Climbing and Outdoor News from Here and Abroad - 6/6/2024

American Alpine Institute Denali Updates:

American Alpine Institute Team 2 made the summit. Team 3 is waiting for a chance at the summit at high camp. Team 4 is at Camp 3. And Team 5 is waiting for a weather window to fly onto the mountain. Read more about AAI's 2024 Denali Season, here. 

Northwest:

--It appears that some experienced climbers are missing near Squamish. Read more.

--Washington State Parks are looking at a proposal to cut the number of nights that campers can stay. To read about it, click here.

Sierra:

--Climbing is reporting that, "accomplished California climber and guidebook author Charles Barrett was sentenced to life in prison for the rape of a woman in Yosemite National Park. The ruling, made by U.S. District Court Judge John A. Mendez, comes after a weeklong February trial in which a jury found Barrett guilty of two counts of aggravated sexual abuse and one count of abusive sexual contact. All of the case’s proceedings were held in Sacramento." To read more, click here.

El Capitan

--Gripped is reporting that, "Alex Honnold has set a new rope-solo speed record in Yosemite that surely won’t be broken anytime soon, having climbed the 3,500-foot Salathé Wall in only 11 hours and 18 minutes." To read more, click here.

Desert Southwest:

--A fire burned approximately 113 acres of Red Rock Canyon last week. Learn more.

--The Deseret Sun is reporting that, "Joshua Tree National Park is seeking public comment on a proposal to increase camping and Key’s Ranch Tour fees, which would take effect next year." To read more, click here.

Colorado and Utah:

--Unnoffical Networks is reporting that, "Brian Head Town Council approved on Tuesday the annexation of approximately 1,799 acres for a new real estate community called Aspen Meadows. This real estate community will add hundreds of acres of new skiable terrain and multiple lifts, including a multi-stage gondola, to Brian Head Resort. Trail cutting reportedly began yesterday, but an opening date for the first phase of the ski resort expansion hasn’t been officially announced." To read more, click here.

--The NPS is reporting that, "The National Park Service has finalized a Day Use Visitor Access Plan for Rocky Mountain National Park to manage day use visitor access in a way that protects the park's resources, maintains positive visitor experiences, promotes safety, and supports the park’s ability to maintain daily operations. The plan establishes two timed entry reservation systems from late-May through mid-October, one for the Bear Lake Road Corridor and one for the rest of the park. This is similar to what the park has piloted the last three summers and is the current operational plan for this summer. The reservation systems have been successful at spreading visitor use out throughout the day and throughout the park." To read more, click here.

--Here's a rundown of what went down at the first ever Outside Festival in Colorado.

Notes from All Over:

--An independent climber died in a snow cave on Denali this week. From Alaska Public Media: "One of the two climbers trapped since Tuesday near Denali’s summit was rescued alive by a helicopter crew early Friday. The other died in a snow cave while waiting for help, according to park officials." To read more, click here.

--The New York Times is reporting on sexual harassment and assault in climbing culture. To read the piece, click here.

--Several routes on Wyoming's Devil's Tower are now closed for nesting falcons. Read more.

--A new study indicates that there's a correlation between social media use and National Parks visitation.

Upcoming American Alpine Institute 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