Climbing and Outdoor News from Here and Abroad - 6/5/2025

Northwest:

--There were three rescues back-to-back on Mt. Baker last week. Read about them here.

--A climber was rescued after breaking his ankle on Leavenworth's Outer Space (5.9, III) on Friday. Read more here.

Sierra:

--Unoffical Networks is reporting that, "Yesterday, Mammoth announced its closing date for the 2024-25 season. Mammoth will remain open daily until June 15th, with the lifts operating hours being 7:30 am-1 pm." To read more, click here.

El Capitan in Yosemite Valley

--Gripped is reporting that, "bear spray is banned in California’s national parks, unlike many U.S. parks where it’s recommended for safety. This decision has sparked debate among hikers and conservationists, particularly as black bear populations flourish in places like Yosemite, Sequoia, and Kings Canyon National Parks. While the absence of grizzly bears may justify the ban, it leaves visitors uncertain about protecting themselves during black bear encounters." To read more, click here.

Colorado and Utah:

--Powder is reporting that, "Late last week, a team of rescuers extracted an injured skier from the Colorado backcountry who had fallen 200 feet while skiing on Torreys Peak, according to a social media post published by Alpine Rescue Team, a unit that responds to outdoor emergencies throughout the state. The skier fell from near the top of the Emperor Couloir on the north side of the 14,267-foot peak, injuring their lower leg and coming to rest above a cliff band, Alpine Rescue Team wrote." To read more, click here.

--Surf Eat Shop x Outdoors is reporting that, "Vail Resorts CEO Kirsten Lynch is stepping down and former CEO and Executive Chairperson Rob Katz will succeed her. 'As Vail Resorts continues to execute its strategic priorities and transformational initiatives, the board believes now is the right time for this leadership transition,' said Bruce Sewell, lead independent director of the board, in a statement." To read more, click here.

--And in more Vail news, SnowBrains is reporting that, "Former Vail Resorts Chief Executive Officer Kirsten Lynch will receive over $2.2 million in severance and other benefits as part of her departure agreement with the company, according to recently filed documents with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission." To read more, click here.

Alaska:

--A number of AAI Teams are currently on Denali. Check out how they're doing, here!

Notes from All Over:

--New Hampshire Fish and Game is reporting that, "at 2:35 p.m. on June 1, 2025, the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department was notified of an injured rock climber at the Rumney Rocks Climbing Area on the White Mountain National Forest in Rumney. The climber, Alanna Tempest, 30, of New York, NY, had suffered a lower-leg injury that prevented her from being able to hike down the access trails safely to reach the parking areas. First responders from the Rumney Fire Department, Plymouth Fire Rescue, Wentworth Fire Department, Campton-Thornton Fire Rescue and Conservation Officers with the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department arrived in Rumney to assist in moving Tempest safely to the parking area." To read more, click here.

--Three people fell off waterfalls last week.

--The Himalyan Times is reporting that, "a Ukrainian-American climber, who reportedly made the fastest ascent of Mt Everest after flying from New York to Nepal, has been detained for illegally carrying a large sum of undeclared foreign currency. Andrew Ushakov, a client of Elite Exped, owned by controversial climber Nirmal 'Nims' Purja was arrested by the Department of Revenue Investigation (DRI) after being found with a huge amount of undeclared US dollars." To read more, click here.

Upcoming Programs:

Denali - West Buttress
Ecuador Skills Expedition
Kilimanjaro
Rock Climbing in Red Rock Canyon
Alpine Mountaineering and Technical Leadership
Alpinism I: Introduction to Mountaineering
Mt. Baker Skills and Climb
Rescue Programs
Discounts and Special Offers
Mountain Center Events

Climbing and Outdoor News from Here and Abroad - 5/29/2025

Northwest:

--Gripped is reporting that, "a 22-year-old Canadian woman died on Saturday after a highlining accident at Chek Canyon north of Squamish. The International Slackline Association (ISA) said the fatal fall happened after she “forgot to re-tie” her safety leash, resulting in an 80-metre fall." To read more, click here.

The common approach to Forbidden Peak is from Boston Basin.

--The Boston Basin area of the North Cascades National Park is temporarily closed due to bear activity. There is a sow with cubs in the area. Read more.

--KOMO News is reporting that, "The Washington State Department of Natural Resources is actively responding to the Second Creek Fire, located nearly eight miles north of Leavenworth." Read more, here.

