Climbing and Outdoor News from Here and Abroad - 12/16/21

Northwest:

--SnowBrains is reporting that, "a 66-year-old man was killed and five others buried after an avalanche struck their party just outside Crystal Mountain Resort, WA. A foot of snow had fallen on the area in the previous 24-hours, and wind gusts were as high as 100-mph." To read more, click here.

--Snowbrains is reporting that, "Professional skier Karl Fostvedt was skiing with his buddy ‘Harlan’ at Sun Valley, Idaho when he a deer popped out in front of him on a run causing him to hit and kill it. Harlan said he 'heard the deer’s neck snap as they collided.' Harlan was miraculously unhurt and proceeded to ski the deer off the mountain by carrying it on his shoulders as he skied down to the base." To read more and to watch a video, click here.

--CBC is reporting that, "a Victoria-based climber has decided to resign from the national climbing team due to the climate impact of traveling to competitions and his ethical dilemma of representing a country with a history of Indigenous oppression. Tosh Sherkat, 23, has been climbing since he was a kid. He moved from Nelson, B.C., to Vancouver Island when he was 13 to join a professional climbing academy." To read more, click here.

 

--And finally in our PNW round-up, something a little bit lighter...um. Hitler.

Sierra:

--Snowbrains is reporting that, "It’s been three months since the Caldor Fire began, which blazed across three counties, El Dorado, Amador, and Alpine, and covered over 200,000 acres. The fire destroyed thousands of homes and structures, damaged ski areas like Sierra-at-Tahoe, and injured multiple people. After a joint investigation from The El Dorado County District Attorney’s Office, USDA Forest Service, Cal Fire, the California Department of Justice, and the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Crime Lab, the El Dorado County District Attorney has announced the arrest of the suspected arsons." To read more, click here.

--In more depressing news, the Sierra snowpack could be gone within 50-years. To read about it, click here.

Desert Southwest:

--The US Department of the Interior is reporting that, "National Park Service special agents with the Investigative Services Branch are working to identify potential female victims of surreptitious recordings taken in bathroom facilities in the backcountry of Grand Canyon National Park. In September 2020, park visitors at Phantom Ranch reported that they believed a maintenance worker had recorded them while using a toilet. The individual was subsequently fired and removed from the park.  For the past year, agents have been working to identify the scope of the suspect’s activity. At this time, there is no indication that these images were shared or distributed by the suspect. This remains an active and open criminal matter. At the same time, the Department is conducting an internal review." To read more, click here.

--There is a move afoot to make Spirit Mountain and Christmas Tree Pass in Nevada, a new national monument. Christmas Tree Pass is home to a number of rock climbs, with rock formations similar to Joshua Tree. To read more, click here.

Colorado and Utah:

--So scientists at the University of Colorado, Boulder, would like to study people exercising while stoned. The jokes write themselves. To read more, click here.

Just outside this frame, there are dozens of people waiting to take

photos in front of the Delicate Arch in Arches National Park.

--In 2022, you're going to need a reservation to get into Arches National Park. To read more, click here.

--SnowBrains is reporting that, "Little Cottonwood Canyon, near Salt Lake City, Utah, has had a growing traffic problem become increasingly apparent in recent years. The latest poll provides insight into the local Utahns’ opinions on improvements. Suggested realistic alternatives have been narrowed down to two primary options: a gondola through the canyon and an improved bus transportation system. Only 20% of those polled chose the gondola, while 60% said they preferred an enhanced bus infrastructure. High costs for the two proposals are a deterrent for many, with the gondola construction costing an estimated $592 million and the bus system costing upwards of $510 million." To read more, click here.

Notes from All Over:

--The Outside Business Journal is reporting that, "Patagonia has won the U.S. Department of State’s Award for Corporate Excellence (ACE) in climate innovation, the company announced yesterday. The Department of State awards six ACEs annually to U.S. companies operating internationally, focusing on those that show leadership and 'whose operating practices and decision-making exemplify American values and international best practices,' according to a release. Patagonia was recognized for its conservation work in its namesake region of Patagonia in Argentina and Chile through its support of former Patagonia CEO and current board member Kristine Tompkins’ Tompkins Conservation." To read more, click here.

--Nevada Current is reporting that, "the Bureau of Land Management Tuesday announced plans to relocate senior leadership positions from its former Grand Junction, Colo., national headquarters back to Washington, D.C. The deputy director for operations will head back to Washington, D.C., joining BLM Director Tracy Stone-Manning and the deputy director for policy and programs, who are already based in the nation’s capital. Most assistant directors and deputy assistant directors, eight in all, will also return to D.C., along with 30 vacant senior positions. About 100 positions in total will be based in D.C." To read more, click here.