very knowledgeable but also kept things laid back and wanted us to enjoy the day. Highly recommend!
Molly D.Verified Buyer - Rated 5 out of 5 starsSet me up with a perfect custom skills program - highly recommend!
I'd been trying to setup a way to learn some snow skills basics for awhile, and most companies were just not very responsive for what I wanted, and I actually couldn't make it happen. Then I emailed Blackbird - and not only was it great to finally get some conversation going by email/phone, they were able to set me up with the type of program I was looking for. I was setup with Jon as my guide and felt like I was in very capable hands the entire time - covering all the topics relevant for my goals. While I'm comfortable enough camping and hiking in the wilderness, I had zero experience with crampons, ice axes, safety aspects etc, along with navigating more challenging and steep terrain. We started off covering some initial information that went well enough to tackle a couple objectives - which were far more challenging than I'd originally thought possible for myself. But he really nailed it, and picked a plan which let me push what I could do while still feeling comfortable. Plus I appreciated his patience, encouragement and positivity as I sorted out my practice of these new skills. Overall highly recommended!
Tobin S. - Rated 5 out of 5 starsIncredibly knowledgeable guides!
Incredibly knowledgeable guides. It was my first time on a serious mountaineering trip, and our guide Jason was a great resource for our attempt at the Shasta summit. Despite insanely cold and snowy weather for May we had a great time!
Thomas M.Verified Buyer
the blackbird difference
Innovative courses
Professional Guides
Positive Progression
Community Focused
ongoing support
We’re here to help. Our FAQs or Gear Lists might have the information you’re seeking. But If you’re not finding the information you need, we’d be happy to help!