Climbing and Outdoor News from Here and Abroad - 4/25/24

Northwest:

--Sadly, another American guide died this last week on the Icefall Traverse in British Columbia. Rob Coppolillo was well-known in the Pacific Northwest Guide Community and was a friend to many here at AAI. He and his family are in our thoughts. A Go-Fund-Me has been set-up to help his family.

--SourceOne is reporting that, "in a recent release by Travel Lemming, an innovative online travel guide, Washington State emerged as a key player in the national parks arena. As part of the celebrations for National Parks Week, the guide announced its latest rankings, placing two of Washington's own among the top five in the country." To read more, click here.

--Outdoor Sportswire is reporting that, "Arc’teryx Equipment, the global design company specializing in technical high-performance apparel and equipment, is pleased to announce ambitious new science-based climate targets – including the brand’s first ever Net Zero goal – as it takes another step in its ongoing commitment to sustainability." To read more, click here.

Desert Southwest:

--The Daily Press is reporting that, "U.S. Rep. Raul Ruiz M.D. and Sen. Alex Padilla (both D-Calif.) on Tuesday introduced bills to designate Chuckwalla National Monument and expand Joshua Tree National Park under the Antiquities Act." To read more, click here.

Colorado and Utah:

--Outdoor Sportswire is reporting that, "A member-led collective and the outdoor industry’s catalyst for meaningful change, Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) today announced its lineup of education sessions and connection opportunities at the Outdoor Retailer Summer show in Salt Lake City, Utah, June 17-19, 2024. The lineup will address critical and intersectional topics including market and consumer trends, sustainability, advocacy, and participation." To read more, click here.

--Alta has a one-room schoolhouse, and the New York Times just put out an article about it.

Notes from All Over:

--The Climbing Business Journal is reporting that, "The North Face has unveiled the official sport climbing competition uniforms to be worn by athletes from the U.S., Japan, South Korea and Austria in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games." To read an article about this and to see photos, click here.

--There's a new campaign to get trail running into the Olympics. 

--The first paragraph in this article from Ski says it all: "Call it Vail math: Skier visits were down this past winter, but lift ticket revenue went up after a mediocre snow year. How exactly does that work? Exactly as Vail Resorts planned, that’s how." To read the piece, click here.

Upcoming AAI Programs:

Mountaineering in Ecuador
Kilimanjaro Expedition
Alpine Mountaineering and Technical Leadership
Alpinism I: Introduction to Mountaineering
Glacier Skills and Crevasse Rescue
Mt. Baker Skills and Climb
Mt. Shuksan Skills and Climb
Mt. Whitney Skills and Climb
Alpine Rock Climbing

Climbing and Outdoor News from Here and Abroad - 4/18/24

Northwest:

Colorado and Utah:

--SnowBrains is reporting on an accident last week: "A young local skier died on Tuesday while attempting to jump over US HWY 40, also known as Berthoud Pass. According to reports by the Grand County Sheriff’s Office, the site of the fatal accident was between Henderson Mine Road and Robbers Roost, approximately six miles east of Winter Park, Colorado." To read more, click here.

Notes from All Over:

--Outside is reporting on a miscarriage of justice: "on February 29, Daniel, Wyoming resident Cody Roberts allegedly ran a juvenile wolf down with his snowmobile, taped its mouth shut, transported it to the town’s Green River Bar, posed for photos with the animal, then either beat or shot it to death, depending on which version of the report you read. State wildlife officials received a tip about the incident, and later fined Roberts $250 for a misdemeanor violation of Wyoming’s prohibition against possession of live wildlife. No other charges or penalties have been brought against him. As of April 10, however, the Sublette County Sheriff’s Office announced that they—along with the Sublette County Attorney’s office—are now investigating Roberts." To read more, click here.

--Alaska Public Media is reporting that, "This week, Belgian climber Jelle Veyt is on the final leg of a journey to Denali that has brought him more than 15,000 miles. Unlike the hundreds of climbers who fly to base camp each year, Veyt will be traveling to the Kahiltna Glacier on skis. In fact, his entire trip to Alaska has been accomplished by a combination of human and sail power." To read more, click here.

Upcoming AAI Programs:

Mountaineering in Ecuador

Kilimanjaro Expedition
Alpine Mountaineering and Technical Leadership
Alpinism I: Introduction to Mountaineering
Glacier Skills and Crevasse Rescue
Mt. Baker Skills and Climb
Mt. Shuksan Skills and Climb
Mt. Whitney Skills and Climb
Alpine Rock Climbing

Climbing and Outdoor News from Here and Abroad - 4/11/24

Northwest:

--KGW8 is reporting that, "42-year-old Roscoe "Rocky" Shorey from Washougal was found dead at the bottom of Mount St. Helens crater last Saturday. It was assumed that Shorey had not survived the 1,200-foot fall, but rescuers trying to piece together what happened say otherwise. The men who recovered his body found evidence that Shorey had survived the initial fall and tried repeatedly to climb back — nearly reaching the crater's rim — before falling a final time." To read more, click here.

--The American Alpine Institute is sponsoring an Adopt-a-Crag at Mt. Erie on Saturday from 9am to noon. Support Mt. Erie and get some cool schwag! Learn more, here.

--Mt. Baker Ski Area is slated for closure on April 21st.

--Maybe some irresponsible climber behavior at Smith...?

Sierra:

--Climbing received a weird proposal from ex-Stonemasters stating that it was way harder to climb in the 70s than it is now. They are proposing an interactive "Stonemaster Climbing Experience" that includes drug use, alcohol, canvas tents, sleeping on dirty underwear, and a myriad of other things. The letter is odd and kinda funny. Read more about it, here.

