Climbing and Outdoor News from Here and Abroad - 1/11/24

Northwest:

--When the snow finally flew, people at Whistler were upset. Not at the snow, but at the lift lines. Read more, here.

Wolverines in Canada's Rogers Pass

--Cascadia Daily News is reporting that, "Wolverines — highly vulnerable to climate change — are among several species that are up for reclassification as endangered, threatened or sensitive in Washington state. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is actively seeking information from the public to inform species status reports for wolverine and island marble butterfly, as well as two types of bird: Mount Rainier white-tailed ptarmigan and burrowing owl." To read more, click here.

Sierra:

--There was an inbounds avalanche yesterday at Palisades Tahoe. This resulted in a fatality. Info will trickle out as an investigation takes place. To learn more, click here.

Colorado and Utah:

--The Denver Gazette is reporting on a friend to the Institute, Caroline Gleich. "Professional ski mountaineer and climate activist Caroline Gleich announced Monday on her Instagram account she is running for the United States Senate. The seat is currently being held by Sen. Mitt Romney, the former presidential candidate, who is vacating the seat and not looking for reelection in 2024. Gleich is looking to take the seat Romney has held since 2019." This will be a tough seat to win for a Democrat. To read more, click here.

--Summit Daily is reporting that, "The Summit County Sheriff’s Office says it has identified the snow biker involved in a hit-and-run collision on Jan. 2 that injured two visitors at Keystone Resort." To read more, click here.

--If you want to hike up Angels Landing in Zion, you need a permit obtained through a lottery. But you can walk down after climbing without one.

--Unofficial Networks reposted a tough video to watch of a person hitting a tree in A-Basin. He appears fine in the end, but it's a good reminder to wear a helmet.

--From Colorado comes the news that there is a new nonprofit, Climb Avy Aware (CAA), dedicated to avalanche safety for ice climbers. CAA’s mission is to encourage ice climbers to get educated about avalanche danger in the backcountry, and know the terrain they are climbing in. As part of that, CAA is working to rate the state's most popular climbs under the new 5-point Avalanche Terrain Exposure Scale (ATES) for Waterfall Ice Climbing. The ATES is a classification system for assessing and communicating the degree of avalanche exposure in a given area. ATES ratings allow climbers to make informed route choices and avoid avalanche danger on days when the avalanche forecast warrants extra caution. CAA is also recommending that climbers consider carrying companion rescue gear in avy terrain—and know how to use it.” You can check CAA out at www.climbavyaware.org.

For more information, please contact:

Dara Miles

Founder, Climb Avy Aware

A Colorado 501(c)(3) Nonprofit

713-410-5289

Notes from All Over:

--This video breaks down what they believe to be the ten most challenging ski resorts in North America. Check it out.

--Climbing is reporting on some controversy around USA Climbing's transgender athlete rules and regulations: "On Tuesday, September 26, 2023, USA Climbing released its Transgender Athlete Participation policy. The policy centers around testosterone restrictions for transgender females, wherein eligibility is contingent upon the athlete maintaining lower testosterone levels for at least 12 months preceding competition." Criticism is likely to result in some changes to this. Read more.

--Speaking of competition climbing, several climbers are speaking out about eating disorders. They'd like the organization that oversees Olympic climbing to do something about it. To read more, click here.

--It shouldn't be that much of a surprise, but cannabis does increase the enjoyment you may feel in a workout, but doesn't increase your performance. For 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