Climbing and Outdoor News from Here and Abroad - 6/10/21

Northwest:

--NewsRadio 560 is reporting that, "One climber died while another was rescued May 30th on Dragontail Peak southwest of Leavenworth. Chelan County Sheriff’s Office Chief Jason Reinfeld said they received a call around 4:45 pm from the International Emergency Response Center that a Garmin beacon notification indicated a climber had taken a big fall on the serpentine route." To read more, click here.

--A climber was bit by a rattlesnake while climbing at the Matrix in Mazama. It appears that the individual will make a full recovery, but it's good to note that there are a lot of snakes in the area and it's good to keep your eyes open.

--There have been several closures at the Newhalem Crags. Ryan's Wall has been closed in the spring because of raptors nesting high above. Space Wall has been closed pending Park Service (NPS) review, and Canoehalem has just been closed.

--From a post in Skaha Bluffs Collective: "STOLEN GEAR - JUNE 8: We were climbing at Diamondback and left our gear on Sidewinder 5.10c. 6 x quick draws, double length dyneema sling, 3 x locking binders and 1 x nonlocking biner. When we came back later the gear was gone. Please let me know if you have any details that can help with getting the gear back. May give reward as well for any tips." 

Sierra:

El Capitan at Sunset

Photo: Krista Eytchison

--Climbing is reporting that, "Taking advantage of cool, clear conditions in Yosemite in May, two teams made major ascents on El Capitan. Kristoffer Wickstrom and Brandon Adams established the Neptune (VI 5.10 A4) on the Southeast Face, where they followed discontinuous beak seams and crisscrossed nearby lines on 1,100 feet of new terrain. Meanwhile, Amity Warme and Tyler Karow—without previewing—swapped leads up the difficult free climb Golden Gate (VI 5.13a) on Southwest Face over five and a half days." To read more, click here.

Desert Southwest:

--Climbing is reporting that, "Responding to Joshua Tree’s heavy use, park management is creating a new Climbing Management Plan (CMP)—the first public comment period closes June 13 so there isn’t a moment to lose for giving your input." To read more, click here.

Colorado and Utah:

--The Denver Post is reporting that, "Officials in Utah closed areas of Zion National Park on Sunday as rescue crews searched for a climber who went missing a day earlier. Park officials said the search was taking place in The Narrows — an imposing gorge carved by the Virgin River that has rock walls a thousand feet tall and is one of the park’s most popular destinations." To read more, click here.

--The Denver Post is reporting that, "Two climbers were seriously injured Saturday when they were struck by a big rock dislodged by another climber in Clear Creek Canyon. The accident occurred when a rock grabbed a climber on a hillside broke free and fell, hitting two women standing on a ledge. Golden Fire Department Capt. Ben Moline said the rock was roughly the size of a person." To read more, click here.

--From Climbing: "Access Fund is pleased to announce that—with significant assistance from the climbing community—the Town of Estes Park, Colorado has just purchased and permanently protected a portion of Prospect Mountain, home to the iconic granite climbing on the Thumb and Needle spires. These public lands will now be preserved in perpetuity as Thumb Open Space." To read more, click here.

Alaska:

--Read AAI's dispatches from Denali, here.

Notes from All Over:

--Being a Ranger - National Parks, Forest Service, BLM - is one of the most dangerous law enforcement jobs out there. Listen to this piece on NPR.

--The US Department of the Interior is reporting that, "in celebration of National Trails Day on June 5, Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland announced 10 new national recreation trails in eight states, adding more than 160 miles to the National Trails System. The newly designated trails join a network of more than 1,300 existing national recreation trails, which can be found in every U.S. state." To read more, click here.

--It looks like there are a lot of unfilled positions in the National Parks...

--Camelbak is recalling one of their bottle models due to a piece that can come off and choke the user. To read more, click here.