Investigation into Avalanche Incident at Lake Tahoe

The founder of the guiding company under scrutiny due to the tragic avalanche at Lake Tahoe is a seasoned skier and mountaineer who has reached the summit of Mount Everest twice.

Zeb Brace established Blackbird Mountain Guides in Truckee, California, in 2020, and has been guiding in the mountains for over 20 years.

His company led a tour group caught in a devastating avalanche on Castle Peak this past Tuesday, resulting in the deaths of eight individuals, including one presumed dead. Among those lost were six mothers, referred to as “supermoms,” along with three guides.

Authorities are looking into whether Blackbird acted negligently, as the group embarked on their expedition despite hazardous weather warnings, including a major storm alert shared on social media just one day prior. In that clip, guides were seen navigating a layer of snowfall known to be unstable.

Brace has faced perilous situations before. He recounted an experience in Tajikistan where his impatience led him into an avalanche while crossing a glacier with his team, an area notorious for its unstable snow.

In a podcast from 2021, he reflected on a rescue that was necessitated after a thrill-seeker became buried in snow. “It was one of the greatest learning experiences of my career,” Brace remarked.

According to his biography on the Blackbird website, Brace has scaled some of the most formidable peaks globally, including Everest, Cho Oyu, and Lobuche, as well as prominent mountains like Aconcagua in Argentina, Denali in Alaska, Mont Blanc, and the Matterhorn in the Alps. He’s also skied across six continents.

His LinkedIn profile indicates he holds certification as an “avalanche bomber,” allowing him to detonate explosives to mitigate the risk of avalanches. Additionally, he is qualified in avalanche safety and teaches related courses.

Brace founded Blackbird out of a desire to assist clients in achieving their mountain aspirations. His biography notes that he enjoys facilitating progress and helping them meet their goals.

In a statement Wednesday, Brace described the Castle Peak avalanche as a “huge tragedy” and “the saddest event our team has ever experienced,” expressing sorrow over the loss of three “experienced” guides. Names of the guides haven’t been released.

The ski group reportedly opted for a perilous 60-degree slope, recognized for its high avalanche risk, as their escape route. There was an alternative that was longer and flatter, rated with a considerably lower avalanche risk.

The family of one victim, a mother who died in the avalanche, expressed their trust in the professional guides during the excursion.