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Draft:Blackbird Mountain Guides

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Blackbird Mountain Guides is a Truckee-based mountaineering and avalanche education company. The company specializes in rock climbing, alpine climbing, ski & splitboard courses and trips with operations in California, Washington, and internationally.

History

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Blackbird Mountain Guides was founded in 2020 by Zeb Blais, IFMGA and AMGA Guide[1], in Truckee, CA. The company is a provider of backcountry and mountaineering education, particularly known for its avalanche safety courses through the American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education (AIARE)[2]. Blackbird was born out of Blais's commitment to helping climbers and skiers achieve ambitious goals safely. Blais’s extensive background includes guiding on some of the world’s most challenging peaks, such as multiple summits of Mt. Everest[3] and ski descents on the Matterhorn and Denali.[4]

With a focus on mountain safety and skill progression, Blackbird Mountain Guides has expanded its offerings to include courses in alpine climbing, rock climbing[5], ski mountaineering. In 2024, Blackbird acquired NASTC's Rock Climbing school and integrated it into Blackbird Mountain Guides.[6] The company also provides wilderness first aid and other essential skills. Blackbird to offer trips in iconic regions, including the Eastern Sierra, the North Cascades, and Mt. Shasta, as well as international locations like the French Alps and Peru’s Cordillera Blanca.

Based in Truckee, California, Blackbird partners with local retailers such as Tahoe Sports Hub[7] and brands including Rab, Julbo[8], and Slingfin.[9]

Zeb Blais (Founder)

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Zeb Blais is an IFMGA-certified mountain guide and founder of Blackbird Mountain Guides.[10] Known for his extensive international guiding experience, Zeb has led climbs and ski descents across continents, from Antarctica to the peaks of the Himalayas[11]. His career highlights include summiting Mt. Everest twice[3], completing a full ski descent of Cho Oyu[4], and guiding clients on notable peaks like the Matterhorn[12], Mont Blanc[13], and Denali[4]. His experience covers a wide range of mountain environments, including high-altitude alpine climbs, technical rock routes, and extreme ski descents​. Prior to founding Blackbird Zeb was Lead Guide for Alpenglow Expeditions and for RMI[14][15].

Zeb’s holds certifications as an AIARE Level 3, Avalanche instructor and course leader, and Wilderness First Responder. In his role as an AIARE course leader he has raised awareness of how electronics can interfere with avalanche beacon/transceivers.[16] Zeb is also an advisor to AIARE's Provider Advisory Group.[17] He has written and spoken extensively about his AMGA training[18], his experience in expanding his skillset as a guide[19], and backcountry tips and etiquette.[20][21] Zeb's experience climbing in the Alps has also made him a sought after source to identify some of the best mountains in Europe.[22]

High-Altitude and International Expeditions[4]

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  • Mt. Everest (8,848 m), Tibet: Summited twice via the Northeast Ridge (2016, 2017)[23].
  • Cho Oyu (8,201 m), Tibet: Summited with a full ski descent via the West Face (2016)​​.[4][24]
  • Vinson Massif (4,892 m), Antarctica: One summit, guiding clients.[25]
  • Lobuche East (6,171 m), Nepal: Summited with a ski descent (2015).[4]

European Alps

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  • Mont Blanc (4,808 m), France: Eight ascents via multiple routes, including ski descents.[13]
  • Matterhorn (4,478 m), Switzerland: Two summits via the Hornli Ridge.[12]

North and South American Peaks

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United States Highlights

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  • Mt. Rainier (4,392 m), Washington: Over 100 ascents and ski descents across routes like Fuhrer Finger, Liberty Ridge, and the Disappointment Cleaver.[4]
  • Mt. Shasta (4,322 m), California: Multiple summits and ski descents through major routes.[26]
  • Grand Teton (4,199 m), Wyoming: Five summits, including a ski descent via the Ford-Stettner route.[4]
  • Mt. Whitney (4,421 m), California: Five ascents with ski descents via the East Face and Mountaineers Route​​.[4]

Additional Notable Ascents

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  • Mount Fuji (3,776 m), Japan: Winter ascent with a ski descent.[4]

Avalanche Education and AIARE Scholarships

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In 2024, Blackbird was the #1 provider of AIARE courses in the US, having run more courses and trained more students than any other guide service.[2]

