California Fines Blackbird Mountain Guides $151,300 After 9 Die in Avalanche
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Aug 21
California Fines Blackbird Mountain Guides $151,300 After 9 Die in Avalanche
3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Aug 21
Summary
$151,300 in proposed fines were issued by Cal/OSHA to Blackbird Mountain Guides, which the agency said committed seven serious and willful safety violations tied to February's fatal avalanche near Truckee.
The citations say the company failed to train guides in avalanche risk assessment, properly identify hazards, and protect employees from the imminent danger of traveling through avalanche terrain.
On the trip, 15 skiers left a mountain hut at Frog Lake during a historic storm despite state forecasters warning of high danger and recommending no travel in, near, or below avalanche terrain.
The slide buried 13 skiers, some as deep as 10 feet; six clients and three guides died, making it one of California's deadliest avalanches. Cal/OSHA's findings apply only to the guides because the agency oversees workplace safety.