The Blackbird Blog
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News
Blackbird named the #1 AIARE Provider for 2024!
Blackbird Mountain Guides is the #1 Provider of AIARE Avalanche Education in North America This week AIARE released data from the 2023/2024 season showing Blackbird Mountain Guides was the top provider of AIARE avalanche courses. The data revealed that Blackbird trained more students and ran more courses than any other provider in North...
What 3D Mapping App Can Replace FATMAP?
The Eiger rendered with satellite imagery and a Swiss Topo overlay in CalTopo. Caltopo is one of the mobile apps with 3D mapping features that rivaled FATMAP. FATMAP, a go-to 3D mapping app for backcountry skiers and alpine climbers, is done. Despite a loyal following with a massive set of...
Mt Shuksan Fisher Chimneys Conditions
The Upper Curtis Glacier on August 15th with Hell's Highway shown on the right. Photo: Zeb Blais. Mt Shuksan Fisher Chimneys Climbing Conditions 2024-08-15 | Mt Shuksan Fisher Chimneys Climbing conditions on Mt Shuksan are all-time good right now! IFMGA Mountain Guide Zeb Blais led a summit and skills course on the...
Backcountry Ski & Splitboard
The Best 3D Mapping Apps for Backcountry Skiing
Monte Rosa, the highest peak in Switzerland, rendered with satellite imagery and a Swiss Topo overlay in CalTopo. What's the Best 3D Mapping App for Backcountry Skiing? Backcountry Skiing and Splitboarding require keen navigation skills to find terrain and stay safe. One of the key tools we have to navigate the backcountry...
How to Layer for Backcountry Skiing
Ski touring on a cold day on Mt Shasta. Proper layering is critical in cold, stormy conditions! Photo: Zeb Blais. What is Layering? Layering is a critical skill that helps us stay comfortable and safe in the backcountry. The backcountry is a dynamic environment that can change from ideal to inclement...
Winter Calendar 2025
Guided Backcountry Ski & Splitboard Trips | Winter 2025 Blackbird COO Eric Lee O'Brien shredding Powder in Hokkaido Japan. Photo: Taiyo Nakanishi We've got a ton of great adventures happening with your favorite guides this winter! From a week-long powder Safari in Hokkaido Japan to heli-in/heli out ski touring lodge trips in...
Lodge Profile: Snowfall Lodge, BC
In the midst of the glaciers, winding rivers, and thick forests of the Battle Range, there's an unexpected refuge from the wilderness. A luxurious respite from the elements in the middle of this wild landscape, Snowfall Lodge is the perfect spot for backcountry skiers to stage for a long list of secluded backcountry ski...
British Columbia Backcountry Ski Lodges
British Columbia has something that no other place in the world has: incredible, remote lodges that provide unique access to wild backcountry terrain. Sure, Europe has plenty of refuges that provide access to the mountains, and Colorado has an array of pretty plush huts, and now there are even some pretty incredible...
Backcountry Weather & Planning Resources
This page contains critical information on: Backcountry Skiing Conditions Alpine Climbing Conditions Avalanche Forecasts Avalanche Observations Avalanche Accidents Weather Forecasts Weather Telemetry (Data from Weather Stations) Webcams Bookmark these pages for each zone we cover, and they can act as your “dashboard” for quickly understanding the conditions, hazards and weather...
Avalanche Education
Why Choose Blackbird for your Avalanche Course?
Students observing the snowpack while touring on day 1 of AIARE 1. Photo: Zeb Blais. Why Choose Blackbird for your Avalanche Course? Since its founding, Blackbird Mountain Guides has striven to provide the best avalanche courses in California and Washington. Our strategy has been simple: start with the amazing instructors and rethink...
What's the difference between AIARE 1 and AIARE 1 + Rescue?
Participants dig for a buried avalanche beacon (to simulate a buried partner) during a rescue scenario on a Blackbird Lift-Accessed Avalanche Rescue Course in Tahoe. Opportunities to practice multiple scenarios in realistic terrain make this program a magnitude better than its counterparts. Photo: Zeb Blais What's the difference between AIARE 1 and...
Avalanche Transceivers - Electromagnetic Interference UIAA Recommendations
Electromagnetic interference has long been a known issue with avalanche transceivers. But how much of an issue? And what do we do about it? The UIAA released guidelines earlier this month describing what types of electromagnetic interference affect avalanche transceivers in both transmit and receive modes. Included in their findings are...
Tracking PWLs: Tahoe Snowpack Tests 2023-12-24
We dug in the snowpack to investigate the Persistent Weak Layer and see if the layer has gained some strength after the intense rain/snow storm we received last week.
Avalanche Transceiver Upgrade Trade-In Program
Looking to upgrade to a shiny new Barryvox Avalanche Transceiver? Blackbird clients can upgrade their old transceiver to a new Mammut Barryvox for 40% off retail when they trade in their old, fully functional digital transceiver. See details in the blog!
Video: How to Use Snowpack Tests
Our Video demonstrates an excellent progression of snowpack tests that can help to flesh out the hazards in the backcountry snowpack. It shows how to make snowpack observations and conduct snowpack tests to inform your understanding of the avalanche hazard. Remember, you're not trying to be an avalanche forecaster - always read the...
