Climbing and Outdoor News from Here and Abroad - 2/7/19

Climate Advocacy:

--At last week's Outdoor Retailer Show, the industry launched a stand-alone entity called the Outdoor Business Climate Partnership. This organization will work to advocate for green energy and public lands by flexing the outdoor industry's muscle. To read more, click here.

--Wired is reporting that, "in the insular world of snow and avalanche researchers, there is general agreement that climate change will affect avalanche activity." To read more, click here.

Northwest:

The shadow of two climbers at Smith Rock.

--News Channel 21 is reporting that, "Deschutes County sheriff's deputies called to an apparently fatal fall at Smith Rock State Park on Thursday afternoon have conducted an investigation and determined the death to be a suicide, officials said." To read more, click here.

Sierra:

--Free Solo has just become the second biggest grossing documentary of 2018. Variety is reporting that, "National Geographic’s palm-sweat inducing film has now surpassed “RBG,” Magnolia Pictures and Participant Media’s feature of esteemed Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, as the second-highest grossing documentary of 2018. 'Free Solo' added another $1.38 million in its 19th weekend of release, bringing its total bounty to $14.98 million. It played at 483 venues this weekend, including over 350 Imax screens, marking its widest point of release to date. 'Free Solo' has also generated an impressive $1.6 million in the United Kingdom, where it is now the biggest doc of last year." To read more, click here.

--Here's a round-up of Yosemite rockfall incidents in 2018.

--Speaking of Yosemite, it was closed yesterday due to a snow storm. To read more, click here.

Desert Southwest:

--The Desert Sun is reporting that, "Some of the most iconic photographs taken inside national parks during the partial government shutdown were of fallen Joshua trees inside Joshua Tree National Park. One of those images, which showed a downed Joshua tree that had apparently been felled, was published in early January by the nonprofit publication National Parks Traveler." To read more, click here.

Colorado and Utah:

--The Denver Post is reporting that, "Colorado Parks and Wildlife officers confirmed through a necropsy that a jogger on Horsetooth Mountain in Larimer County survived a rare attack by a young mountain lion by suffocating the animal to death. 'After additional investigation, including examination of the lion, we have confirmed the victim’s account that he was able to suffocate the animal while defending himself from attack,' Colorado Parks and Wildlife officials tweeted Tuesday morning." To read more, click here.

--Summit Daily is reporting that, "When it comes to avalanches, Colorado stands alone as the single most dangerous destination in the country. And if the early numbers are any indication, the state may be headed for a grim milestone." To read more, click here.

Notes from All Over:

--The News and Observer is reporting that, "A rock climber was injured but alive after falling off popular Looking Glass Rock in the North Carolina mountains on Saturday, according to Facebook posts by the Transylvania County Rescue Squad. The climber fell 100 to 150 feet to the base of the rock, the squad wrote on Facebook." To read more, click here.

--Last week at the Outdoor Retailer Show, Camber Outdoors got itself into some hot water. Camber has been known for promoting women in the outdoor industry. But recently they attempted to expand their efforts to include people of color. The announcement of this new initiative, though admirable, was poorly executed and tone deaf. To read more, click here. There's an interesting take on this at mountainproject.com.

--Former AAI Guide Chantel Astorga has won a Cutting Edge Grant from the American Alpine Club to climb in Pakistan's Karakoram. To read more, click here.

--The Hill is reporting that the NPS will not use entrance fees to pay for the shutdown. To read more, click here.

--An oil industry lobbyist has been selected as the next Secretary of the Interior. To read more, click here.

--The American Alpine Club Live Your Dream grant application period is now open. According to the AAC, "The Live Your Dream grant, powered by The North Face, is designed to help every-day adventurers take their abilities to the next level. It is about personal progression. It is about supporting each other; getting out there to push our individual limits; taking our skills to the next proving grounds, wherever that may be. The purpose of this grant is to support and promote unforgettable experiences for climbers—to dream big, to grow, and to inspire others." To read more, click here.