Climbing and Outdoor News from Here and Abroad - 10/28/21

Northwest:

Two words: Bomb Cyclone.

Sierra:

--Outside is reporting that, "on October 21, 2021, the Mariposa County Sheriff’s Office announced its long-awaited conclusions about what had killed an active, outdoorsy family and their dog on a hiking trail in California’s Sierra National Forest on August 15. They determined that the family died of “hyperthermia and probable dehydration” on a day when temperatures hit 109 degrees. The cause of death of Oski, an eight-year-old Aussie-Akita mix, remains undetermined. Based on a veterinary examination of the dog’s remains and other evidence on the scene, Sheriff Jeremy Briese said Oski probably also died of heat-related issues." To read more, click here.

--Snowbrains is reporting that, "As the Caldor Fire tore through Sierra-at-Tahoe, CA, last month, we feared the worst––one of our favorite resorts was being razed to the ground. Thankfully, that didn’t happen, and due to heroic work by firefighters and the use of snowguns to dampen the area, Sierra-at-Tahoe survived. But that doesn’t mean there wasn’t any damage. The resort, who are working round the clock to prepare for the upcoming season, offered an update on what terrain won’t open next season, which lifts were affected, and when opening day might be." To read more, click here.

--Alex Honnold's mom just climbed El Cap at the age of 70, becoming the oldest woman to do so. To read more, click here.

Colorado and Utah:

--The New York Post and others are reporting that, "a hiker lost on a mountain in Colorado ignored repeated calls from rescuers — later explaining that they had been unfamiliar with the phone number, authorities said. The person was reported missing after they didn’t return from an expedition Oct. 18 on Mount Elbert, the highest peak in the state, Lake County Search and Rescue said." To read more, click here.

--The Salt Lake Tribune is reporting that, "Search and rescue crews led two climbers to safety early Saturday morning after they were stranded overnight in the Gate Buttress area of Little Cottonwood Canyon, Unified Police Department officials said. The climbers, a 26-year-old man and a 24-year-old woman, had ascended to the top of The Thumb climbing feature around 2 p.m. Friday, but headed in the wrong direction as they repelled down and became stuck on a ledge after running out of rope, UPD detective Kevin Mallory said." To read more, click here.

--The Colorado Sun is reporting that, "Sweetwater Lake - The newest federal land in Colorado will become the state’s 43rd state park in a first-of-its-kind partnership between the state and the U.S. Forest Service. What started as an effort to protect 488 acres surrounding Sweetwater Lake above the Colorado River from private development on Wednesday became the country’s first state park on Forest Service land." To read more, click here.

--Snowbrains is reporting that, "With ski season rapidly approaching, resorts are planning out the essential resources to make this ski season like no other. Unfortunately, Colorado ski resorts are facing an unexpected scarcity of employees. As thousands of positions remain unfilled, resorts are becoming frantic to hire employees in time for ski season." To read more, click here.

--Ski is reporting that, "Colorado’s Aspen Snowmass released its Covid-related guidelines for the coming season, including some vaccine requirements for close-contact, indoor spaces." To read more, click here.

--Snowbrains is reporting that, "Former pro-skier David Lesh has been found guilty of illegally riding a snowmobile at a terrain park in closed Keystone Resort on April 24, 2020, and undertaking an unauthorized commercial venture on national forestland. Lesh’s own social media pictures played a part in the conviction." To read more, click here.

--CBS Denver is reporting that, "it’s been another record year when it comes to call volume for the Summit County Rescue Group, a trend that’s showing no signs of slowing down. Last year, the SCRG handled 185 calls and so far this year it’s been 193. The increasing call volume is one of the the reasons the group was selected for a new pilot program to help them deal with the mental toll the load can create. 'This is a program that’s aimed at creating awareness and bringing processes to rescuers to help them recognize stress injuries, prevent it, mitigate it and have good processes available for the individual rescuer,' said Aaron Parmet, Medical Officer for Summit County Rescue Group." To read more, click here.

Notes from All Over:

--A Russian boxer fought and killed a bear after it killed his friend. According to The Hill: "The boxer, who has participated in national championships, shot the animal four times. The bear managed to swipe the firearm away and attack the Russian fighter, but in the end, Medvedev stabbed the bear to death." To read more, click here.

--KTVH is reporting that, "The Helena Fire Department rescued a stranded climber Monday morning on Mount Helena and a hiker on Mount Ascension. Around 10:00 AM, Helena Fire received a report of an individual stranded cliff side on Mount Helena. Upon arrival, crews found a climber with no rope or harness approximately 150 feet off the ground." To read more, click here.

--The Hill is reporting that, "President Biden has nominated Martha Williams to lead the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) after she informally serving in the role since the start of the Biden administration. Williams was previously the director of the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks and has also previously served in the Interior Department during the Obama administration." To read more, click here.

--The Outside Business Journal is reporting that, "Guthook Guides announced it has rebranded as FarOut to better reflect the company’s current business model and plans for future growth. The company’s Bikepacking Guides app will also be consolidated in the FarOut app." To read more, click here.