Climbing and Outdoor News from Here and Abroad - 2/1/18

Northwest:

--Oregon Live is reporting that, "A Mount Hood ski patroller was seriously injured in an avalanche Wednesday afternoon while working in a closed area of the resort, authorities confirmed. The patroller, a member of Mt. Hood Meadows Pro Patrol, was one of three working in the area when the avalanche occurred, according to a resort spokesman. The unidentified patroller, who was partially buried, was taken to a hospital, the spokesman said." To read more, click here.

--A group of backcountry skiers were caught in an avalanche in British Columbia's Hollyburn Mountain on Saturday. They were able to self-rescue. To read more, click here.

Sierra:

--The NPS is reporting that, "today, U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke announced that he has selected Michael T. (Mike) Reynolds to be the superintendent of Yosemite National Park in California. He also named Paul Daniel (Dan) Smith the National Park Service’s acting director, replacing Reynolds, who has exercised the authority of NPS director since January 3, 2017." To read more, click here.

Desert Southwest:

Z 107.7 is reporting that, "After numerous citizen complaints and media pressure, the County said it is finally taking steps towards fulfilling its obligations on Section 6 in Joshua Tree. The 605-acre parcel, bisected by a dirt portion of Onaga Trail East of Quail Springs Road, has turned into an unregulated, wild-west ad hoc campground, climbing, off-road vehicle and open play area." To read more, click here.

--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.

--Somebody poached a pregnant elk in Zion National Park last week. To read more, click here.

Colorado:

--The Denver Post is reporting that, "Skiers and snowboarders notched yet another victory Monday as Telluride ski area joined the Epic Pass for the 2018-19 season, the first limited-access partner to take up with Vail Resorts as it squares off with Alterra Mountain Co. in a season-pass brawl." To read more, click here.

Notes from All Over:

--A dramatic rescue took place in the Himalaya this week. Rock and Ice is reporting that, "Adam Bielecki and Denis Urubko blasted up Nanga Parbat during a frigid night to rescue the stranded Elisabeth Revol. Her partner Tomek Mackiewicz could not be saved." To read more, click here.

--Alpinist magazine and many others are reporting that, "The legendary Himalayan historian Elizabeth Hawley died on January 26 at the age of 94 in Kathmandu, Nepal. Her remarkable life has had several distinctive chapters, but the mountaineering community will remember her most as the chronicler of Himalayan climbing." To read more, click here.

--A skier died after hitting a tree at Big Sky Ski Resort in Montana. To read more, click here.

--A 20-year-old skier died in Park City this week after hitting a tree. To read more, click here.

Liz Daley guiding in Washington Pass.

--Outside is reporting that, Jones Snowboards is giving away $1,500 in cash to women who want to explore backcountry frontiers. They're also kicking in a new Jones splitboard, skins, and backpack. The grant is offered in partnership with the American Alpine Club, and only women qualify. It honors Liz Daley, a snowboarder and mountain guide who died in a 2014 avalanche while descending 7,000-foot Cerro Vespignani, in Argentinian Patagonia. The Live Like Liz Award seeks to support women who share Daley’s passion for wilderness exploration." Liz was an AAI Guide. To read more, click here.