Climbing and Outdoor News from Here and Abroad - 11/26/2020

Happy Thanksgiving!

As it is Thanksgiving weekend, we can expect large crowds at major desert crags and other areas that haven't cooled down too much. Please respect each state's COVID-19 protocols and try to avoid being too close to those who are not in your "climbing trip pod."

Many ski areas are also open early this year. You may need to make reservations to park or to ski. Check with your local resort for more information...and be sure to follow resort COVID protocols...

Northwest:

--The Squamish Chief is reporting that, "Squamish Search and Rescue — along with rescuers across the province — are gearing up for what’s anticipated to be an unusually busy winter. With COVID-19 numbers climbing and B.C. issuing partial lockdown almost two weeks ago, many are bracing themselves for limited indoor entertainment options this season. As a result, rescue crews around the province are expecting many people to continue venturing outside and into the backcountry, creating the possibility of a deluge of rescue calls." To read more, click here.

Most Pacific Northwest ski resorts have opened prior to Thanksgiving. 
Photo taken in the Mt. Baker Ski Area on November 21st.

Sierra:

--It's not super common for snow to fall in Yosemite, while there are still fall leaves on the trees. Check out these beautiful photos of "snowliage."

--Climbing is reporting that, "On Monday, November 16, Jordan Cannon completed a free, in-a-day ascent of Golden Gate on El Capitan in Yosemite National Park, California. Cannon's ascent was the route's fifth of its kind. Before him Tommy Caldwell, Alex Honnold, Brad Gobright, and Emily Harrington each freed the route in a day. Harringon's ascent, the route's fourth, just this month on November 4." To read more, click here.

Desert Southwest:

--KTNV Las Vegas is reporting that, "Monday marks 30-years to the day since Red Rock Canyon was designated as Nevada’s first National Conservation Area." To read more, click here.

Colorado and Utah:

Somebody left this ugly thing in the Utah desert and a lot of people on line think it's cool.

The concern is that whomever put this here will feel empowered to leave more trash in the desert.

Photo by Utah Highway Patrol.

--The New York Times is reporting that, "At the base of a barren slot canyon in Utah’s Red Rock Country, a team that was counting bighorn sheep by helicopter spotted something odd and landed to take a closer look. It was not a sheep. It was a three-sided metal monolith, about 10 to 12 feet tall, planted firmly in the ground with no clear sign of where it came from or why it was there. The Utah Department of Public Safety, revealing its existence to the wider world on Monday, said the team found the 'unusual object' last week in southeastern Utah, during a survey with the state wildlife agency." To read more, click here.

Notes from All Over:

--The Adventure Blog is reporting that, "The mountaineering community marked the passing of an era late last week. On Friday, November 20 pioneering adventure and travel writer Jan Morris passed away at the age of 94 after leading a life that included adventure, groundbreaking writing, and pushing the envelope in terms of gender roles. She also happened to be the last remaining member of the 1953 British Everest expedition, which was the first to actually find success on the world’s tallest peak." To read more, click here.

--Berkeleyside is reporting that, "Dave Altman, a longtime Berkeley climber who had been called the 'Mayor of Indian Rock,' died early Tuesday morning after his SUV caught fire in the Berkeley Ironworks climbing gym parking lot where he lived on Potter Street. Described by Ironworks in 2012 as a “living legend” who could “do pull-ups with just his finger tips hanging from bolts,” Altman and his friend and climbing partner Ray Jardine made a name for themselves in the Bay Area rock climbing scene with their numerous early ascents in Yosemite National Park in the 1970s." To read more, click here.

--Dr. Hamish MacInnes, often referred to as Scotland's greatest climber of all time, recently died at the age of 90. Explorer's Web notes that his "notable climbs include the first British ascent of the Bonatti Pillar (sadly destroyed by a 2005 rockslide) on Aiguille du Dru in the Alps, the first ascent of the imposing prow of Mount Roraima, deep in the Guyana jungle, and four expeditions to Everest." To read more, click here.

The cover of Powder's final issue.

--Powder magazine has ceased operations. Check out the editor's final note to readers. 

--Climbing is reporting that, "a survey conducted by the Climbing Wall Association (CWA) of over 100 gyms shows that one-third of gym owners are not worried about going out of business, one-third are unsure of whether or not they are in imminent danger, and the remaining third believe that they will go out of business within the next several months to a year." To read more, click here.

--Canada's Rogers Pass has a new permit system for backcountry skiers. These are to keep people away from avalanche mitigation areas above the highway or train tracks. Failure to carry a valid winter permit in a restricted zone can result in a fine of up to $25,000. Learn more, here.

Fifty-percent of proceeds from sales of this chalk bag go to the 

global children's empowerment charity, Right to Play.

--Pro climber, Sasha DeGiulian recently designed a new chalk bag. There's nothing special about that...but what is special is that 50% of proceeds from chalk bag sales will go to Right to Play, a organization that focuses on protecting children around the globe. To purchase a bag, click here.

--Climbing is reporting that, "the Climbing Resource Access Group of Vermont (CRAG-VT) and Access Fund recorded a permanent easement this month to strengthen conservation and recreation protections at Bolton Dome, while simultaneously forging agreements with local indigenous groups to allow access to the land." To read more, click here.