Climbing and Outdoor News from Here and Abroad - 9/28/23

Northwest:

--Climbing is reporting that, "On September 17th, a 25-year-old male climber from Alabama, whose name has not yet been released, was killed after sustaining a 130-foot fall while descending with his partners from Goat Wall, in Mazama, Washington." To read more, click here.

--Burn bans have been lifted in North Cascades National Park. To read more, click here.

--Climbing is reporting that, "Seattle’s Vertical World and Colorado-based manufacturer C3, which produces Perfect Descent auto belays, have settled in a lawsuit following a severe climbing accident that occurred on August 1, 2019. The climber, Michael Vandivere, sustained a 30-foot fall and subsequently suffered a number of severe injuries, including 12 pelvic fractures, a traumatic brain injury, lung injuries, bladder laceration, and other fractures. C3 Manufacturing has agreed to pay $5 million and Vertical World will pay an additional $1 million." To read more, click here.

--Some access thoughts concerning fall climbing in Skaha Bluffs. 

Sierra:

--SnowBrains is reporting that, "It is with a heavy heart and immense respect for Dr. Robb Gaffney—a local legend in the Lake Tahoe skiing community, author of the revered book ‘Squallywood,’ and co-creator of the beloved game of G.N.A.R.—that we share the terrible news of his passing." To read more, click here.

--A party was struck by lightning on Half Dome. To read about it, click here. Please note that you should never look for shelter in a small cave during a lightning storm. The lightning current can travel through the rock, and through you.

Mt. Whitney

--An old aid route on Mt. Whitney has gone free at 5.13. To read about it, click here.

Desert Southwest:

--The Center of Biological Diversity is reporting that, "The Center for Biological Diversity joined local Tribes, businesses, communities and conservation groups today to urge President Biden to establish Chuckwalla National Monument and expand Joshua Tree National Park in Southern California. The proposal would create a 660,000-acre national monument and add 17,000 acres to Joshua Tree National Park, both located in eastern Riverside County. The stunning Chuckwalla Mountains and adjacent Mecca Hills are rich in biological diversity and home to desert tortoises, kit foxes, golden eagles and the proposed monument’s namesake chuckwallas." To read more, click here.

Notes from All Over:

--News 9 is reporting that, "According to U.S. Fish & Wildlife Services, around 12 p.m. on Friday, Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge Staff, Indiahoma Volunteer Fire Department, Cache Fire Department, Lawton Fire Department, Comanche Nation Fire Department, and Fort Sill Fire Department responded to the report of a climber who had suffered a fall near the Narrows Trail." To read more, click here.

--The Daily is reporting that, "Dick’s Sporting Goods is closing 11 of 14 of its Moosejaw stores just six months after acquiring the outdoor retailer from Walmart. The stores are scheduled to close in February 2024, including Moosejaw’s headquarters in Madison Heights, Michigan, the Detroit Free Press reported. The move is part of Dick’s strategy to focus its outdoor business around its Public Lands stores." To read more, click here.

--Gripped is reporting that, "Anticipation is a new 13-pitch 400-metre M6+ WI3 on Grotto Mountain above the town of Canmore in the Bow Valley. Given its location and safely protected pitches, this is sure to become a classic. Nick Baggaley and Greg Barrett established the route over several trips and completed it earlier this summer. It’s found at the back of The Sanctuary, a large canyon where the drytool crags The Playground and Alcatraz are found." To read more, click here.

--The National Parks Conservation Association has published a piece on what will happen if the government shuts down on October 1.