--AAI's James Pierson was interviewed on KUOW/NPR about the recent tragedy in Washington Pass. You can hear his interview here.

Sierra:

--Gripped has rounded up all the high end climbing achievements from Yosemite in the last month. Check out their article, here.

--Climbing is reporting that, "on the morning of May 20, seven trans climbers and allies in Yosemite unfolded a 66’-by-35’ trans pride flag about one third of the way up El Capitan. For about two hours, the climbers opened the pink and blue flag for public display above Heart Ledges, about 1,000 feet above the ground. The flag billowed 15 to 20 feet away from the wall and did not block access to any routes." To read more, click here.

Colorado and Utah:

--The Colorado Springs Fire Department rescued a climber in the Garden of the Gods this week. To read about it, click here.

Alaska:

Denali 

--AAI has several teams in the Alaska Range right now. Read about them, here.

Notes from All Over:

--Rocky Mountain Outlook is reporting that, "A 34-year-old Lake Louise resident died in a skiing accident near Moraine Lake in the backcountry of Banff National Park on Tuesday morning (May 27). RCMP said Parks Canada received a call at about 7 a.m. of a female skier falling a 'considerable distance.'" To read more, click here.

--15 WMTV is reporting that, "A climber was airlifted to UW Hospital from Devils Lake State Park on Sunday after falling about 20-30 feet, the Baraboo Area Fire and EMS District reported on Monday. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resouces and other climbers helped Baraboo officials reach the individual, who was found in a remote area that was only accessible by going through the park’s steep and rocky trails." To read more, click here.

--The New York Times and others are reporting on an unprecedented ascent of Mt. Everest: "Climbing Mount Everest typically takes weeks, with most of that time spent at the foot of the mountain adjusting to the thin air. But four British men last week shrank that timeline dramatically, traveling from London to the summit and back in less than a week, according to the organizer of their expedition. They skipped the adjustment period, in part, by inhaling a secret weapon: xenon gas." To read more, click here.

Upcoming Programs:

--Outdoor Sportswire is reporting that, "following an outcry of public opposition to the idea of public-land selloffs, a massive spending bill that passed the house this morning saw proposals to sell more than 500,000 acres of public land removed from the legislation. Amidst meetings over the last few days with lawmakers from both sides of the aisle, there was a flurry of outreach to legislators from the outdoor community — including more than 100,000 letters to lawmakers from Outdoor Alliance — public sentiment that was crucial to the removal of those proposals." To read more, click here.

Denali - West Buttress
Ecuador Skills Expedition
Kilimanjaro
Rock Climbing in Red Rock Canyon
Alpine Mountaineering and Technical Leadership
Alpinism I: Introduction to Mountaineering
Mt. Baker Skills and Climb
Rescue Programs
Discounts and Special Offers
Mountain Center Events

Climbing and Outdoor News from Here and Abroad - 5/15/2025

Northwest:

--Climbing and many others are reporting on an accident that took the lives of three people in Washington Pass. "On Saturday, May 10, three climbers were killed in a rappelling accident in Washington Pass’s Liberty Bell Group. A fourth member of the team narrowly survived the incident and is currently hospitalized." It appears that this was the result of an anchor failure involving in a piton during a rappel. Read more.

The Liberty Bell Massif: North Early Winter Spire 

is the second faint peak from the left.

--A go-fund-me has been set up for the loss of one of these climbers.

--ABC News is reporting that, "Trump administration funding cuts and a loss of federal workers who help support wildland firefighting continues to make planning for the upcoming wildfire season a challenge, according to forest and fire officials in Washington state and Oregon. The biggest issue they’re facing is a lack of communication from the federal government as the West faces “a pretty significant wildland fire season," Washington State Forester George Geissler said Thursday during a press conference hosted by Democratic Sens. Patty Murray of Washington and Jeff Merkley of Oregon." To read more, click here.

--My Bellingham Now is reporting that, "Mt. Baker Ski Area President and CEO Gwyn Howat announced in a video update that she’s stepping back after finishing up her 34th year at the mountain. 'As I knock on 60, the work-life balance thing starts to get pretty real,' Howat said in the video. 'So I’m going to be shifting my role here at Mount Baker and trimming back some hours so that I can spend more time with friends and family and on the water chasing waves and pursuing some of my own personal interests.'" To read more, click here.

