Climbing and Outdoor News from Here and Abroad - 1/25/18

Northwest:

--A 24-year-old snowboarder went missing on Sunday in the Mt. Baker Ski Area. Unfortunately, the search mission in steep cliffy area has been suspended due to blizzard conditions on the mountain. To read more, click here.

--Global News is reporting that, "the B.C. Coroners Service is investigating a death on Mount Washington after the Vancouver Island ski resort received record-breaking snowfall." To read more, click here.

--The Seattle Times is reporting that, "Warren A. Miller, the pioneering snow-sports filmmaker whose infectious zeal for the “pure freedom” associated with skiing, snowboarding and other pursuits inspired multiple generations of adventure-seekers around the globe, died Wednesday at his home on Orcas Island. He was 93." To read more, click here.

--Bellingham's Blanchard Mountain has been protected from clearcutting. To read more about the bill that did this, click here.

Desert Southwest:

--The annual Red Rock Rendezvous is slated to take place in Las Vegas from March 16-19, 2018. This is one of the biggest climbing festivals in the country...and one of the most fun. The American Alpine Institute works with Mountain Gear to put on the festival every year and many AAI guides will be on hand for both instruction, as well as for hanging out at the evening parties. You might also consider booking a guide before or after the program, or even participating in an additional climbing class. To read more, click here.

--Alex Honnold was derided for posting pictures of the Women's March in Las Vegas on Social Media. Critics said things like, "stick to climbing!" And several other, not-so-nice things. His response was excellent. To see it, click here.

Colorado:

--ABC News is reporting that, "a backcountry skier died in the San Juan Mountains of southwestern Colorado Sunday, marking the state's first known avalanche fatality of the season, authorities said. The skier was 'caught, killed while in an area known locally as Sam’s Trees in San Miguel County, Colorado, about 300 miles southwest of Aspen, according to the Colorado Avalanche Information Center (CAIC)." To read more, click here.

--The Denver Post is reporting that, "A man visiting the Crystal River Valley got lost while backcountry skiing Saturday near Marble, spent the night in a snowstorm and skied out Sunday afternoon, according to Crested Butte Search and Rescue. 'He rescued himself, basically,' said Jeff Duke, vice president of Crested Butte Search and Rescue and one of its team leaders." To read more, click here.

--The Winter Outdoor Retail Show is in Denver this week. This is a big deal because it's the first show in Denver after the show pulled out from Salt Lake City. The show left Salt Lake because state politicians didn't share the values of the show and supported things like the cutting of Bear's Ears. It's also a big deal because the show is combining with the Snow Sports Industries show. The Denver Post is reporting that, "If all goes as planned this week, the Outdoor Retailer + Snow Show will spark a political movement that establishes the industry as a major economic, cultural and political force." To read more, click here.

--The Access Fund is hiring an Events and Outreach Manager. To see the job listing, click here.

--And finally, the Ouray Ice Festival was a huge success this year. To read more, click here.

Notes from All Over:

--A 19-year-old was killed after she hit a tree at Coffee Mill Ski Area in Minnesota on Saturday. To read more, click here.

--A skier died after another skier collided with him at Blue Mountain Resort in Pennsylvania. It appears that Grygoriy Sologub, 53, had fallen when another skier ran into him. To read more, click here.

--During the Government Shutdown, we were allowed to operate in many places that we weren't during the last shutdown, and indeed, non-commercial climbers were too...but that may change if there's another shutdown, due to idiots like the ones profiled in a Washington Post article. Tourists on a commercial snowmobile broke park rules by driving too close to Yellowstone National Park’s iconic Old Faithful geyser Sunday, park officials confirmed, at a time when most staff was furloughed during the partial government shutdown. In an interview Monday, park superintendent Dan Wenk said one of the concession operators who is authorized to conduct snowmobile tours through Yellowstone — and was allowed to continue doing so even as most park employees stopped work this weekend — violated park rules." To read more, click here.

--Here's a #MeToo Guide for Outdoorsy Dudes who want to support outdoorsy women.

--The office of the Secretary of the Interior "went off" on the individuals who resigned from the National Parks System Advisory Council last week. To read more, click here.

--The New York Times has a great article this week on how climate change is affecting avalanches. To read more, click here.

--The Daily Mail in the UK is reporting on a climber who is being inundated with hate mail after leaving his dog to die in a storm. To read more, click here.

--The American Alpine Club has announced the winners of the Cutting Edge Grants. To read about the winners, click here.

--An all female team made a 62-day traverse of Antarctica. To read about it, click here.