Climbing and Outdoor News from Here and Abroad - 8/24/17

Northwest:

--The Bellingham Herald is reporting that, "A climber was killed and his companion was seriously hurt Saturday afternoon when they fell into a glacial crevasse near Mount Baker, officials said. Whatcom County Sheriff Bill Elfo said the man who died was an active-duty member of the U.S. armed forces." To read more, click here. The identity of the victim and the cause of death was released, here.

Read more here: http://www.bellinghamherald.com/news/local/article168354797.html#storylink=cpy

--The Seattle Times is reporting that, "The body of a 61-year-old Bellingham woman and mountaineer has been recovered from a glacier in North Cascades National Park. North Cascades National Park Service spokeswoman Denise Shultz says search-and-rescue personnel from North Cascades and Mount Rainier national parks recovered Susan Bennett’s body Saturday." To read more, click here.

--The Bellingham Herald is reporting that, "The body of a 30-year-old skier who went missing from Mount Rainier last month after he fell through a snowbridge was found at the bottom of a waterfall, the park said." To read more, click here.

--An individual canyoneering near Wallace Falls near Gold Bar was seriously injured after making a rappelling mistake this week. To read more, click here.

Read more here: http://www.bellinghamherald.com/news/state/article168263417.html#storylink=cpy

--A group of Boy Scouts put out a wildfire before it became a problem...

--The Diamond Creek Fire in the Pasayten Wilderness has definitely stopped more than one climbing or backpacking trip this season. NWhikers.net has been keeping track of it, here.

--The Access Fund is reporting that, "Last month, Washington Climbers Coalition (WCC) and Access Fund launched the multi-year Washington Climbing Conservation Initiative to improve sustainability of popular climbing areas like the Gold Bar Boulders, Index, Tieton, and Exit 38’s Far Side." To read more, click here.

Sierra:

--Here is a recent SAR report from Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park. There were four recent incidents.

--The Sierra Wave is reporting that, "The Reds Meadow Road has been selected for a California Federal Lands Access Program (CA FLAP) Project, preliminarily funded in 2022, based on availability of funding." To read more, click here.

Desert Southwest:

--The Las Vegas Review-Journal is reporting that, "Clark County District Court Judge Jerry Wiese declined to rule from the bench Thursday on motions to dismiss a lawsuit challenging plans to build more than 5,000 homes atop a hill bordering the Red Rock National Conservation Area. Wiese told attorneys representing Clark County, mining company Gypsum Resources and environmental nonprofit Save Red Rock that he will make a ruling within one month." To read more, click here.

--Red Rock Canyon is increasing amenity fees. To keep up to date on this, join the Southern Nevada Climbers Coalition Facebook Group. Check out the new proposed rates below:

(click to enlarge)

Colorado:

--A climber who suffered a broken leg near Fish Creek Road was plucked up by a Blackhawk Helicopter this week. To read more, click here.

--Mountaineer David Cook has been missing in the Maroon Bells area since September. A recent search for remains has come up empty. To read more, click here.

--The Denver Post is reporting that, "Colorado’s 61 all-volunteer, nonprofit search-and-rescue teams are the first line of defense protecting the state’s surging population of outdoor enthusiasts. And those volunteers have never been busier. Across the state’s high country, rescue teams are seeing more calls for help as a surge of adventurers find that the mountains — especially along the Front Range — can be unforgiving even if they’re easy to get to. 'Our total calls have been steadily increasing,' said Jeff Sparhawk of Boulder’s Rocky Mountain Rescue Group, the state’s busiest search team." To read more, click here.

Notes from All Over:

--The Billings Gazette is reporting that, "A Utah climber who was seriously injured in a fall after summiting the Grand Teton on Friday was evacuated by Grand Teton National Park rangers via helicopter." To read more, click here.

--A stuck soloist was lucky that a local guide showed up in the Adirondacks. Apparently the soloist got stuck at the crux of Shipton's Voyage (5.4, 100'). Eventually a local guide showed up and was able to tie the soloist in with a bowline and get him off the route. To read more, click here.

--Climbing magazine is reporting that, "On Friday, August 18, Andrew “Bob/Ducky” Harris became the first person with Down Syndrome to summit the Grand Teton." To read more, click here.

--The Aspen Times is reporting that, "the new ski conglomerate affiliated with Aspen Skiing Co. made another move Monday by reaching an agreement to acquire Deer Valley Resort in Utah. The new ski company, which is still unnamed, said the purchase is anticipated to be completed prior to the 2017-18 ski season. Deer Valley, regarded as one of the more luxurious resorts in the ski industry, is the 13th resort to get folded into the company." To read more, click here.