--My Bellingham Now is reporting that, "a Whatcom Superior Court jury has found a Seattle man guilty of 2nd degree murder for killing his brother in North Cascades National Park. John Thomson was originally charged with first degree murder for shooting his brother Robert Thomson to death near Diablo Lake in August 2022." To read more, click here.

Click to Enlarge: This is a good annual warning about 

hazard in the Enchantments at Asgard Pass.

Sierra:

--SF Gate is reporting on a skier that fell down the Eastern Sierra's "Bloody Couloir," near Mammoth Lakes. Read about it here.

--There's a new Yosemite guidebook out!

--Mammoth Mountain intends to run its lifts through June.

Desert Southwest:

--The NPCA is reporting that, "in a split vote this week, the House Natural Resources Committee advanced a controversial amendment to the budget reconciliation bill that could force the disposal of thousands of acres of public land in Nevada and Utah, including those directly adjacent to Zion National Park. Rushed through without public or local community input or environmental review, this reckless proposal threatens to cut off access to public lands, remove critical protections for natural and cultural resources, and hand over public lands to state or private interests." To read more, click here.

Colorado and Utah:

--The Colorado Sun is reporting that, "a 32-year-old snowboarder who fell from a chairlift at Keystone ski area in December has died of his injuries. Donovan Romero, of Littleton, died May 2, according to the Summit County coroner. Romero fell from the Ruby Express chairlift Dec. 11 near the third tower. He momentarily hung from the armrest of the chairlift before falling an estimated 47 feet, according to a statement from the Colorado Passenger Tramway Safety Board." To read more, click here.

Alaska:

--AAI's first team has made it successfully onto Denali. They are currently making their way slowly up the mountain. To read updates on their expedition, click here.

AAI Denali Team 1

--Gripped is reporting on a new route that AAI Guide Tad McRea was involved in: "over several days at the end of April, Anna Pfaff, Andres Marin and Tad McCrea made the first ascent of the south face of Mount Providence in the Alaska Range. Their new 1,000-metre route is called Journey Through the Castle of Providence and graded WI4 M5 5.10 with steep snow. It follows a direct route to the summit. The first ascent team first spotted the line in 2024 from the Thunder Glacier." To read more, click here.

Notes from All Over:

--Gear Junkie is reporting that, "The REI Co-op today revealed the results of its annual election to fill seats on its board of directors, and supporters of co-op workers’ union efforts are claiming a major victory. Despite REI’s nominating and governance committee approving three candidates put forth by co-op leadership (two incumbents and one new director) and leaving two union-backed candidates off the ballot, none of REI’s nominees received enough votes to win election to the board." To read more, click here.

--Speaking of REI, Yahoo Finance is reporting that, "REI Co-op on Tuesday announced broad financial results from 2023, including a widening loss and a dip in revenues. In tandem with the release of its annual Impact Report, the outdoor retailer said it closed 2023 with $3.76 billion in net sales, which represented a 2.4 percent decrease from 2022. Net loss in 2023 was $311 million, which widened from a net loss of $164.71 million in 2022. The company said this loss was the combined result of investments in employee pay, member rewards and a $169 million non-cash valuation allowance, which REI said will be helpful when it returns to profitability." To read more, click here.

--Shop Eat Surf X Outdoors is reporting that, "The latest tariff rate reduction on products from China are a reprieve, but they’re still too high – and ongoing trade policy uncertainty is making it difficult to plan, forecast, budget and strategize for the future, according to surf and outdoor brand leaders." To read more, click here.

--KPCW is reporting that, "Preliminary data from the National Ski Areas Association (NSAA) indicates that the 2024-25 season saw the second-highest visitation on record at U.S. ski areas.

A total of 61.5 million skier visits represents a 1.7% increase over the previous season. But according to the National Ski Areas Association, the number trails the record-setting 2022-23 season by 3.9 million visits, or just under 6%." To read more, click here.

Upcoming Programs:

Denali - West Buttress
Ecuador Skills Expedition
Kilimanjaro
Rock Climbing in Red Rock Canyon
Alpine Mountaineering and Technical Leadership
Alpinism I: Introduction to Mountaineering
Mt. Baker Skills and Climb
Rescue Programs
Discounts and Special Offers
Mountain Center Events

Climbing and Outdoor News from Here and Abroad - 5/1/2025

Northwest:

--Lynnwood Times is reporting that, "Around 3 p.m. Saturday afternoon, a 911 call came into dispatch reporting that a climber had fallen from a cliff wall near the town of Index, close to the Upper Town Wall. Sky Valley Fire was first on scene as this was in their jurisdiction, and technical rescue personnel from Snohomish Regional Fire & Rescue and Snohomish County Fire District 4 were dispatched to support the high-angle rescue." To read more, click here.

--SnowBrains is reporting on some people that will likely face karma: "Police are asking residents to be on the lookout after nearly $10,000 worth of search and rescue and avalanche recovery gear was stolen from a vehicle parked outside a hotel on Recplace Drive, Prince George, British Columbia, on April 11. The theft, which occurred overnight in the 2900-block parking lot, has left local authorities concerned about the loss of critical safety equipment and its potential misuse in the community." To read more, click here.

Sierra:

--SF Gate is reporting that, "a jury in Mammoth Lakes convicted a prominent California professional climber and snowboarder from Yosemite Valley last week of three felonies and one misdemeanor for domestic violence. The convictions were tied to a 2023 attack against an ex-girlfriend, the Mono County District Attorney’s office confirmed." To read more, click here.

--Backpacker reported the following last week: "Beginning on April 25, Yosemite Valley’s backpackers campground will close to visitors, routing many hikers who would have stayed there to the Valley’s crowded Camp 4 instead and bringing the total number of shuttered backpackers campgrounds in the park this year to two,  with a third scheduled for a delayed opening." To read more, click here.

Desert Southwest:

--The Nevada Independent is reporting that, "Friends of Red Rock Canyon recently purchased adaptive equipment-accessible gates that have been installed at three trailheads off Highway 159 so that those with disabilities can use specially designed trail equipment to explore some of the canyon’s more remote areas." To read more, click here.

Colorado and Utah:

--The Park Record is reporting that, "A 63-year-old man is facing a second-degree felony stemming from an incident at Deer Valley Resort last month. Last week, the Summit County Attorney’s Office charged Paul H. Kauffman of Connecticut with aggravated assault. Charging documents accuse Kauffman of tackling a male skier from Arizona after a “short verbal argument” in mid-March. Kauffman alleged he was cut off by a different skier in the man’s party." To read more, click here.

Notes from All Over:

--8 WGL is reporting on a climbing accident in Pennsylvania: "A rock climber was flown to the hospital after falling onto a rock ledge at Susquehanna Riverlands State Park in York County, according to the Wrightsville Fire Department. The fire department said the man fell 15 feet onto the ledge on Sunday around 11:45 a.m." To read more, click here.

--Shop Eat Surf X Outdoor is reporting that, "Black Diamond Equipment announced its new pricing structure on Thursday to wholesale and direct-to-consumer customers due to the new tariffs put in place by the Trump administration, and SESO spoke with President Neil Fiske to find out more about the assumptions behind Black Diamond’s pricing strategy." To read more, click here.

--We recently interviewed Lisa Roderick about her new book, A Place Among Giants. Lisa was the Denali basecamp manager for 22-years, and in that time witnessed everything mountaineering could bring, triumph, tragedy, comedy and love. Check out our interview below:

--The Montana Free Press is reporting that, "The U.S. Department of the Interior, which manages more than 480 million acres of federal land across the country, has pledged to “implement emergency permitting procedures” to facilitate fossil fuel and critical mineral development. The department described its revised energy development directive as an effort to expedite permitting timelines so reviews that typically take several months or years can be reduced “to just weeks,” according to a press release the department issued April 23." To read more, click here.

--Unnofficial Networks is reporting that, "Denali National Park and Preserve has opened the Park Road to private vehicles as far as the Teklanika Rest Area at Mile 30 as of Friday, April 25. Low snow levels and warmer weather have assisted in the spring road crew’s effort to clear and open the Denali Park Road, though visitors should be aware that they may still encounter snow, ice, and mud on the road." To read more, click here.