SKI MOUNTAINEERING
Mount Shasta Seasonal Weather History 2024
This year, the mountain is stuffed and the West Face has weeks and weeks of snowpack coverage left. The bottom line is that if you want to climb or ski Mount Shasta, this is the year to do it!
Mt Shasta West Face with Daron Rahlves
We couldn't have timed conditions better for our West Face summit and ski descent on Mt Shasta with Daron Rahlves. With warm temps at night and high winds forecast, had us on guard about climbing and skiing conditions, but conditions turned out to be incredible!
Baker in a Day: Single Push Ski Mountaineering on the most Glaciated Peak in the North Cascades
Our mission was to summit Mount Baker and ski from the top in a day. Originally, we had been planning to spend few days on the mountain, skiing various routes, but with stormy weather incoming for the next couple days we knew we had to make it work in a day. It was...
The best ski route on Mount Shasta? A Trip Report from the Hotlum Wintun Route
Memorial Day weekend continued the trend of wacky weather with frigid temperatures around 10 degrees at 12,000’. Even with the strong California sun doing its magic on the snow, it was hard to imagine the surface softening significantly. It seemed that the weekend might be a bust, but we shrugged off...
Ski Mountaineering Isn't That Hard
Zeb Blais, IFMGA Mountain Guide and Director of Blackbird Mountain Guides, taking a crew of ski mountaineers for a climb during a recent Ski Mountaineering Skills course on Donner Summit in Truckee. Photo: Ali Agee. Ski Mountaineering is intimidating. It doesn't even sound like a sport. It sounds like a Bachelor...
ALPINE CLIMBING
Mont Blanc: The Trois Monts Traverse
Mont Blanc: The Trois Monts Traverse offers a detailed overview of climbing 4,810m Mont Blanc via the classic Trois Monts route and down the Normal Route. As the highest peak in Western Europe, Mont Blanc offers a major challenge in altitude, but the challenges don't stop there - read on...
A Brief History of Alpinism
A climber on the Arête du Diable in the Rhône Alps of Chamonix. Photo: Zeb Blais ~ A Brief History of Alpinism Rhône Alps | Chamonix, France Where did alpinism originate? Spoiler alert: it's the Alps. The French Alps to be specific, and the Chamonix Mont Blanc area to be precise. Beginning in the mid...
Understanding Mixed Climbing: A Complete Guide to Mixed Climbing Grades
Pushing grades of mixed climbing in the alpine in New Zealand. Photo: NZ Alpine Team David Vuono/Climbing Magazine ~. What is Mixed Climbing? Mixed climbing is climbing that involves both rock and ice. Mixed climbs are climbed using a variety of tactics and protection. Typically, crampons and ice tools are used...
Understanding Ice Climbing: A Complete Guide to Ice Climbing Grades
A climber enjoying a (mostly) frozen waterfall in Cody, Wyoming. Photo: Zeb Blais ~ Ice is an ephemeral medium, so ice climbing grades can vary widely from the grades given for the climb and the actual experience on the climb. Generally, ice climbs are graded based on the typical difficulty of...
Climbing the Normal Route on Gran Paradiso
Climbing Italy's Highest Peak, Gran Paradiso via the Normal Route from Chabot or Vittorio Emanuele. At 4,061m, Gran Paradiso is the highest peak in Italy & is one of the most accessible 4,000m peaks in the Alps. We describe the climbing Gran Paradiso & the descent. Come climb Gran Paradiso...
The Ultimate Guide to Climbing Grades
Understanding climbing grades is essential for safe & successful rock, ice & alpine climbs. Understanding the different grading systems & the factors that affect grades will help you make informed decisions & tackle routes that match your skill level & ambitions. Our Ultimate Guide to Climbing Grades provides it all!
ROCK CLIMBING
Understanding Rock Climbing: A Complete Guide to USA Rock Climbing Grades
A climber enjoying the beautiful granite of Donner Summit in Lake Tahoe California. Photo: Zeb Blais Understanding the Yosemite Decimal System: A Guide to Rock Climbing Grades in North America As a beginner rock climber or foreign climber trying to climb in North America, you'll want to become familiar with the...
New Rock Climbing Programs for 2024!
A rock climbing guide belaying a climber on the final pitch of Corrugation Corner at Lover's Leap in Lake Tahoe. Photo: Chris Cloyd New Rock Climbing Programs Blackbird Mountain Guides has new permits and guided rock climbing in Lover's Leap and Calaveras Dome in California and Mt Erie in Washington! This season,...
Blackbird Acquires NASTC Rock Climbing School & Rock Guide Service
This week, Blackbird Mountain Guides announced that it acquired the long-standing and highly regarded NASTC Rock Climbing School and Rock Guide Service in Lake Tahoe.
Fixed Anchor Policy Changes on National Parks & Forest Service - Take Action!
If you rock climb or alpine climb on National Park and National Forest Lands, this affects YOU! Proposed change of the fixed anchor policies in National Parks and on Forest Service Lands will make it hard to maintain safe anchors and will have a direct effect on your favorite climbing areas. ...
Best Spots for Beginner Rock Climbing in Tahoe
Whether you're new to outdoor rock climbing, sport climbing, trad climbing, or multi pitch climbing, check out our list of the best crags in the Tahoe area for beginner rock climbers! We've got the lowdown on all the best spots to learn rock climbing or build your rock-climbing skills in the Truckee...