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CROSS-SPECTRUM
Guide firm Blackbird Mountain Faces $151,300 Fine After Fatal Tahoe Avalanche
Blackbird Mountain Guides has been ordered to pay $151,300 in penalties by California OSHA following an avalanche that killed six clients and three guides near Castle Peak.
The California Division of Occupational Safety and Health levied a $151,300 fine against Blackbird Mountain Guides after a backcountry slide on Feb. 17 buried nine people under five to six feet of snow. Six paying clients and three company guides lost their lives. Earlier this month, the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office concluded its criminal-negligence probe and forwarded its report to the county prosecutor for further review.
Why it matters
The penalties highlight safety concerns for commercial backcountry guides and may affect industry regulations.
In this story
avalanchepenaltiesbackcountry guidesafety violationsNevada CountyCalifornia OSHAfatal accidentmountain guide company