Upcoming Programs:

Denali - West Buttress
Ecuador Skills Expedition
Kilimanjaro
Rock Climbing in Red Rock Canyon
Alpine Mountaineering and Technical Leadership
Alpinism I: Introduction to Mountaineering
Mt. Baker Skills and Climb
Rescue Programs
Discounts and Special Offers
Mountain Center Events

Climbing and Outdoor News from Here and Abroad - 4/24/25

Northwest:

--SF Gate is reporting that, "The northwest corner of Mount Rainier National Park became inaccessible on Monday after Washington officials shut down the only bridge leading to that area of the park. They closed the bridge after an inspection revealed deterioration of the steel supports, according to an announcement from the Washington State Department of Transportation, and now, engineers must conduct a weekslong evaluation to determine what repairs are necessary." To read more, click here.

--It appears unlikely that the reintroduction of grizzly bears in North Cascades National Park will take place during the current presidential administration. To read more, click here.

--The American Alpine Institute partnered with Wander Brewing to create a beer that would celebrate our company's 50-year history. They came up with Alpine Legacy, a west coast IPA that is awesome. You can purchase some at our shop, or here.

--Shop Eat Surf X Outdoors is reporting that, "Mountain Equipment Company (MEC) could be returning to a Canadian owner if Canada’s Competition Bureau approves an offer from Tim Gu, the president of textile manufacturer E.Star International and the principal owner of Smart Investment Ltd., a real estate investment firm. When reached by the Globe and Mail newspaper, Gu said approvals are still in the works." To read more, click here.

--AAI will be hosting the REEL Rock Film Tour on Friday, April 25 and Saturday, April 26. Doors open at 6:30. Games and prizes at 7:00, and movies at 7:30! Learn more.

Sierra:

--SnowBrains is reporting that the "I-see-dead-people" kid/man got arrested at Mammoth: "Haley Joel Osment, the actor who rose to fame as a child in “The Sixth Sense,” was arrested on April 8 at Mammoth Mountain Ski Area in California for alleged public intoxication and possession of a controlled substance, authorities confirmed this week. The 37-year-old was taken into custody after police responded to reports of “unruly conduct” in the Mill Base Lodge parking lot, where ski patrol had detained him until officers arrived around 2 p.m. local time." To read more, click here.

Desert Southwest:

--107 Coyote Country is reporting that, "Save Red Rock, a local nonprofit dedicated to protecting the Red Rock Canyon area, is urging the public to help address growing safety concerns on SR-159 by reporting unauthorized commercial truck activity. Known as Red Rock Canyon Road, the narrow two-lane highway has seen an increase in large truck traffic, raising hazards for cyclists and recreational users." To read more, click here.

Colorado and Utah:

--The Daily Camera is reporting that, "Emergency personnel rescued a climber Tuesday night who fell 15 feet down a rock face in Eldorado Canyon State Park in Boulder County. At about 6:45 p.m. Tuesday, Boulder County dispatch received a report of a fallen climber on the Wind Tower, a climbing area in the state park, according to Mountain View Fire Rescue spokesman Rick Tillery." To read more, click here.

Notes from All Over:

--West Virginia Eyewitness News is reporting that, "a rock climber who fell several feet had to be rescued first responders Sunday in Nicholas County. Firefighters with the Wilderness Volunteer Fire Department said they were called to the Zero Buttress Climbing Wall along the Meadow River in the Mount Lookout area about 3:30 p.m. after a climber had fallen, according to a news release." To read more, click here.

--Boston.com is reporting that, "A 39-year-old man skiing at the Black Mountain ski area in Jackson, New Hampshire, died Sunday after he went off a trail and crashed, authorities announced. The skier was identified as Eric Page of Bartlett, New Hampshire, according to Jackson police." To read more, click here.

--Surf Eat Shop x Outdoors is reporting that, "Brands are pausing shipments from China hoping the tariff dispute will be resolved as they scramble to remerchandise and narrow lines, and make plans to potentially cancel fall shipments because of the millions of dollars in fees that would be owed at U.S. ports." To read more, click here.

--There are a number of other tariff articles out there. Here are a few: Climbing magazine, How Not To, and Outside.

--The National Parks Conservation Association is reporting that, "the White House shared its intent to rescind the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) Public Lands Rule, a clarifying policy that brought long-overdue balance between conservation and extractive use in public lands management. This announcement threatens public land access and use by all user groups and could roll back protections and restoration efforts for some of the most celebrated landscapes in the country, including more than 80 national parks that are directly adjacent to BLM-managed lands." To read more, click here.

