Climbing and Outdoor News from Here and Abroad - 1/5/17

Northwest:

--Longtime Mt. Baker Ski Area employee, Randy Hook, 67, died of a heart attack at the ski area on Sunday. To read more, click here.

--North Shore News is reporting that, "North Shore Rescue's first mission of 2017 came just days after the last search of 2016 ended in tragedy. After more than five days of scouring the gullies and drainages around Cypress Mountain for two lost snowshoers, the team's leadership and West Vancouver police made the decision to call off the search for Roy Tin Hou Lee and Chun Sek Lam on Friday." To read more, click here.

--The Revelstoke Review is reporting that, "a forecaster for Avalanche Canada is advising people to be very careful when putting more than one person on a slope after a snowmobiler died in an avalanche near Valemount on Friday. RCMP say the avalanche took place in the Clemina area in the Monashee Mountains 20 kilometres southeast of Valemount on Dec. 30." To read more, click here.

--Living Snoqualmie is reporting that SAR crews were very busy on Christmas day in the I-90 Corridor. "While many of us were home enjoying Christmas Day, more than 50 King County Search and Rescue (KCSAR) volunteers spent much of the trudging through snow and water to help hikers in popular Snoqualmie Valley hiking spots." To read more, click here.

--Here's a story about a guy who got caught out while snowshoeing overnight. This individual got lost in a snowstorm. These things happen. However, they can be avoided. In the story, the author keeps saying that the Ten Essentials work and that carrying them is important. Part of the Ten Essential kit is a map and compass. And in 2017, I would argue that you should also include a GPS and an altimeter. To avoid spending an unintended night out, it's important that you understand how to effectively use all four of these tools...

Desert Southwest:

--Gripped is reporting that, "two weeks ago, Ethan Pringle went to Red Rock Canyon with some friends and discovered the crux sloper on Meadowlark Lemon V14 had been chipped." To read more, click here.

--The designation of the Bears Ears National Monument last week was a major victory for Native Americans and outdoor recreationalists. But could the new administration reverse this decision. The unfortunate answer is, possibly. To read an article about this in OutsideOnline, click here.

The left-hand corner had a triangular BLM logo. This was destroyed

by people taking pictures who were wearing climbing gear a couple 

of weeks ago. Photo by Doug Foust.

--Two weeks ago we reported on the damage done to the Red Rock Canyon sign. Now the BLM is offering a reward for anyone who can track down those behind the damage. To read more, click here.

Colorado:

--Fox 31 Denver is reporting that, "The Summit County Sheriff's Office is asking for the public's help in finding a snowboarder who allegedly crashed into a skier at Keystone Resort. The skier, Jenny Elma, underwent surgery Tuesday night. Doctors said Elma's leg was broken in several places and one of her joints exploded. Doctors put 13 screws in her leg during a five-hour surgery." To read more, click here.

--A lynx randomly showed up and wandered around Purgatory Ski Resort last week. This is a very rare animal and several people took videos and photos of it. To read more, click here.

--9 News is reporting that Copper Ridge has a new system to deal with avalanches. The avalanche roller breaks down hidden slabs before avalanches can do it. To read more, click here.

Notes from All Over:

--A 24-year old man was killed when he struck a tree at Utah's Snowbasin Resort last week. To read more, click here.

--CBC News is reporting that, "An ice climber has been flown by STARS air ambulance to hospital from Kananaskis country after suffering injuries to her head, neck and shoulders from falling ice." To read more, click here.

--WHEC is reporting that, "For the second time in two weeks, a skier captured video of a child dangling from a chairlift at Utah's Sundance Mountain Resort. On Monday afternoon, a young boy skiing with friends was snagged by the moving chairlift. By all accounts, the roughly 10-year-old child, who was not injured, remained calm through the ordeal." To read more, click here.

--The New York Times recently ran an article about the human factor in avalanches. To read the article, click here.

--CNN has an article online about Danny Levitt, a high altitude expert, and her research on the Sherpa people and how they deal with altitude. "Presenting her findings at the World Extreme Medicine Expo in London, last month, Levett identified differences in the parts of human cells that respire to generate energy -- known as mitochondria. The Sherpas' mitochondria were much more efficient at using oxygen. 'They're like a fuel-efficient car,' said Levett. 'You get more energy for less oxygen.' In addition, the team studied blood vessels under the tongue and other locations in the body, to monitor blood circulation within the organs -- known as the microcirculation. This form of blood circulation occurs in the smallest blood vessels and determines how well oxygen reaches muscles, tissues and organs -- so how well your body actually functions. At high altitude, the blood flow within these small blood vessels was found to slow down in the non-Sherpa volunteers, but remained normal in Sherpas." To read more, click here.

--Molly Absolon has an excellent piece on the underreporting of avalanches in the Jackson Hole News and Guide. Her article was predicated by the possibility that a skier triggered an avalanche that hit a car last week. Nobody has come forward to take responsibility, which isn't surprising because it appeared that the villagers were grabbing their pitchforks and looking for blood... Molly notes that we can learn from non-fatal avalanches and that they should be reported more often. To read the article, click here.

Protected areas like State Parks, National Parks and National Monuments

drive economic growth.

--The Mercury News argues that National Monuments drive economic growth. As entrepreneurs and venture capitalists, we welcome the permanent protection of these monuments, not only because it will help ensure the longevity of irreplaceable American natural and cultural treasures, but also because of the economic opportunities the monuments will help to inspire among entrepreneurial companies throughout the country." To read more, click here.

--The Casper Star Tribune is reporting that, "Wyoming ski areas would receive new protection from lawsuits under a proposed bill coming to the Legislature in January. The Ski Safety Act would protect ski areas from liability where a skier is injured as a result of 'the inherent risks in skiing.' Inherent risks listed in the legislation include weather and snow conditions, crashing into ski area infrastructure, wildlife, trees or rocks, collisions with a ski area snowmobile and injuries from skiing on terrain created by ski areas including jumps." To read more, click here.