Climbing and Outdoor News from Here and Abroad - 2/14/19

Climate Advocacy:

--So, the head of the International Ski Federation is both a climate denier, as well as a guy who loves to work with dictators. It seems like he should get a new job, or at least lose the one he currently has. Maybe these tone deaf comments will help with that. To read more, click here.

Northwest:

--Outside is reporting that the CEO of REI is stepping down due to a undisclosed personal relationship with the leader of another outdoor brand. To read more, click here.



--The Washington Beer Blog is reporting that, "Rainier Beer and Aslan Brewing teamed up to create a beer to benefit Protect Our Winters, an organization of winter athletes and forward-thinking business leaders working toward systemic political solutions to climate change. In addition to being a benefit beer, it celebrates a legendary event at Mount Baker. Here is the press release with all the information. Rainier and Aslan teamed up to create King of the Mountain, a limited release pilsner." The event is the Legendary Banked Slalom, which took place over the weekend. To read more, click here.

Sierra:

--The Tahoe Daily Tribune is reporting that, "a snowboarder who went outside the boundaries at Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows ski resort made it out of the snowbound backcountry thanks to efforts by a local search and rescue team. The rescue occurred in the bitter cold morning hours of Feb. 1, according to a press release form the Tahoe Nordic Search and Rescue Team." To read more, click here.

--Free Solo has won a British Film Award (Bafta) for Best Documentary. This is a stepping stone toward an Oscar. The Oscars will be on Sunday, February 24th, and Free Solo is up for Best Documentary:

Desert Southwest:

--The National Parks Traveler is reporting that, "Grand Canyon National Park Superintendent Christine Lehnertz, who was removed from her job last fall after undisclosed allegations were made against her, has been cleared of any wrongdoing and is returning to the park. In an email to Grand Canyon staff, acting National Park Service Director Dan Smith on Thursday said an investigation into the allegations concluded they lacked credence." To read more, click here.

--Is access to the outdoors a basic human right? We think so, and so do lawmakers in New Mexico. Outside ran an editorial last week about an outdoor equity fund being put together in that state. To read more, click here.

Colorado and Utah:

--KCRA 3 is reporting that, "Authorities have identified a 30-year-old California man who died in a skiing accident over the weekend at a resort near Lake Tahoe. The Washoe County Regional Medical Examiner's Office in Reno said Andrew McDowell of Tahoe City, California died at a Reno hospital Sunday from injuries he suffered at Northstar California resort near Truckee, California." To read more, click here.

--Utah's Park Record is reporting that, "A 49-year-old man from Mona died Saturday in an avalanche in the eastern part of Summit County, according to the Summit County Sheriff's Office." To read more, click here.

--And here's another close call from Utah:

--The Vail Daily Press is reporting that, "Seeking to restore the landscape and teach the importance of respecting the land, a group of rock climbing enthusiasts scrubbed 400 graffiti markings from hills adjacent to Horseman’s Center Park this weekend. The “Apple Valley Rally Vol. 2 Graffiti Clean-Up” was the High Desert Climbers’ second such event." To read more, click here.

--Here's a strong argument for the abolition of outdoor trade shows.

--A skier struck by a snowboarder at Snowmass is filing a lawsuit. To read more, click here.

--Utah's congressman Rob Bishop appears to be blaming the clothing manufacturer Patagonia for climate change. Bishop was one of the forces behind the shrinking of Bears Ears National Monument. To read more, click here.

Notes from All Over:


--A climber survived a major fall in North Carolina last week. The climber reportedly fell 100 to 150-feet at Looking Glass Rock. To read more, click here.

--There was a fatality this week at Blue Mountain Ski Resort in Pennsylvania. To read more, click here.

--A 68-year-old died at Vermont's Jay Peak resort after hitting a tree. To read more, click here.

--The UK Women's "Grit and Rock" climbing awards have been announced. Among the winners is Chantel Astorga, a former AAI Guide. To read about all the winners, click here.

--After a big dust-up over competing diversity initiatives at the Winter Outdoor Retailer Show, we have the opportunity to learn. And this editorial is a good place to start.

--The Access Fund is reporting that it is, "is excited to announce that we will increase our Climbing Conservation Grant Program from $40,000 a year to $55,000 a year to meet the growing need for climbing area conservation and strengthen local climbing advocates." To read more, click here.

--Prana is in trouble with, well, everybody after posting the preceding photo on Instagram. If you've ever been caving, then you know that the very first rule is not to touch delicate structures, like stalactites and stalagmites. Touching one of these features can impact hundreds, or even thousands, of years of growth. Naturally, people were up in arms after this photo was posted. To read more, click here.

--And finally, bear hangs might not be the best way to keep your food away from hungry animals. To read more, click here.