Climbing and Outdoor News from Here and Abroad - 11/24/22

Thanksgiving Update:

As most of you know, this is often the busiest long weekend of the year in places like Smith Rock, Red Rock, Joshua Tree and Indian Creek. If you intend to visit one of these places, make sure that you have a back-up plan for camping. In addition to that, it's good to have backup plans for any popular routes that you intend to climb.

Northwest:

--Mt. Bachelor is moving to heat its base area with biofuel. They will use locally sourced wood chips to heat their buildings. Theoretically this will decrease greenhouse gasses. They state that this will lead to "150,000 gallons in propane savings and 1,000 tons fewer CO2 emissions annually." To read more, click here.

--So a mountain biker rode down the descent route for the Apron in Squamish. On his way down he passed a free soloist and a base jumper passed him. Check out the video, here.

--Gripped is reporting that, "Danny O’Farrell and Steve Janes have made the first ascent of Great Balls of Fire, a 420-metre WI4 at the Top Gun area near Lillooet, B.C. It’s one of the province’s longest ice climbs that is this less than an hour approach from the road." To read more, click here.

A winter sunset in the Little Lakes Valley in the Eastern Sierra.

--The Sierra Wave is reporting that, "Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center will be holding its annual Season Kickoff Event and Fundraiser on Saturday, December 3, 2022. The ESAC Kickoff is a two part event, with free daytime avalanche workshops in Mammoth and the evening kickoff event and party in Bishop! The evening Kickoff event features a presentation by Jeremy Jones, a world renowned big mountain snowboarder, environmentalist, climate change activist, and entrepreneur!" To read more, click here.

Desert Southwest:

--Z107.7 News is reporting that, "Joshua Tree National Park asked for public comment regarding changes to back country permitting in July, and has received 28 responses to the proposals. Superintendent David Smith and park management have said that they are currently reviewing and responding to these public comments as they finalize their decision about the changes." To read more, click here.

--The Hill is reporting that, "a popular camping spot in Grand Canyon National Park has been renamed, making it just the latest federally-managed space to undergo rebranding. It isn’t the last, either. After a unanimous vote by the U.S. Board of Geographic Names earlier this month, the Indian Garden campground has been renamed Havasupai Gardens. The vote came after the Havasupai Tribe formally requested the National Park Service change the campground’s name." To read more, click here.

Colorado and Utah:

--The Salt Lake Tribune is reporting on the death of a canyoneering guide. "A 21-year-old woman died Saturday in a climbing accident at Morning Glory Arch near Moab, according to the Grand County Sheriff’s Office." This canyoneering objective is referred to as the Medieval Chamber and has a couple of 100-foot rappels. It's not clear what happened that led to this accident. To read more, click here. 

--Unofficial Networks has published an article on cost estimates for riding the gondola in Little Cottonwood Canyon: "One expert estimates it could cost as much as $200 per rider if UDOT is attempting to turn a profit. Another expert believes the fare could be as low as $14/day as long as UDOT implements as $25-$35 toll for vehicles. Other estimates included in the report ranged around $100 per rider." To read more, click here.

--The Colorado Sun is reporting that the name of a mountain that used to honor a governor that approved a Native American massacre has been changed: "The Colorado Geographic Naming Advisory Board moved to make an official recommendation to Colorado Gov. Jared Polis to change the name of Mount Evans to Mount Blue Sky.  The unanimous decision by the board came during the Nov. 17 meeting where all suggested names were considered.  The suggested names included Mount Soule, Mount Rosalie, Mount Sisty, Mount Cheyenne-Arapaho and Mount Evans." To read more, click here.

--Snowbrains is reporting that, "Park City Mountain Resort lift mechanics & electricians yesterday voted 35-6 to unionize with the United Professional Ski Patrols of America, CWA 7781. The vote comes after a months-long organizing effort and signifies the first ski resort lift maintenance department in the country to unionize. They have organized as the Park City Lift Maintenance Professional Union." To read more, click here.

Notes from All Over:

--The Skier Responsibility Code has gone from seven points to ten. Check out what has been added.

--Climbing is reporting that, "Access Fund, in partnership with the American Alpine Club, has awarded $15,000 in anchor replacement grants to nine local climbing organizations." To read more, click here.

--Snowbrains is reporting that, "students in a Fort Lewis College (Durango, CO) marketing research course have developed a survey exploring how snowsliders view safety messaging while on the mountain. They are interested in finding out how much safety signage impacts people while out on the slopes." To read more, click here.