Desert Southwest:

--There was a lightning caused fire in Red Rock Canyon this week. Read more.

Colorado and Utah:

--Gripped is reporting that, "earlier this month, Rocky Mountain Rescue Group shared a photo on social media saying they were 'Moonlighting as MEOWtain Rescuers!' It was after they rescued two climbers and their cat from the First Flatiron in near Boulder, Colorado." To read more, click here.

--SkiHi News is reporting that, "Jonathan Babcock was skiing with his sister, Linda Babcock, at Winter Park Resort on Feb. 9 when he says a snowboarder hit him and launched him into a tree, which caused him to break two ribs and receive a hairline fracture on his pelvis." To read more, click here.

Notes from All Over:

--Our thoughts go out to Caroline and Adam's family. From Ski Magazine: "A helicopter transporting skiers crashed in the Pennine Alps of Switzerland Tuesday morning, leaving three passengers dead and another three injured. The crash took place shortly before 9:30 a.m. near a heliski landing site on the northern face of Petit Combin, according to local news outlet SWI. The victims have been identified as 45-year-old American ski guide Adam George, helicopter pilot and father of two Jerome Lovely, and James Goff, whose nationality has yet to be verified. George, a New Hampshire native, was an established mountaineer and ski guide. He leaves behind his wife and fellow ski guide Caroline George, and their young daughter." To read more, click here.

-SGB Media is reporting that, "In a landmark bipartisan agreement, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences (EXPLORE) Act, demonstrating the momentum that members of the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR) and industry partners have in helping promote policies that expand access to outdoor recreation opportunities." To read more, click here.

--Yahoo Finance is reporting that, "Outdoor Voices was a direct-to-consumer darling once valued at $110 million—but the activewear brand has had a long fall from its glory days. Years of executive reshuffles and acquisition rumors culminated in a very public meltdown earlier this month, when the company closed all its retail locations and abruptly laid off most of its workforce. Outdoor Voices is now reportedly on the verge of bankruptcy." To read more, click here.

Upcoming AAI Programs:

Mountaineering in Ecuador

Kilimanjaro Expedition
Alpine Mountaineering and Technical Leadership
Alpinism I: Introduction to Mountaineering
Glacier Skills and Crevasse Rescue
Mt. Baker Skills and Climb
Mt. Shuksan Skills and Climb
Mt. Whitney Skills and Climb
Alpine Rock Climbing

Climbing and Outdoor News from Here and Abroad - 3/28/24

Northwest:

--KUOW and others are reporting that, "Lou Whittaker, a mountain climber, guide and identical twin to Jim Whittaker, the first American to climb Mount Everest, died this week. He was 95." Lou was one of the founders of RMI on Mt. Rainier. To read more, click here.

--The National Parks Conservation Association and others are reporting that, "the National Park Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today released the final environmental impact statement and grizzly bear reintroduction plan. Although a record of decision has yet to be signed, the agencies’ preferred alternative would restore grizzlies to their historic homelands, where they are functionally extinct. The agencies recommend a 10(j) rule that would give wildlife managers additional flexibility under the Endangered Species Act to responsibly manage bears." To read more, click here.

Sierra:

--Tragically, two brothers (18 and 21 years old) were attacked by a mountain lion east of Lake Tahoe. The older brother did not survive the attack. Read more.

--The New York Times featured an editorial by Beth Rodden last week about the changes she's seen in rock climbing and acceptance since she started her career. The piece covers both her experience as a high end climber and as a mother. Check it out.

Desert Southwest:

--Friends of Red Rock Canyon are working to deter car break-ins in the Conservation Area. Learn more.

Colorado and Utah:

--Park City is struggling with skier parking.

Notes from All Over:

--There was an inbounds avalanche at Maine's Sugarloaf Mountain over the weekend. To read about it, click here.

--Unnoffical Networks is reporting that, "Three people have sued the National Park Service for its policy not to accept cash payments at locations across the country. SFGATE reports Esther van der Werf of Ojai, California, Toby Stover of High Falls, New York, and Elizabeth Dasburg of Darien, Georgia, filed their lawsuit on March 6th after being prevented from paying in cash at various national parks, monuments and historic sites around the country. The trio cited a US code that states US currency is legal tender for all public charges. The lawsuit alleges that the park service’s cashless policy is in violation of federal law." To read more, click here.

--There's a new sign at Everest Base Camp. Some people are upset.

--It appears that the Democrats made a poor choice in expert witness testimony about climate change when they invited Olympic hopeful Gus Schumacher to testify. Schumacher struggled with some of the questions. It is our opinion that athletes that are climate activists must be fully prepared for complicated questions. To read about the hearing, click here.

Upcoming American Alpine Institute Programs:

Denali
Climbing in Red Rock Canyon
Mountaineering in Ecuador
Alpine Mountaineering and Technical Leadership
Alpinism I: Introduction to Mountaineering
Glacier Skills and Crevasse Rescue
Mt. Baker Skills and Climb
Mt. Shuksan Skills and Climb
Mt. Whitney Skills and Climb
Alpine Rock Climbing

Climbing and Outdoor News from Here and Abroad - 3/21/24

Northwest:

--The Clackamus County Sheriff is reporting that, "On Saturday, March 16, 2024, the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office managed a multi-team search and rescue mission after a climber fell near the summit of Mt. Hood. At approximately 4 p.m. Saturday, a 43-year-old woman was descending the popular South Side route on Mt. Hood when she was struck by falling ice and fell. She sustained injuries that left her unable to move." To read more, click here.

--The Columbian is reporting that, "The Washington Region 4 Technical Rescue Team saved a rock climber who fell off a rock wall and suffered a traumatic hip injury Thursday at Beacon Rock State Park, according to the Vancouver Fire Department. 'This was a really tough one. This was a once in a career rescue effort. This is why we spend hundreds of hours training for an event like this. Everyone worked well together and performed professionally and proficiently,' Vancouver Fire said in a statement. To read more, click here.

--SnowBrains is reporting that, "on Sunday, March, 17, an avalanche forecaster triggered a destructive wet slab avalanche near Dollarhide Summit in the Smoky Mountains of Idaho by throwing a snowball at a slope. It ran 1,400′ to the valley below. A forecaster discussion on the Sawtooth Avalanche Center’s website shared information about the current wet slab avalanche cycle running in both the Smokey Mountains and Sawtooth Range of Idaho." To read more, click here.

The Stawamus Chief in Squamish

--The Klahanie Campground across from Shannon Falls in Squamish is for sale. Unfortunately, it is likely that this nice little campground will become condos or a hotel. Read more.

--Dogs have to be leashed this year in Skaha.

--Cascadia Daily News is reporting that, "The Golden West Visitor Center in Stehekin, a small community known for its remote location within North Cascades National Park, will remain closed this summer due to staffing and funding shortages, the National Park Service announced on Tuesday, March 19." To read more, click here.

Sierra:

--2 News Nevada is reporting that, "A skier had to be rescued last week after skiing out of bounds on the back side of Mt. Rose Ski Resort. The skier left the resort through the Manzanita Bowl gate and had failed to turn back toward the resort before skiing past what the Washoe County Sheriff's Office Hasty Team described as the "point of no return" in a post to their Facebook page." To read more, click here.

--The Sierra Sun is reporting that, "The Placer County Sheriff’s Office describes a recent rescue by Tahoe Nordic as challenging. Windy conditions and nightfall met the team as they searched for an out-of-bounds skier." To read more, click here.

--California National Parks top the list for air polution issues. Read more.

Colorado and Utah:

--CBS News Colorado is reporting that, "a skier died after hitting a tree at Keystone Ski Resort on Thursday. The Summit County Sheriff's Office said the incident occurred on the Flying Dutchman Trail on Dercum Mountain about 9:45 a.m. March 14." To read more, click here.

--Moab's Castleton Campground is now closed indefinitely. To read more, click here.

Notes from All Over:

--Outside and many other outlets are reporting that, "pioneering mountaineer, climate advocate, and adventure filmmaker David Breashears was found deceased on Thursday, March 14 at his home in Massachusetts. He was 68 years old." To read more, click here.

--Outside was pretty cheeky about an actor's abuse of a National Park: "On Thursday March 14, a district judge in Wyoming named Stephanie A. Hambrick presided over the court case of Irish movie star Pierce Brosnan—yes, he of James Bond fame. Brosnan, 70, was accused of breaking sacrosanct rules of decorum in Yellowstone National Park during his visit there on November 1. The Park Service said that Brosnan hiked off a marked pathway while visiting the Mammoth Terraces hot springs and then snapped a selfie in front of the natural wonder—despite the presence of signs saying to stay on the trail. The authorities found out about the offense because, of course, Brosnan uploaded a cool mid-crime photo to Instagram. Yes, according to the National Park Service, 007 himself acted like a bonafide Touron of Yellowstone." To read more, click here.

American Alpine Institute News - We're Moving April 15th!

Upcoming American Alpine Institute Programs:

Denali
Climbing in Red Rock Canyon
Mountaineering in Ecuador
Alpine Mountaineering and Technical Leadership
Alpinism I: Introduction to Mountaineering
Glacier Skills and Crevasse Rescue
Mt. Baker Skills and Climb
Mt. Shuksan Skills and Climb
Mt. Whitney Skills and Climb
Alpine Rock Climbing

Climbing and Outdoor News from Here and Abroad - 3/14/24

Northwest:

--560 KPQ is reporting that, "A Leavenworth resident and forecaster for the Northwest Avalanche Center (NWAC) is dead after a climbing accident along Icicle Road late last week. Forty-year-old Matt Primomo was reportedly scaling Icicle Buttress about six miles outside Leavenworth when he suffered a fatal fall at around 8:30 p.m. on Thursday." To read more, click here.

--Out There Colorado is reporting that, "a recent skier death that took place in the Canadian Province of British Columbia involved a hazard that all slopesport enthusiasts should be aware of – a tree well. According to a report from CBC, a 76-year-old man died after falling into a tree well at Red Mountain Resort on March 5. The skier was found buried in deep snow by another resort skier, rescued by members of the resort's volunteer ski patrol, but ultimately dying shortly after the incident at a local hospital." To read more, click here.

--Gripped is reporting on an avalanche survival story: "search and rescue specialists say that a woman was buried for 20 minutes before being rescued in the North Shore mountains north of Vancouver. According to the North Shore Rescue (NSR) Facebook page, she was snowshoeing with a partner near Pump Peak on Mount Seymour when the avalanche struck and buried both of them." To read more, click here.

--The beloved Seattle mountaineering store, Pro Mountain Sports, is closing.

Desert Southwest:

--The Nevada Globe is reporting that, "A dramatic rescue unfolded Friday afternoon in Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area after a climber became lost and sustained critical injuries. According to Las Vegas Fire & Rescue (LVFR), their Technical Rescue Team was called to the scene after reports of a stranded climber on the White Rock Trail within the Red Rock Loop." In the photo attached to the article, it looks like the rescuer is rappelling down Tunnel Vision (5.7, III). To read more, click here.

Colorado and Utah:

--The Denver Gazette is reporting that, "Two rock climbers were rescued in Eldorado Canyon State Park south of Boulder on Saturday evening after becoming stuck. Boulder County rescue crews were called just before 8 p.m. by two climbers who were stuck on the top pitch of the T-2 climb located on Tower Two of the Redgarden Wall." To read more, click here.

--REI is adding a new store to Loveland.

--Townlift is reporting that, "Vail Resorts, Inc. (NYSE: MTN) released its second quarter of fiscal 2024 results on Monday. The report highlighted the company’s resilience amid unfavorable conditions, with a net income increase for the quarter to $219.3 million from $208.7 million year-over-year. Vail Resorts reports a 9.7% drop in season-to-date skier visits. The company saw a 2.6% increase in lift revenue and a 5.5% increase in ski school revenue." To read more, click here.

Notes from All Over:

--SnowBrains is reporting that, "A 19-year-old backcountry skier was killed in an avalanche in Spray Valley Provincial Park, Alberta, on Sunday, March 10. Two skiers were on a ridge crest on The Tower. Skier 1 entered the slope and skied about 300 feet (100 meters) before Skier 2 entered and triggered the slide. Skier 2 managed to grab onto a tree and escape burial. Unfortunately, Skier 1, wearing an airbag but didn’t manage to inflate it, was caught by the avalanche and buried under six feet of snow." To read more, click here.

--A 20-year-old backcountry skier died in a fall on Mt. Washington in New Hampshire on Saturday. To read more, click here.

--Gripped is reporting that, "Polish climbers Marcin Tomaszewski and Pawel Haldas have made the first ascent of Cold Wars, a 19-pitch 980-metre mixed route up the south face of Moose’s Tooth in Alaska. It climbs 250 metres of approach slopes and 730 metres up to M5 A3." To read more, click here.

Upcoming American Alpine Institute Programs and News:

New Location Open April 20th!

Denali
Climbing in Red Rock Canyon
Mountaineering in Ecuador
Alpine Mountaineering and Technical Leadership
Alpinism I: Introduction to Mountaineering
Glacier Skills and Crevasse Rescue
Mt. Baker Skills and Climb
Mt. Shuksan Skills and Climb
Mt. Whitney Skills and Climb
Alpine Rock Climbing

Climbing and Outdoor News from Here and Abroad - 3/7/24

Video Reminder:

There were two tree well deaths this week in the mountains. As such, we thought it might be a good idea to revisit this video:

Northwest:

--An off-duty firefighter died while snowboarding in a tree well on Friday near Mt. Baker Ski Area. Read more.

--A Seattle-based woman launched a business that provides bus trips to popular ski mountains. To read about it, click here.

--GoSkagit is reporting that, "Washington’s National Park Fund announced last week that it will award North Cascades National Park about $162,000 in grant funding for an array of park projects." To read more, click here.

--The National Parks Traveler is responding to the cutting of rangers in Stehekin: "A petition with nearly 800 signatures from across the country has been sent to Interior Secretary Deb Haaland asking that she direct the National Park Service to staff a remote outpost in North Cascades National Park Complex in Washington state. The petition, driven by the North Cascades Conservation Council and joined by a coalition of environmental and outdoors groups, carries with it more than 400 personal testimonials of community members from Stehekin who want rangers based there this summer." To read more, click here.

Desert Southwest:

--Alex Honnold, Las Vegas resident and most famous climber alive, has had another child with his wife Sanni McCandless. Read more, here.

Colorado and Utah:

--Gripped is reporting that, "American climber Kai Lightner has made the first ascent of Death of Villains 5.15a in the Hurricave, Utah. In November, he repeated Life of Villains 5.14d at the same crag. Lightner’s first 5.14c was Southern Smoke at age 13 and he climbed his first 5.14d with Era Vella a decade ago." To read more, click here. NOTE: AAI partner's with Kai's organization Climbing 4 Change to provide BIPOC scholarships.

Notes from All Over:

--Buckrail is reporting that, "A local man died in a skiing accident at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort (JHMR) on Friday, March 1, according to the resort. According to a statement from JHMR, a 67-year-old Jackson man was skiing through the North Woods between Rendezvous Trail and The Hobacks when he became separated from his group. The skier was part of a locals group with the JHMR Mountain Sports School." To read more, click here.

--Epic Passes for next winter are already on sale.

--Idaho Capitol Sun is reporting that, "a $40 million private donation will go toward building at least 70 new modular housing units for employees at Yellowstone National Park, the National Park Service announced Thursday. Yellowstone National Park officials said work on the units would begin later this year and that the extra money will help speed up the process of constructing more employee housing at the nation’s oldest national park, which saw its second-busiest season ever last year." To read more, click here.

Upcoming American Alpine Institute Programs:

Denali
Climbing in Red Rock Canyon
Mountaineering in Ecuador
Alpine Mountaineering and Technical Leadership
Alpinism I: Introduction to Mountaineering
Glacier Skills and Crevasse Rescue
Mt. Baker Skills and Climb
Mt. Shuksan Skills and Climb
Mt. Whitney Skills and Climb
Alpine Rock Climbing

Climbing and Outdoor News from Here and Abroad - 1/29/24

Northwest:

--Unofficial Networks is reporting that, "on the morning of February 21, 2024, the quiet slopes of Avalanche Gulch on Mount Shasta revealed the aftermath of a tremendous force of nature—a very large (D4) natural avalanche. This awe-inspiring event unfolded during the heart of a powerful winter storm that had blanketed the region in a thick layer of snow from February 17th, relentlessly depositing nearly constant precipitation over four days." To read more, click here.

Colorado and Utah:

--Hometown Weekly is reporting that, "Emergency crews rescued an injured climber who fell from a rock face Sunday morning in Eldorado Canyon. According to Mountain View Fire Rescue’s Facebook post, crews responded around 10:41 a.m. to Eldorado State Park to help a climber who fell from a rock face." To read more, click here.

--CPCW is reporting that, "a woman skiing backcountry terrain west of the Park City ridgeline had to be flown to the hospital after being caught in an avalanche." To read more, click here.

--SnowBrains is reporting that, "a snowboarder had a shocking last run of the day when he was cruising near Brighton Ski Resort, Utah. Loren Richardson was going down a narrow pathway on his snowboard when he happened upon an older man brandishing a shotgun, threatening to 'put holes' into him, if he traveled down that pathway again." To read the story, click here. To see the video, click here.

Notes from All Over:

--SnowBrains is reporting that, "A skier died on Friday evening, February 23, at The Highlands at Harbor Springs Resort, Michigan, following an accident in expert terrain." To read more, click here.

--The New York Almanack is reporting that, "On Tuesday, February 20th at about 1:20 pm, Ray Brook Dispatch received a call to assist an ice climber who fell while climbing Pitchoff Mountain in the Adirondacks." To read more, click here.

--RV Pro is reporting that, "Kampgrounds of America (KOA)’s latest monthly report showed a significant uptick in travel bookings for the 2024 season, particularly among Gen Z campers. The report indicates the continuing trend of integrating road trips with camping, noting a 10% higher preference for road trips over traditional camping activities. This preference highlights a broader enthusiasm for exploration and adventure, with 59% of campers favoring road trips and 49% opting for stationary camping." To read more, click here.

--The Whitefish Ski Resort is joining a number of others with a patroller unionization effort. To read more, click here.

--The National Parks just released a press release on visitation: "The National Park Service announced that 400 national parks reported a total of 325.5 million recreation visits in 2023, an increase of 13 million or 4% over 2022. In addition to the continued growth in overall numbers, NPS data shows that visitation is increasing in the more traditional off-seasons at many parks, with more visits in the spring and fall than seen in years past. And 20 parks—many of them less well-known—broke visitation records in 2023." To read more, click here.

Upcoming American Alpine Institute Programs:

Denali
Climbing in Red Rock Canyon
Mountaineering in Ecuador
Alpine Mountaineering and Technical Leadership
Alpinism I: Introduction to Mountaineering
Glacier Skills and Crevasse Rescue
Mt. Baker Skills and Climb
Mt. Shuksan Skills and Climb
Mt. Whitney Skills and Climb
Alpine Rock Climbing

Climbing and Outdoor News from Here and Abroad - 2/22/24

Sierra:

--It looks like there will be a film about Warren "Batso" Harding's life. He was on the first team to scale Yosemite's El Capitan.

Colorado and Utah:

--Western Slope Now is reporting that, " A man was rescued after falling over 120 feet while rock climbing in Whitewater on Saturday. MCSO deputies, MCSO Search and Rescue volunteers, Gateway Fire Department, CareFlight and the BLM responded to the scene of the fall in Whitewater, Colorado." To read more, click here.

--Summit Daily is reporting that, "A female skier is dead following “an incident” on the Double Dip trail at Loveland Ski Area on Friday, Feb. 16, around 1:20 p.m. The ski area said in a statement that ski patrol was in the area and responded immediately before the skier was pronounced dead at the scene, according to statements provided to Summit Daily News." To read more, click here.

--SnowBrains is reporting that, "A snowboarder’s quick thinking saved him from a potentially deadly encounter with a mountain lion while riding near Beaver Mountain, Utah, on Sunday, February 5. Charlie Duffy recounted his experience in an Instagram post, describing how he noticed fresh paw prints in the snow before spotting the mountain lion just a few feet behind him. Acting on instinct, Duffy swung his snowboard with full force at the predator, managing to fend it off." To read more, click here.

Notes from All Over:

--East Idaho News is reporting that, "a Colorado man died while skiing at Grand Targhee on Saturday after he fell in a tree well and became trapped. Teton County Coroner Brent Blue identified the man as 67-year-old William Douglas England of Lakewood, Colorado." To read more, click here.

--Climbing is reporting that, "Ahead of the 2024 season, the International Federation of Sport Climbing has released a policy to prevent eating disorders among competition climbers. The policy, developed by scientific experts based on the findings of an International Olympic Committee, marks the first time any international federation has taken an active step to limit the pervasiveness of Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport. Ultimately, it will require athletes to submit to several questionnaires and tests before competing." To read more, click here.

Upcoming American Alpine Institute Programs:

Denali
Climbing in Red Rock Canyon
Mountaineering in Ecuador
Alpine Mountaineering and Technical Leadership
Alpinism I: Introduction to Mountaineering
Glacier Skills and Crevasse Rescue
Mt. Baker Skills and Climb
Mt. Shuksan Skills and Climb
Mt. Whitney Skills and Climb
Alpine Rock Climbing

Climbing and Outdoor News from Here and Abroad - 2/15/24

Northwest:

--The low snowpack in the PNW this year could have an impact on both hydropower and drinking water. Read more.

Sierra:

--NBC News is reporting that, "A professional rock climber known in the California climbing community was convicted Tuesday of sexually assaulting a woman in Yosemite National Park in 2016, federal prosecutors said. A jury convicted Charles Barrett, 38, of two counts of aggravated sexual abuse and one count of abusive sexual contact, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of California said." To read more, click here.

--Gripped is reporting on rockfall closures in Yosemite: "Travel along the popular trail between Happy Isles and the Vernal Fall Footbridge is closed 'until further notice,' park officials have announced. Park authorities said, 'Hikers should follow posted detour signs from the Happy Isles shuttle stop (No. 16) to the stock trail behind the Happy Isles Art & Nature Center.'" To read more, click here.

Desert Southwest:

--KSNV is reporting that, "The Bureau of Land Management announced on Thursday that a new $41 million investment from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will go toward ecosystem restoration. Part of that funding will go toward the Lost Creek boardwalk in Red Rock Canyon." To read more, click here.

Colorado and Utah:

--KSL is reporting that, "A man who was critically injured after he skied off a cliff Monday in backcountry terrain near Snowbasin Resort has died. The resort's ski patrol responded to a report of an unresponsive guest and, upon investigation, discovered the skier had left resort boundaries to access out-of-bound terrain, a statement from Snowbasin Resort says. While in the 'extreme' backcountry terrain, the skier had an accident and re-entered resort boundaries, Snowbasin said." To read more, click here.

--Aspen Times is reporting that, "A backcountry skier was caught, buried, and killed in an avalanche near Crested Butte on Saturday, Feb. 10, according to a preliminary report from the Colorado Avalanche Information Center." To read more, click here.

--SnowBrains is reporting that, "a solo skier was caught, carried, partially buried, and injured in an avalanche in Little Cottonwood Canyon on Sunday, February 11, that threw him 1,500 feet over cliffs in terrain that would almost certainly be dubbed as ‘unsurvivable’. Another ski tourer in a nearby party put himself in harm’s way to go rescue the injured skier, where then a rescue helicopter was dispatched." To read more, click here.

--Ski is reporting that, "Whether you know it or not, when you purchase a season pass or a lift ticket at a ski resort in the United States, you’re entering into a legal contract that essentially releases the ski area from responsibility in all but the most negligent of accidents. A case heading to Colorado’s highest court next week will attempt to hold one of the state’s resorts liable for what it says was a very preventable outcome that left a teenager paralyzed from the waist down." To read more, click here.

--A parcel of private land was recently sold to a private land trust on the edge of Zion National Park, making the Park bigger. Read more.

--SnowBrains is reporting that, "Snowboarder Jake Canter, 20, has been suspended by the U.S. National Team after being arrested on domestic abuse charges. The arrest happened last month during the Winter X Games held in Aspen, Colorado." To read more, click here.

Notes from All Over:

--Adirondack Explorer is reporting on an individual that died of cardiac arrest: "Well-regarded ice climber Jay W. Harrison of Thurman, dubbed the “mayor of Crane Mountain,” died earlier this month in the area of the Warren County peak, which he conquered numerous times." To read more, click here.

--A speed climber forgot to clip into his autobelay and took a fifty-foot fall. The climber is expected to make a full recovery. Read more.

--Candide Thovex dropped this insanity the other day:

--Footwear News is reporting that, "VF Corporation on Tuesday announced that it would carry out a “strategic review” of its brand portfolio, following another disappointing quarter for the shoe and apparel company. Now insiders are speculating that Timberland could be a likely contender for divestiture." To read more, click here.

--The Daily is reporting that, "in Q4 of 2023, sales of the Sorel brand declined 19% to $116 million. Columbia Sportswear Co. CEO Tim Boyle said shifting consumer trends coupled with weather impacted demand and led to the weak sell through." To read more, click here.

--Outdoor Sportswire is reporting that, "the Winter Sports Sustainability Network (WSN), managed by Peak 63 and the Federation of the European Sporting Goods Industry (FESI), in collaboration with Snowsports Industries America (SIA) are proud to announce the establishment of a transformative Climate Pact, bringing together prominent ski, snowboard, binding, and boot brands from Europe and the United States in a unified commitment to accelerate climate action within the winter sports industry." To read more, click here.

Upcoming American Alpine Institute Programs:

Denali
Climbing in Red Rock Canyon
Mountaineering in Ecuador
Alpine Mountaineering and Technical Leadership
Alpinism I: Introduction to Mountaineering
Glacier Skills and Crevasse Rescue
Mt. Baker Skills and Climb
Mt. Shuksan Skills and Climb
Mt. Whitney Skills and Climb
Alpine Rock Climbing

Climbing and Outdoor News from Here and Abroad - 2/8/24

Northwest:

--AAI Guide Eli Spitulnik has created a new variation on two lines on Colfax Peak on Mt. Baker. His line is a combination of Kimchi Suicide Volcano and the Polish Route. The new line goes at WI4+/M5. To see an instagram post about the adventure, click here. Another report can be found, here.

The Dorado Needle in North Cascades National Park.

--Yahoo is reporting that, "Backcountry permit fees are changing at North Cascades National Park this year. Park officials announced in a news release Monday that backcountry camping permits will go from a per permit fee to a per person fee, and that the price is going down. Beginning in March, summer season backcountry permits will cost $10 per person plus a $6 permit fee. Previously, the permits cost $20 apiece." To read more, click here.

--Ski is reporting on a new potential ski resort in British Columbia: "A proposal for a brand-new ski resort outside of Vancouver is the latest one to catch skiers’ attention. The Spuzzum First Nation people announced plans last week to build an 815-skiable-acre resort with a 2,300-foot vertical drop and 11 lifts at full buildout. The South Anderson Resort would have a four-season base village with around 12,000 beds in hotels, condos, houses, an RV park, dining, retail, and 1,200 units of employee housing. The Spuzzum people hope to build and operate the resort to provide career opportunities for its members, and that’s primarily what sets it apart." To read more, click here.

Sierra:

--Here's a report and video from an avalanche near Truckee. 

Desert Southwest:

--SnowBrains is reporting that, "Lee Canyon Ski Area, just outside Las Vegas, Nevada, will remain closed on Tuesday and potentially Wednesday following an inbounds avalanche on Monday afternoon. Initial fears were that four people were missing, but fortunately, the swift action of Lee Canyon’s ski patrol and mountain operations teams ensured all individuals were quickly located and accounted for. One person needed assistance. That person, who was skiing with another person, was released after being treated at the scene." To read more, click here.

Colorado and Utah:

--The Colorado Sun is reporting that, "52-year-old Miami man died Thursday after a “serious incident” on an intermediate trail at Breckenridge Ski Resort. Ski patrol found the man on the resort’s Peak 8 and brought him to a first aid room, resort spokeswoman Sara Lococo said." To read more, click here.

--SnowBrains is reporting that, "after 27 years of ownership, Dream Unlimited Corp. has announced that it will sell Arapahoe Basin Ski Area, Colorado, to Alterra Mountain Company. The deal is expected to close later in 2024, adding Arapahoe Basin to Alterra’s portfolio of destinations in Colorado." To read more, click here.

Notes from All Over:

--Alaska's News Source is reporting that, "a European man heli-skiing in the Chugach Mountains has died from his injuries after being pushed into a band of rocks." To read more, click here.

--SnowBrains is reporting that, "On Sunday afternoon, February 4, Grand Teton National Park (GTNP), Wyoming, rangers requested helicopter assistance from Teton County Search & Rescue (TCSAR) to respond to an injured skier on Prospectors Mountain inside the park. The skier, a 29-year-old local woman, along with four men, were near the top of the Banana Couloir at 10,800 feet when they triggered and were caught by an avalanche. Three in the group were able to self-arrest, while one of the men was carried 500 feet, and the woman was carried by the snow slide approximately 1,500 vertical feet. Neither skier was fully buried; however, the woman sustained serious injuries." To read more, click here.

--So this crazy thing as skied this week at Jackson Hole:

--Gripped is reporting that, "the Ice Climbing World Championships will be held in Edmonton, Alberta, from Feb. 16 to 18, 2024. The event will take place in the city’s downtown close to the Edmonton Oilers hockey arena." To read more, click here.

--RV Pro is reporting that, "The new KOA AI Chatbot is designed to meet and exceed the rapidly evolving expectations of today’s campers and travelers, it said. According to the company’s June KOA Monthly Report, 32% of campers report already using AI for trip planning, with an additional 22% planning to utilize it in the future. In alignment with these trends, KOA’s robust AI Chatbot uses years of camping content, location information and data to be the industry’s most intuitive holistic camping technology." To read more, click here.

--And speaking of RVs. It might be a good time to buy one as RV sales "normalize." 

--Columbia is seeing a drop in sales too.

Upcoming American Alpine Institute Programs:

Denali
Climbing in Red Rock Canyon
Mountaineering in Ecuador
Alpine Mountaineering and Technical Leadership
Alpinism I: Introduction to Mountaineering
Glacier Skills and Crevasse Rescue
Mt. Baker Skills and Climb
Mt. Shuksan Skills and Climb
Mt. Whitney Skills and Climb
Alpine Rock Climbing

Climbing and Outdoor News from Here and Abroad - 2/1/24

Northwest:

--SnowBrains is reporting that, "The helicopter crash from Monday, January 22, 2024, in British Columbia has claimed a fourth victim, as one of the four injured succumbed to his injuries. The fourth victim was identified as 35-year-old Lewis Ainsworth from New Zealand. Ainsworth was an experienced heli-ski guide and President of the New Zealand Mountain Guides Association and accredited by the International Federation of Mountain Guides Associations. Ainsworth is survived by his partner, his 10-year-old daughter, and his parents. In a statement, Ainsworth’s family said they were heartbroken by his death. The family thanked those who had been involved in the search and rescue operation and Ainsworth’s medical care over the past week." To read more, click here.

--SnowBrains is reporting that, "On Sunday, January 28, two inbounds avalanches were triggered at Washington state ski resorts. One at Mission Ridge and the other at Stevens Pass." More info can be found, here.

Sierra:

--A knife-wielding man was shot and killed by a police officer after a car chase at Palisades Tahoe last week. To read more, click here.

--A missing woman wasn't actually missing. She had been directed to download on a gondola at Heavenly, only for them to turn off the service. She spent 15-hours in the gondola, while she was reported missing to the Sheriff's department. To read about it, click here.

Desert Southwest:

--Fox 11 is reporting that, "Authorities discovered human skeletal remains near a hiking trail in Joshua Tree on Jan. 25. Park staff said they were led to the remains when park researchers found an unattended backpack along the trail near the Black Rock Area of the park." To read more, click here.

--Here's a disconcerting report coming out of Arizona: "Reports of deceased animals and strange wildlife behavior has Saguaro National Park concerned that rabies may be a possible cause. The park urges visitors who have physical contact with an animal to notify park staff and seek medical attention immediately.   Park staff recently discovered several deceased foxes and have received reports of abnormal animal behavior in foxes and racoons, as well as one reported incident of a bobcat biting a visitor. No carcasses have yet been recovered for testing to determine the cause of illness in these animals." To read more, click here.

Colorado and Utah:

--The Aspen Times is reporting that, "At 11:26 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 27, according to an Aspen Skiing Company press release, a 22-year-old female skier collided with a tree on the Exhibition run at Aspen Highlands." To read more, click here.

--Townlift is reporting that, "On Sunday, Jan. 28, three skiers approached Gobbler’s South Summit from the north. After reaching the summit and skiing down, one skier was caught, carried and partially buried by a 2-4 foot deep, hard slab avalanche that spanned 500 feet wide and 2,000 feet long. The skier involved in the avalanche is reported to be in okay condition following the incident." To read more, click here.

--KUTV is reporting that, "A satellite distress call from a canyoneering group in a remote slot canyon in Garfield County resulted in the Department of Public Safety Aero Bureau hoisting out two people. The call was made on Friday afternoon (1/19/24) to local emergency dispatch. After determining the importance of response time and difficulty, rather than deploying the Garfield County Sheriff's Office ropes rescue team, they called DPS for a hoist." To read more, click here.

--SnowBrains is reporting that, "back in August of last year, Deer Valley Resort announced a monumental expansion that will add 3,700 acres of terrain and 16 new lifts to its world-renowned, ski-only destination located in the Wasatch Mountains in Park City, Utah. This was part of acquiring and integrating the up-and-coming Mayflower Resort into its current operations. The complete project will unfold over the next three seasons, with a significant portion of the new lifts and trails set to open as early as the 2025/26 winter season." To read more, click here.

--Would a "fast pass" to lifts for those who use a bus to access ski resorts in Utah decrease vehicle traffic? One letter to the editor in the Salt Lake Tribune argues for this common sense move. To read the editorial, click here.

Notes from All Over:

--Gripped is reporting that, "32-year-old man died after a backcountry skiing accident on the north face of Mount Temple near Lake Louise in Banff National Park. According to the RCMP, the man was from Saskatchewan and in a group of three." To read more, click here.

--Footwear News is reporting that, "REI is the latest company to announce significant workforce reductions this year. CEO Eric Artz notified employees in a Jan. 25 letter that the outdoor retailer would lay off 357 people across its organization, including 200 corporate employees at its Sumner, Wash. headquarters and 121 in its distribution centers." To read more, click here.

--USA Climbing is opening a training center in Salt Lake City. Local climbing gyms where competitions and training for the organization has historically taken place, are not pleased. To be clear, the article actually says that they are "pissed." To read more, click here.

--Gripped is reporting that ice climbers appear to be falling more throughout North America, and that this is leading to more rescues. Read about it, here.

--The Daily is reporting that, "Outdoor products company Yeti announced Wednesday that it has acquired emerging pack brand Mystery Ranch. Terms of the deal were not disclosed." To read more, click here.

Upcoming American Alpine Institute Programs:

Denali
Climbing in Red Rock Canyon
Mountaineering in Ecuador
Alpine Mountaineering and Technical Leadership

Alpinism I: Introduction to Mountaineering

Glacier Skills and Crevasse Rescue

Mt. Baker Skills and Climb

Mt. Shuksan Skills and Climb

Mt. Whitney Skills and Climb

Alpine Rock Climbing

Climbing and Outdoor News from Here and Abroad - 1/25/24

Northwest:

--Pique News Magazine is reporting on a fatality at Whistler. It is not clear how the individual died. To read the piece, click here.

Early morning on Mt. Rainier

--Cascadia Daily News is reporting that, "Many visitors to Mount Rainier National Park will need reservations this summer to enter some of the park’s most popular areas. From May 24 through Labor Day, most visitors entering the Nisqually and Stevens Canyon entrances between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m. will need to make an online or phone reservation ahead of time. Reservations will also be required at the White River entrance to the Sunrise corridor via state Route 410 from July 3 through Labor Day." To read more, click here.

--There's a new WI 6+ in Squamish. Read about it, here.

Desert Southwest:

--Fox 10 and others are reporting that, "Officials with the Coconino County Sheriff's Office say an investigation is underway following a deadly incident at Arizona Snowbowl. According to a statement, CCSO responded to the ski resort at around 10:56 a.m. on Jan. 22, following a report of a tree strike incident that left a person seriously injured. By the time deputies arrived at the scene, the skier was already declared dead." To read more, click here.

Colorado and Utah:

--The Durango Herald News is reporting that, "A 67-year-old doctor and longtime resident of Ophir died Monday in an avalanche near his hometown, which is nestled in the San Juan Mountains south of Telluride. The San Miguel County Sheriff’s Office identified the person as Peter Harrelson, who for years worked as a family physician, according to multiple websites." To read more, click here.

--Gripped is reporting on the winners of this year's Ouray Ice Festival: "The 29th annual Ouray Ice Festival just took place in Colorado’s small mountain town of Ouray with a record number of donations. The event ran for four days and included clinics, presentations and one of the biggest ice climbing competitions in the world." To read more, click here. And here's a photo compilation of the event!

Notes from All Over:

--Out There Colorado is reporting on an accident at Jackson Hole. "Wyoming's Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center took to social media to recount a scary incident that took place at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort on January 20 and it's one that slopegoers around the world, including those in Colorado, can learn from. The post covered a recent incident in which a skier ducked a rope at Jackson Hole, entering closed terrain. This closed terrain was particularly dangerous, located at about 7,500 feet of elevation and featuring a lot of fresh powder stacked on a layer of weak and rotten snow measured at only about a foot deep two weeks prior. As those with experience in reading snow will know, this type of layering can be a recipe for disaster, as the lower, weaker layer can be prone to breaking at the weight of the fresh snow, resulting in an avalanche." To read more, click here.

--USA Today is reporting that, "First responders in Vermont rescued 23 skiers and snowboarders from the backcountry after they were reported missing amid a blast of arctic air that dropped temperatures into the single digits, authorities said." To read more, click here.

--Vail resorts is reporting that, "to-date skier visits were down 16.2% compared to the prior year season-to-date period." To read more, click here.

Upcoming American Alpine Institute Programs:

Denali
Climbing in Red Rock Canyon
Mountaineering in Ecuador
Winter Mountaineering and Ice Climbing in the Sierra
Winter Mountaineering and Ice Climbing in Ouray
Avalanche Programs in Washington