Climbing and Outdoor News from Here and Abroad - 3/3/16

Northwest:

--A skier in BC survived a close call with an avalanche near Nelson. To read more, click here.

--There are rumblings that they are going to begin to charge skiers, climbers and snowshoers for use of Mt. Baker Ski Area's Upper Parking Lot. To read more, click here.

--The American Alpine Institute is hiring. We are seeking a new Southwest and Foreign Programs Coordinator. To learn more, click here.

Sierra:

--A 62-year-old woman suffered a fatal fall while skiing at Squaw Valley near Lake Tahoe on Saturday. To read more, click here.

--The body of a Northern California ski instructor, who was missing for more than a month, was found Monday buried under five feet of snow in an area prone to avalanches, officials said. Carson May, 23, was a ski instructor at the Sugar Bowl Resort in Norden and went missing Jan. 14, according to the ski resort. Immediately after his disappearance, more than 400 volunteers and law enforcement personnel began searching for May. The rescue effort was suspended after five days. To read more, click here.

Desert Southwest:

--Sen. Dianne Feinstein has reintroduced legislation that could expand Joshua Tree National Park and attempts to balance conservation with off-road recreation and renewable energy development in the California desert. The legislation is similar to a bill the California Democrat introduced last February but it leaves out 1.8 million acres of California desert that are part of three national monuments – Mojave Trails, Sand to Snow and Castle Mountains – that President Barack Obama designated earlier this month. To read more, click here.

--The best climbing festival of the year is now accepting registrations. Red Rock Rendezvous will run from April 1-3. Come on out to Vegas and get your climb on! To read more, click here.

Colorado:

--A 26-year-old Colorado skier died after an accident at Breckenridge Ski Resort Tuesday. Breckenridge Ski Resort officials said the man had an "incident" on an intermediate trail that was reported at 11:15 a.m. To read more, click here.

--Rocky Mountain National Park has become the third-most visited national park in the country after topping 4 million visitors for the first time in 2015. To read more, click here.

--Can drones change the game when it comes to avalanche victim location and avalanche control...? One company thinks so. Read more, here.

--Avalanche dogs are an essential part of an emergency response plan for Breckenridge Ski Resort. To read more, click here.

Notes from All Over:

--Scott “Cozzy” Cosgrove, 51, passed away while hiking alone in the Santa Monica hills near his home in California on February 24, 2016. Although the cause of his death is unknown at this time, friends and family believe that he likely died due to complications from past injuries. Cosgrove is well known for his bold ascents in Yosemite Valley. He was also involved in several high end ascents in places like Patagonia and the Canadian Yukon. To read more, click here.

--Calvin Swoager Jr. was killed in a climbing accident in Dunbar Township in Georgia. The 66-year old was considered a local legend by those who knew him. To read more, click here.

--On February 27, the team of Alex Txikon, Ali Sadpara, Simone Moro, and Tamara Lunger safely returned to basecamp after the first winter ascent of Nanga Parbat, successfully completing one of the most sought-after challenges in alpinism. To read more, click here.

--The Adventure Journal recently posted a list of every ski area price in the United States. They've broken down prices by state and have also identified the most expensive ski areas in the country. To see the list, click here.

--The hardest drytooling route in the world recently saw a second ascent. To read more and to see a video of the ascent, click here.

--The Upper Devil’s Kitchen of Platte Clove, NY has been donated to the state of New York to be included as part of Catskill Park, for future generations to access and enjoy. Elka Park, New York. Two ice climbers and local land owner work together to donate a unique parcel of land known as the Devil’s Kitchen to the State of New York. To read more, click here.

--The authorities in Nepal are to extend for free permits for foreigners prevented from climbing Mount Everest by last year's earthquakes. More than 800 foreign climbers had paid up to $11,000 for permits for expeditions cancelled after quakes in April and May. Climbers who missed out will be able to use the same permit for 2016 and 2017.