Climbing, Coronavirus and Outdoor News from Here and Abroad - 4/23/20

Northwest:

Sierra:

--It appears that there have been several mountain lion sightings in the Big Pine area. Several goats in town have been attacked and killed. It is very rare for these animals to attack people though. To read more, click here.

Desert Southwest:

--There's more garbage on the trails than usual. People are hiking and littering, and few are cleaning up after themselves without oversight. To read more, click here.

Colorado and Utah:

--Out There Colorado is reporting that, "Three backcountry skiers were involved in an avalanche near the 12,885-foot summit of Red Peak, located north of Silverthorne, Colorado. One did not survive. Summit County Rescue Group received a report of a skier-triggered avalanche at about 1:40 on Wednesday, April 15. While three skiers were descending Red Peak, a “shallow avalanche” broke at the most-uphill skier, catching the two skiers below. One skier was carried a short distance before managing to “roll back over onto his skis and right himself.” Unfortunately, the third skier was not able to escape the slide, carried an estimated 1,800 feet, sustaining fatal injuries in the process." To read more, click here.

--This is interesting. The day skiing died: Inside the historic day coronavirus forced Colorado’s ski industry to shutter.

--Vail is being sued for not providing the product that they promised as a result of coronavirus. While Ikon Pass holders are getting a deal. They will be able to roll their pass into the next season if things are still being impacted by COVID-19.

--Teton Gravity Research is reporting that, "on Sunday, the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) used snow to build barricades preventing access to parking lots at the popular easy access backcountry skiing destination." To read more, click here.

--Out There Colorado is reporting that, "A backcountry skier made a lucky escape after getting caught in an avalanche on Friday morning in the Highland Bowl at Aspen Highlands Ski Resort in Colorado." To read more, click here.

Notes from All Over:

--Climbing magazine is reporting that, "Malcom Daly, a longtime climber and influential member of the community, suffered a stroke yesterday. He is now stable, but in intensive care.  According to a GoFundMe campaign launched by Daly's family, 'Malcolm sustained another stroke yesterday afternoon. The quick response of Karen, the Hailey emergency department, and the Flight for Life helicopter were all instrumental in him getting immediate, and life saving medical services. He is currently in stable condition in Boise, Idaho and starting the recovery process.'" To read more, click here.

--There is some discussion of reopening the National Parks on May 22nd. To read more, click here. But in late breaking news, the Trump Administration says that this could happen earlier.

--Patagonia has reopened their website operations. To read more, click here.

--Leave No Trace has done some work on understanding outdoor recreation during the COVID-19 crisis. Their research can be found here.

--Mt. Everest will have 5G next year.

--A small ski resort near San Bernardino has reopened.