Thursday, November 9, 2023

Climbing and Outdoor News from Here and Abroad - 11/9/2023

Northwest:

--The Wenatchee World is reporting that, "The federal government’s plan to reintroduce grizzly bears into the North Cascades has received backlash from an Eastern Washington congressman. U.S. Rep. Dan Newhouse, R-Yakima, in an opinion piece called the Biden administration’s plan to add the bears to an area without a grizzly sighting in more than a quarter-century 'reckless' and described public comment efforts as a 'façade.'" To read more, click here. It should be noted that AAI's position is that grizzly reintroduction can be done in a responsible and reasonable manner.

Smith Rock State Park in Oregon

--Climbing published an editorial last week entitled, "The Place Where Murder and Climbing Meet: Musings on the state of our sport after a failed mass shooting at the Smith Rock Craggin' Classic." The piece touches on both the current state of our larger world, as well as the state of our sport. The author doesn't draw many conclusions, but there's value in thinking about -- even if you disagree -- some of the things he brings up. To read the piece, click here.

Desert Southwest:

--The Daily Press is reporting that, "Human skeletal remains were found in a remote area of Twentynine Palms, according to authorities. On Saturday morning, Morongo Basin sheriff’s deputies headed to Canyon and Two Mile roads, just north of Joshua Tree National Park." To read more, click here.

--A 92-year-old man completed the Rim-to-Rim hike at the Grand Canyon. To read more, click here.

Colorado and Utah:

--Fox 21 is reporting that, "A suspect and an officer fell approximately 30 feet into Red Rocks Canyon after a struggle, according to the Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD). CSPD said around 1 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 27, an officer contacted a wanted person on a trail in Red Rocks Canyon, and the person struggled with the officer as the officer was attempting to take the person into custody." This area is not to be confused with Red Rock Canyon in Las Vegas. To read more, click here.

--Gear Junkie is reporting that, "for decades, the precipitous trail through Hey Joe Canyon offered Moab off roaders an iconic experience of the area’s world-famous rock formations. But now it’s one of many classic trails closed to motorized recreation by federal officials. While some environmental groups laud the closures, opponents say they make access more difficult for everyone." To read more, click here.

--SnowBrains is reporting that, "Human-triggered and natural avalanches aren’t the only kinds of slides backcountry travelers need to be aware of.The Colorado Avalanche Center shared an Instagram post on Sunday showing what appears to be the remnants of a large avalanche that was triggered by an animal in the Colorado Rockies. According to the CAIC, an avalanche report was submitted by a hunter who saw a lone pair of deer tracks entering into a slide path of an R2/D2-sized avalanche on a northeast aspect at about 11,500 feet near Redstone. The tracks did not come out the other side." To read more, click here.

Notes from All Over:

--In addition to the Smith Rock mass shooting threat, there was another lesser reported threat in the climbing community. From Climbing: "On Sunday, October 22, Touchstone’s Hollywood Boulders management were made aware that a member of the gym had suggested, in threatening text messages sent to an unnamed acquaintance, that they were 'strapped' with a weapon and 'wanted scalps.' The member went on to write 'god has spoken' to him and that he 'already has a kill order.' The recipient of the messages was then directed to 'avoid the gym for a while.'" To read more, click here.

--SnowBrains is reporting that, "Jackson Hole Mountain Resort (JHMR) announced today that it will host its first-ever Ski In Jeans Day on Saturday, Dec. 9, in an attempt to break the world record for most people skiing and riding in jeans. JHMR will offer $25 lift tickets throughout the day to all guests, as well as $25 performance equipment rentals, $100 off group lessons, and live music to kick off the season and celebrate the most famous pants in the West. The previous world record for most skiers and riders in jeans was set at the The Remarkables Ski Area in New Zealand earlier this year, with 102 total visitors on the slopes wearing denim." To read more, click here.


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