Climbing and Outdoor News from Here and Abroad - 7/28/22

Northwest:

--Anchorage Daily News is reporting on the death of two wildland firefighters last week: "Both pilots of a firefighting helicopter that crashed in Idaho have died, the U.S. Forest Service said on Friday. Mary Cernicek with the Salmon-Challis National Forest said Thomas Hayes, 41, of Post Falls, Idaho, and Jared Bird, 36, of Anchorage, Alaska, died from injuries they sustained when their CH-47D Series “Chinook” crashed in the Salmon River about 3:30 p.m. Thursday." To read more, click here.

--SnowBrains is reporting that, "Two people were shot dead at Whistler Mountain Resort, BC, yesterday afternoon. RCMP has arrested a number of suspects. The incident happened behind the Sundial and Pan Pacific Hotels near Skier’s Plaza, close to the base of Whistler Mountain. Police were called to the scene at 12:20 pm and arrived to find one man deceased and another in distress. Efforts were unsuccessfully made to preserve the man’s life and he died later in hospital." To read more, click here.

--Raptor climbing closures in Leavenworth for Bridge Creek Wall and Noontime/Midnight rocks have been lifted.

--Gripped is reporting that, "Lakit Lake in B.C. is a popular crag near the town of Cranbrook. There are fun moderate routes and steep climbs up to 5.13. The East Kootenay Climbing Association (EKCA) has issued a notice that some routes have been decommissioned to protect areas of archeological importance." To read more, click here.

Sierra:

--Huffpost is reporting that, "The U.S. Forest Service announced Friday it’s taking emergency action to save giant sequoias by speeding up projects that could start within weeks to clear underbrush to protect the world’s largest trees from the increasing threat of wildfires. The move to bypass some environmental review could cut years off the normal approval process required to cut smaller trees in national forests and use intentionally lit low-intensity fires to reduce dense brush that has helped fuel raging wildfires that have killed up to 20% of all large sequoias over the past two years." To read more, click here.

--SnowBrains is reporting that, "after several years of continued work by residents, local organizations, and local companies, including support from the Olympic Valley Firewise Community members, Friends of Squaw Valley, Palisades Tahoe, and the Resort at Squaw Creek, funding has been awarded for fire fuel reduction in Olympic Valley." To read more, click here.

--A climbing musician performed on the side of the cliff on a portaledge for an NPR Tiny Desk Concert. These are impromptu musical interludes that artists submit to the radio. Check out a video on her concert below:

Colorado and Utah:

--A climber appears to have survived a 100-foot fall while climbing on Eldorado Canyon State Park's Red Garden Wall. The condition of the climber following a rescue has not been reported. To read about this incident, click here.

Notes from All Over:

--Three climbers have died this week in Montana's Glacier National Park in two separate incidences. To read more, click here.

--Outside is reporting that, "three people were killed in a shooting Friday morning at Maquoketa Caves State Park in Iowa, and the alleged gunman appears to have shot himself to death, state officials say." To read more, click here.

--US News and World Report is reporting that, "Brooke Merrell has been named superintendent of Denali National Park and Preserve in Alaska and is the first woman in that role in the 105-year history of the park, the National Park Service announced Thursday. Merrell has been acting superintendent for the past nine months, the agency said in a statement. She had held prior roles with the park service and has been deputy superintendent at Denali since January 2021." To read more, click here.

--Snowbrains is reporting that, "the entire management team at Gunstock Mountain Resort, NH, quit on Wednesday night at the Gunstock Area Commission meeting, walking out in protest of the potential privatization of New Hampshire’s only county-owned ski area." To read more, click here.

--Jackson Hole News and Guide is reporting that, "Search and rescue backers are trying to raise $6.6 million in private donations to buy and outfit a helicopter that would ensure year-round access for such SAR while asking the county to commit public dollars to monthly operational costs. If approved, Teton County would be the only county in Wyoming with a dedicated helicopter." To read more, click here.

--Snowbrains is reporting that, "this winter could see some supply disruption for ski and snowboard retailers. This does not just have to do with the lingering supply chain problems caused by the pandemic. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is also a significant factor.It is estimated that half of all the skis manufactured yearly are made in western Ukraine. Most of them are produced in a 50-acre facility owned by Fischer Sports in Mukachevo.  Additionally, the facility makes nearly 60% of all skis and snowboards sold in Europe. When the Russia/Ukraine conflict officially started on February 24, 2022, the factory shut down. It was closed for nearly a month and a half before re-opening." To read more, click here.

--Climbing is reporting that, "Carolina Climbers’ Coalition (CCC) and Access Fund are pleased to announce the purchase and protection of the Maibauer Boulders in North Carolina. The purchase secures 32 acres of hardwood forests topped with a compact cluster of high-quality granite boulders within the Brushy Mountains. In an area of the state without many climbing destinations, the Maibauer Boulders will provide sustainable recreation access and conservation value for generations to come." To read more, click here.