A company assisting backcountry skiers impacted by California’s severest avalanche has issued a new statement following the recovery of three guides’ bodies.
Blackbird Mountain Guides expressed their sorrow after the tragic event on Tuesday at Castle Peak, located in the Lake Tahoe vicinity.
In total, nine skiers tragically lost their lives in this avalanche, with six managing to survive. The sheriff confirmed that the bodies were retrieved from the mountain on Saturday.
A spokesperson for Blackbird, established by Zeb Brace, remarked late Saturday: “We are still grieving the tragic loss of life resulting from the February 17 avalanche near Castle Peak.”
“We keep all those affected in our hearts as the names are released by Nevada County.”
“The individuals who perished were beloved family members, friends, partners, and treasured members of the broader mountain community.”
“Among them were our guiding team members—Andrew Alisandratos, Niki Chiu, and Mike Henry—who were experienced professionals and friends, and whose love for the mountains has profoundly influenced our identity.”
“We also share in the grief of our guests who cherished the outdoors and were part of our tight-knit mountain community.”
The statement continued, saying: “Our hearts go out to everyone who is mourning during this exceptionally tough time.”
Authorities, including the police and the state of California, are investigating whether the company or its guides exhibited negligence by placing customers in perilous situations despite warnings of a “major storm.”
Brace, a veteran mountaineer and two-time Everest climber leading Blackbird Mountain Guides since 2020, defined the incident as a “huge tragedy” and “the saddest experience our team has ever faced.”
He has survived an avalanche before in Tajikistan, which he described in a 2021 podcast as a significant change in how he views mountain risks.
According to his company’s website, Brace has considerable experience on peaks like Cho Oyu, Lobuche, Aconcagua, Denali, Mont Blanc, and the Matterhorn, emphasizing that guiding clients toward their personal mountain aspirations is central to his work.
Investigations by state and local authorities are ongoing, focusing on the company’s practices and decisions leading up to the fatal incident.