To increase diversity and access to the backcountry, Blackbird offers AIARE scholarships for women, BIPOC and members of the LGBTQ+ community.[27]

References

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  1. ^ "Guides". Blackbird Mountain Guides, LLC. Retrieved 2024-11-08.
  2. ^ a b "Blackbird named the #1 AIARE Provider for 2024!". Blackbird Mountain Guides, LLC. 2024-10-07. Retrieved 2024-11-08.
  3. ^ a b "List of Mount Everest summiters by frequency", Wikipedia, 2024-11-05, retrieved 2024-11-08
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Kechijian, Doug (March 31, 2021). "Zeb Blais: Managing Risk In The Mountains". Resilient Performance Systems Podcast Ep.84. Retrieved 11/8/24. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |access-date= (help)
  5. ^ "What it's Like to go Rock Climbing with a Guide in Truckee". www.visittruckeetahoe.com. Retrieved 2024-11-08.
  6. ^ "LEARN MULTIPITCH WITH BLACKBIRD MOUNTAIN GUIDES | North American Ski Training and Climbing School Tahoe, CA". 2022-02-02. Retrieved 2024-11-08.
  7. ^ "Blackbird Mountain Guides". Tahoe Sports Hub. 2023-02-01. Retrieved 2024-11-08.
  8. ^ "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 2024-11-08.
  9. ^ "Guide Partners". SlingFin. Retrieved 2024-11-08.
  10. ^ "Zeb Blais - Business Owner at Blackbird Mountain Guides". THE ORG. Retrieved 2024-11-08.
  11. ^ "Everest 2017: Sherpa Unrest while Climbers Rush to Acclimatize | The Blog on alanarnette.com". www.alanarnette.com. 2017-05-03. Retrieved 2024-11-08.
  12. ^ a b "Solo Summit of the Matterhorn Hornli Ridge | Blackbird Mountain Guides". Blackbird Mountain Guides, LLC. 2024-10-07. Retrieved 2024-11-08.
  13. ^ a b "Mont Blanc: The Trois Monts Traverse". Blackbird Mountain Guides, LLC. 2024-10-07. Retrieved 2024-11-08.
  14. ^ Blais, Zeb (9/7/2018). "Blog Entries by Zeb Blais - RMI Blog". RMI Guides. Retrieved 11/8/24. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |access-date= and |date= (help)
  15. ^ a b Blais, Zeb (11/16/2014). "Mexico Volcanoes: RMI Guide Zeb Blais Recaps The Team's Orizaba Summit Day". RMI Expeditions. Retrieved 11/8/2024. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |access-date= and |date= (help)
  16. ^ Avalanche: The Sound Nobody Wants To Hear | Mountain Voices. 2024-02-29. Retrieved 2024-11-08 – via shows.acast.com.
  17. ^ "AIARE's Advisors". AIARE. Retrieved 2024-11-08.
  18. ^ Blais, Zeb (12/1/2011). "RMI Guide Zeb Blais Recaps the AMGA Rock Instructor Course". RMI Expeditions Blog. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  19. ^ "Expanding Skills on the ARGC - Zeb Blais". AMGA. 2019-08-14. Retrieved 2024-11-08.
  20. ^ Alpenglow Expeditions (2020-12-11). Backcountry Tips and Etiquette: Ride!. Retrieved 2024-11-08 – via YouTube.
  21. ^ "BSAW Day 3". Take Care. Retrieved 2024-11-08.
  22. ^ "15 Charming Mountain Towns In Europe". Travel and Leisure Asia | Global. 2024-10-02. Retrieved 2024-11-08.
  23. ^ Kristl, Sean (2016-06-04). "Everest Reflections". Alpenglow Expeditions. Retrieved 2024-11-08.
  24. ^ Kristl, Sean (2016-09-24). "Cho Oyu Rapid Ascent Update". Alpenglow Expeditions. Retrieved 2024-11-08.
  25. ^ "Blackbird Mountain Guides". Tahoe Sports Hub. 2023-02-01. Retrieved 2024-11-08.
  26. ^ Malott, Clay (2022-06-03). "Trip Report: Mt. Shasta Summit and Ski With Blackbird Mountain Guides". SnowBrains. Retrieved 2024-11-08.
  27. ^ AvyBrains (2021-11-02). "Blackbird Mountain Guides in Truckee, CA, Offering BIPOC Scholarship". SnowBrains. Retrieved 2024-11-08.
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