American Alpine Institute - Climbing Blog: Climbing and Outdoor News from Here and Abroad

Northwest:

--Gripped is reporting that, "the Washington climbing community is mourning the death of Michal Rynkiewicz, a route developer and leading local Index climber, after an accident at the Index Town Walls. While the details of what happened haven’t been released, Rynkiewicz’s death on Oct. 20 was due to what assistant chief of operations at Sun Valley Fire, Ernie Walters, said was 'equipment failure.' Walters added that Rynkiewicz was an avid rock climber who was working toward becoming an EMT." To read more, click here.

--OPB is reporting that, "A 39-year-old rock climber is facing a slate of attempted murder charges over an alleged plot to kill random people at a Smith Rock climbing event this weekend. The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office arrested Samson Zebturiah Garner on Thursday and took him to the county jail on several charges each of attempted murder of multiple victims, attempted first degree assault, attempted second degree assault and unlawful use of a weapon." To read more, click here.

Sierra:

--It's possible that a recent fatality on Mt.Whitney's Mountaineers Route was the result of lingering snow and ice from the big Sierra snow season.

--The AAC is reporting that, "On August 2, 2023, the American Alpine Club entered into a General Agreement with the Yosemite National Park Service with the goal of supporting and promoting climbing in Yosemite Valley. This new formalized partnership is built upon a strong foundation of working together for decades—including on projects like the Yosemite Big Wall Permitting Program, Climber Coffee, sponsoring Yosemite Facelift, and the United in Yosemite festival. This opportunity will allow the AAC to assist the climbing management program at YNPS with public outreach, offer subject matter expertise on climbing stewardship matters, and identify other projects and services which could benefit the Park and climbing community—building on the long established and well-loved climbing iniatives that will continue to exist in the Park." To read more, click here.

Desert Southwest:

--Mt. Charleston, a popular hiking, skiing, snowshoeing and climbing area near Las Vegas, had significant damage following a major storm two months ago. Roads and trails were seriously damaged. However, there are some things reopening. Read about it, here.

--The Sedona Red Rock News is reporting on camping in Arizona: "Over the last 30 years, as demand for camping within the 1,821,495-acre Coconino National Forest has increased, more of it has been closed to camping. Within the Red Rock Ranger District, camping is now prohibited on 15% of its total area." To read more, click here.

Colorado and Utah:

--Fox News is reporting that, "A climber in Utah was saved after he slipped down a cliff face and got his knee stuck in a crack for 12 hours on Friday night, officials said. The male climber, who was not publicly identified, became stuck around 8 p.m. on the Generic Crack climbing route in Indian Creek, San Juan County Search and Rescue said." To read more, click here.

--Out There Colorado is reporting that, "Perhaps one of the most impressive endurance feats that's taken place in Colorado history, Erin Ton's self-supported summer push to climb 57 'public lands' 14,000-foot Centennial State peaks between July 16 and July 30 set a record that will be hard for anyone else to top. Roughly three months after she successfully completed her push, Ton's record has now been officially confirmed and published by reputable record-tracking website 'Fastest Known Time' in a category of its own as of mid-October." To read more, click here.

--Patrollers at Eldora Ski Resort are in the process of unionizing. To read more, click here. (Paywall)

Notes from All Over: