American Alpine Institute - Climbing Blog: Climbing and Outdoor News from Here and Abroad

Northwest:

--Out There Colorado is asking a question about Washington. "A 300-acre ski area located in the state of Washington has announced that they'll be offering a 'lifetime pass' option, which likely has slopesport enthusiasts curious if the move could inspire a greater trend around the country. Loup Loup Ski Bowl, which is located about 125 miles northeast of Seattle, has priced their new 'lifetime passes' at $6,000 a piece, available to 'anyone and everyone and [...] good as long as there is a Loup Loup Ski Bowl.'" To read more, click here.

Sierra:

--The Mountain High Ski Resort was able to limit damage from the Bridge Fire by using its snowmaking guns to keep things wet. To read about it, click here.

Desert Southwest:

--3 News is reporting that, "A Las Vegas woman is dead after she was struck by a car while walking on Red Rock Canyon Road last week, according to state authorities. The crash was reported around 7:28 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 10, on State Route 159 at mile marker 9, Nevada State Police said in a news release. That location is near the entrance to the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area." To read more, click here.

--Outside is reporting that, "Gand Canyon National Park has endured a steady stream of fatalities since the busy season began in June. Two visitors have died in the past week, bringing the park’s current death toll to 16 in 2024. These deaths have generated a glut of coverage by mainstream news outlets, with The New York Times, Washington Post, and even NBC Nightly News covering the fatalities. The steady march of stories and reports about dead hikers, fatal falls, and accidents on rafting trips have raised public awareness of the risks associated with adventuring in the national park. It’s left many of us wondering: has something changed down there?" To read more, click here.

Colorado and Utah:

The Delicate Arch near Moab.

--Outside is reporting that, "Politicians in Utah have a long history of trying to sell off your public land to benefit the oil, gas, and other extractive industries that fund their campaigns. This time they’re trying to do it with a lawsuit designed to go straight to the Supreme Court. That lawsuit argues that all Bureau of Land Management acres within the state’s borders should be transferred to Utah’s control." To read more, click here.

Notes from All Over:

--GearJunkie is reporting that, "It’s been a long time since outdoor advocacy has seen a coalition like this. More than 75 leaders in outdoor recreation will descend on Capitol Hill this week to convince U.S. lawmakers that the industry deserves more money and protection. Foremost among the group’s objectives will be shoring up support for the EXPLORE Act, which advocates call the 'first big package to deal with outdoor recreation on federal lands.'" To read more, click here.

--UnOfficial Networks is reporting that, "this week, CSC Generation Enterprise (CSC) announced that it has acquired Backcountry.com. This includes names owned under the Backcountry brand, including MotoSport, Competitive Cyclist, and Steep and Cheap. Backcountry also has nine brick-and-mortar locations. It was sold by TSG Consumer Partners, which bought Backcountry for $350 million in 2015." To read more, click here.

--A lot of people are getting sick on a trail in Hawaii. From Gear Junkie: "A rare norovirus outbreak has resulted in an extended closure of one of Kaua‘i‘s most popular hiking trails. The Department of Health (DOH) and the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) Division of State Parks are actively investigating the incident on Kalalau Trail. Earlier this month, numerous campers in the Kalalau Section of the Nāpali Coast State Wilderness Park experienced vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach cramps. Witnesses told Yahoo News that the symptoms were severe and consistent among everyone and that it “went from zero to 100 within minutes from the onset.” On September 5, the DOH reported that test results confirmed it was norovirus." To read more, click here.

--And finally, here's a note from pro climber Sasha DiGiulian, Protect Our Winters and an endorsement in the upcoming presidential election: