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