Climbing and Outdoor News from Here and Abroad - 9/24/2020

Northwest:

--KOIN 6  is reporting that, "a climber was airlifted from Lewis and Clark State Park (near Portland) Sunday afternoon after he fell roughly 40 feet, according to the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office." To read more, click here.

--Gripped is reporting that, "across Canada, route developers and guidebook authors have been working to identify rock and ice climb names that their local communities have deemed racist, sexist or just simply offensive. The most recent example is in Squamish, where the new Squamish Select guidebook has published updates that include new route names for some old climbs." To read more, click here.

--There is an attempt amongst the members of the Canadian outdoor coop, MEC, to stop an investment firm from taking over the company. To read about it, click here. 

--This is a cool article about North Cascade mountain scenery used in films.

--A couple got married while climbing at Mt. Erie recently. Here are some photos from the day, including wedding dress ascents...

Sierra:

--Last week, Yosemite closed due to air quality. MyMotherLode is now reporting that, "While Yosemite National Park remains closed due to poor air quality, many of the major roads traveling through it are back open. They include El Portal, Wawona, Big Oak Flat and Tioga roads. Glacier Point and Mariposa Grove roads remain closed. All lodging, restaurants, campgrounds and visitor centers are also closed. Visitors should be prepared to drive through the park without stopping. It is prohibited to hike, cycle, camp and rock climb." To read more, click here. UPDATE: The park should reopen on Friday.

--The Cal Fire website is probably the best resource to watch when it comes to wildfires in California. It provides daily updates on the different fires.

Desert Southwest:

--There may have been some kind of climbing incident in Red Rock Canyon on Wednesday, but there is limited information. It might have been this very short report about a broken ankle on Frigid Air Buttress.

Colorado and Utah:

--A climber was rescued from Eldorado Canyon State Park near Boulder after breaking his leg on the Bastille Crack. For more information, click here.

--The Colorado Sun is reporting that, "as ski resorts announce plans to manage crowds, avalanche equipment sales are soaring, leaving search and rescue teams and land managers bracing for record crowds exploring snowy mountains." To read more, click here.

--The Aspen Times is reporting that, "a part-time Colorado resident with a history of ignoring backcountry rules may be temporarily banned from U.S. Forest Service land, a law enforcement official said Monday. The U.S. District Attorney’s Office in Grand Junction will ask that David Lesh, 34, 'be restrained from going on Forest Service lands' for the duration of the federal case filed against him last week that alleges illegal activities at Keystone Ski Area and Hanging Lake outside Glenwood Springs, said Peter Hautzinger, assistant U.S. attorney." To read more, click here.

Notes from All Over:

--The Concord Monitor is reporting that, "A Massachusetts climber died when a tumbling boulder severed his rope, causing him to fall 150 feet while climbing on Cannon Cliff in Franconia Notch State Park, conservation officers said." To read more, click here.

--The election is coming soon, and this may be the most important one of our lifetimes. Certainly, the future of our public lands and our climate are both on the ballot. Protect Our Winters has created an excellent tool to help you #MakeADamnPlan to vote. Check it out.

--Snews is reporting that, "Robert W. "Bob" Gore, the inventor of Gore-Tex and longtime CEO of W.L. Gore & Associates, passed away at his home in Earleville, Maryland, on September 17. The cause of death was not disclosed. He was 83." To read more, click here.

--So officials at Khao Yai National Park in Thailand were a bit sick of the litter problem brought on by thoughtless tourists. As a result, they picked up the litter and mailed it to the tourists. This is a tactic that should be employed in North America. To read more, click here.

--Outdoor Sportswire is reporting that, "the Outdoor Economy Conference, the nation’s premier event for those looking to grow the outdoor industry in their own regions, is thrilled to return for its third year, this time with an all-new virtual format. Split into five creatively crafted half- virtual workshops, the 2020 Outdoor Economy Conference will take place every Thursday in October from noon-4 p.m. EST." To read more, click here.

--Somebody hung a black bearskin over the sign for Great Smoky Mountains National Park, with a cardboard sign saying, "from here to the lake, black lives don't matter." According to the Charlotte Observer, "a reward of up to $5,000 is offered for tips 'leading to the identification, arrest, and conviction of those responsible.'"  To read more, click here.