Thursday, November 21, 2024

Climbing and Outdoor News from Here and Abroad - 11/21/24

Northwest:

--The storm over the weekend and into this week dumped a lot of snow in the backcountry. As such, there were some avalanche incidents. However, all involved were able to self-rescue.

--State Route 20 (North Cascades Highway) has closed for the season due to avalanche risk. Read more.

Sierra:

--Expedition Portal is reporting that, "California has become the first state to ban the sale of single-use propane cylinders. Governor Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill 1280 into law, which mandates that all one-pound propane canisters sold in California must be refillable or reusable beginning January 1, 2028. The bill, introduced by Senator John Laird of Santa Cruz, is designed to promote sustainable outdoor recreation and alleviate the environmental impact caused by disposable propane canisters." To read more, click here.

Mt. Whitney

--SnowBrains is reporting that, "Two ill-equipped hikers were rescued from Mount Whitney, California, on November 2nd after a failed summit attempt left them exhausted and stranded on the trail. The pair, who had no prior mountaineering experience, began their ascent at 6 p.m. on Friday, carrying a staggering 150 pounds of newly purchased gear and five gallons of water." To read more, click here.

--Gripped is reporting that, "Alex Honnold is back in Yosemite to work on free-climbing The Nose, one of the most famous rock climbs in the world. While it’s regularly aid climbed at a modest aid grade, it’s only been freed a handful of times. Honnold announced on social media that he’s been projecting the cruxes of The Nose with accomplished alpinist and big wall climber Brette Harrington." To read more, click here.

Desert Southwest:

--Next week is Thanksgiving week. For many climbing areas in the southwest, it is the busiest time of the year. Please be respectful of one another, share campsites and let faster teams pass on multi-pitch routes. Also be aware that slower teams are not required to let you pass. Whomever gets to the route first has priority.

--Travel and Leisure is reporting that, "Visiting Joshua Tree National Park will soon cost more when the popular California spot raises reservation fees. Starting Dec. 1, the park will increase fees for all reservations on recreation.gov, including for campgrounds and tours. Then on Jan. 1, 2025, the National Park Service will increase the amenity fee as well as raise the fee for first-come, first-serve campgrounds, according to the National Park Service." To read more, click here.

Notes from All Over:

--Outside is reporting that, "on November 14, Jenni Lowe, president of the Alex Lowe Charitable Foundation (ALCF) and widow of climbing legend Alex Lowe, announced that the nonprofit she founded in his name will officially dissolve before the end of 2025. The nonprofit’s assets—including the iconic Khumbu Climbing Center—will go to the Juniper Fund, a Nepal-based charity helmed by celebrity mountaineers Melissa Arnot Reid and David Morton. Jenni Lowe first initiated the handoff process about a year ago." To read more, click here.

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