--Surf Eat Shop x Outdoors is reporting that, "the Conservation Alliance’s Brands for Public Lands Group, consisting of more than 60 brands, retailers, and other stakeholders is just getting started with two letters to legislators. But with political polarization at an all-time high, some companies are proceeding with caution." To read more, click here.

--Outside is reporting that, "he bikes, backpacks, tents, and other outdoor gear on our wishlists are about to get more expensive—a result of America’s burgeoning trade war. That’s the consensus of outdoor industry experts who spoke to Outside. As trade debates evolve and escalate on a daily basis, instability is the only constant right now in the outdoor industry, and sources told Outside that we are entering perhaps the most volatile and unpredictable period for businesses in recent memory." To read more, click here.

Upcoming Programs:

Denali - West Buttress
Ecuador Skills Expedition
Kilimanjaro
Rock Climbing in Red Rock Canyon
Alpine Mountaineering and Technical Leadership
Alpinism I: Introduction to Mountaineering
Mt. Baker Skills and Climb
Rescue Programs
Discounts and Special Offers
Mountain Center Events

Climbing and Outdoor News from Here and Abroad - 4/17/2025

Sierra:

Yosemite Valley

--Gripped is reporting that, "due to the federal government reducing staff size in Yosemite National Park, scientists have been assigned to cleaning campground bathrooms. The scientists include biologists, hydrologists, archaeologists, and wildlife specialists." To read more, click here.

Desert Southwest:

--A portion of Intersection Rock in Joshua Tree National Park has been closed for several weeks due to rockfall. Read more.

Colorado and Utah:

--Summit Daily is reporting that, "A skier suffered injuries in an avalanche Saturday, April 12, in the K Chute of a popular backcountry spot in Summit County known as the Sky Chutes, according to the Colorado Avalanche Information Center." To read more, click here.

--Summit Daily is reporting that, "A skier involved in an incident on the East Wall at Arapahoe Basin Ski Area was in critical condition as of Monday, April 14, according to information provided by the ski area and CommonSpirit Health. Ski patrol responded after a 46-year-old man was involved in a “serious incident” that occurred on the East Wall, Friday, April 11, A-Basin communications manager Shayna Silverman confirmed in a statement. The man was transported by Flight for Life helicopter to St. Anthony Hospital in Lakewood after the ski incident, Silverman said." To read more, click here.

--Gear Junkie is reporting that, "Four of Utah’s largest and most visited national parks and monuments operate from the same office in Moab. This facility is now squarely in the crosshairs of President Trump’s government efficiency cuts. On March 3, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) announced that it was terminating this office’s lease. This 35,000-square-foot facility in Utah houses engineers, resource crews, search and rescue, archeological surveyors, and more. Without it, many employees would be displaced, and equipment, vehicles, and archaeological artifacts would have nowhere to be stored." To read more, click here.

Notes from All Over:

--Teton Gravity Research is reporting that, "A tragic fall on closed terrain at Sugarloaf Mountain, Maine, claimed the life of Kendall Willard, a 63-year-old snowboarder from nearby Kingfield, on Saturday, April 5. According to Carrabassett Valley Police Chief Mark Lopez, Willard dropped a glove while riding the lift that morning. After unloading, he entered a closed trail on foot, having removed his snowboard, in an attempt to retrieve it. The trail—closed due to hazardous conditions—proved treacherous. Willard lost his footing and slid an estimated 800 feet down an icy slope, coming to rest in a group of trees." To read more, click here.

--IFL Science is reporting that, "According to a statement from the US Attorney's Office, District of Wyoming, 44-year-old Angela Flaherty of Seattle, Washington, pled guilty to leaving the designated boardwalk and viewing area around the Old Faithful geyser, one of Yellowstone’s most beloved thermal features. Flaherty was caught on camera by another visitor straying around 3 meters (10 feet) into the geyser’s cone. Not only was this a public land violation, landing Flaherty a seven-day stint in jail, but it was also not a sensible idea. When Old Faithful erupts, it expels thousands of liters of boiling water, alongside scalding steam. We’ll stay right back, thank you very much." To read more, click here.

--Yahoo Sports is reporting that, "In news that will delight fans of competition climbing, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has announced that there will be three separate climbing events at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games: Speed, Lead and Boulder." To read more, click here.

--Gear Junkie is reporting that, "in an extraordinary announcement posted to REI’s social media accounts on Wednesday, April 9, REI’s new president spoke directly to the retailer’s millions of customers. Mary Beth Laughton, a longtime board member who officially took the reins of the company on March 31, said REI had “made a mistake” by signing a January letter in support of Doug Burgum, Trump’s pick for Secretary of the Department of the Interior." To read more, click here.

Upcoming Programs:

Denali - West Buttress
Ecuador Skills Expedition
Kilimanjaro
Rock Climbing in Red Rock Canyon
Alpine Mountaineering and Technical Leadership
Alpinism I: Introduction to Mountaineering
Mt. Baker Skills and Climb
Rescue Programs
Discounts and Special Offers
Mountain Center Events

Conditions and News from Here and Abroad - 3/27/2025

Northwest:

--The National Post and others are reporting that, "A deadly avalanche that swept over heli-skiers in British Columbia’s Purcell Mountains on Monday, killing three, was a reminder that even with experience and the right gear “something can surprise you,” a rescue manager said. RCMP said in a news release that the slide came down on the east side of Kootenay Lake in southeast B.C., burying the skiers." To read more, click here.

--Teton Gravity Research is reporting that, "Summer skiing on the Horstman Glacier at Whistler Blackcomb, BC, has been an institution for decades. The glacier was one of the only spots in North America for skiers and snowboarders to train and ride through the off-season, drawing some of the biggest names in freestyle and racing. Now, glacial retreat is bringing that glorious era of consistent summer riding to an end. In a blog post, Momentum Camps announced that its operations on the Horstman Glacier are indefinitely suspended. Whistler Blackcomb has confirmed it can no longer maintain summer glacier skiing due to severe snowpack depletion and glacial recession, which have made lift access and safety overwhelmingly difficult." To read more, click here.

--Here's a cool trip report about a new mixed line in BC.

Desert Southwest:

--NPR is reporting that, "The Trump administration has sparked confusion over the future of two national monuments in California that President Biden designated before he left office. Biden established Chuckwalla National Monument and Sáttítla Highlands National Monument on Jan. 14, protecting land considered sacred by area tribes." To read more, click here.

Colorado and Utah:

--The Boulder County Sheriff's Office is reporting that, "On March 23, 2025 about 3:15pm Boulder County Regional Communication Center received a 911 text of an injured fallen climber, in the 33700 blk. of Boulder Canyon Dr. (Rivera climbing area) Boulder County. While Deputies and emergency personnel were responding , more 911 texts were received stating CPR was in progress and the party was unresponsive. A 41 year old male from Golden, Colorado was climbing with his family and friends in this area. The male was found unresponsive after what appeared to be a fall from 20 feet and died from his injuries." To read more, click here.

Notes from All Over:

--SnowBrains is reporting that, "a young snowmobiler was killed in an avalanche on Seattle Ridge in Turnagain Pass, Alaska, on Saturday, March 22. The incident occurred at 2:34 p.m. when the Alaska State Troopers received a report of the fatality. The boy triggered the avalanche while riding with a group on the backside of the ridge, northwest of the Seward Highway." To read more, click here.

--Yahoo News is reporting that, "on March 20, 2025, the REI Union announced that the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) had filed a complaint that REI has violated federal labor laws by withholding merit raises and summit pay from employees at unionized stores across the United States. These benefits have been a significant component of REI’s employee benefits package for over a decade and have been unlawfully withheld from unionized employees since they initiated bargaining." To read more, click here.

--Outside is reporting that, "throughout 2024 and 2025, a litany of outdoor gear brands—from Patagonia to Orvis to REI—have announced revenue shortfalls, downsized their staff, or shuttered altogether. The Outdoor Retailer Trade Show—one of the industry’s biggest events—declared in September that it would drop to just one show per year, combining its summer and winter gear conventions into a single annual event. The turmoil has generated local and national headlines. It’s also forced many workers, from entry-level employees to business owners, to analyze the micro and macroeconomic forces that are putting financial pressure on businesses." To read more, click here.

--It appears that routesetters at the Touchstone Climbing Gym in LA are on strike. Read about it.

Upcoming AAI Programs:

Denali - West Buttress
Ecuador Skills Expedition
Kilimanjaro
Rock Climbing in Red Rock Canyon
Alpine Mountaineering and Technical Leadership
Alpinism I: Introduction to Mountaineering
Mt. Baker Skills and Climb
Rescue Programs
Discounts and Special Offers
Mountain Center Events