News Note:
This news page has been hiatus since just before Christmas. The following covers from then until now.
--CNN and many others are reporting that, "two Oregon men were found dead in a Washington state forest after they failed to return from a trip to look for Sasquatch, authorities said Saturday. The 59-year-old and 37-year-old appear to have died from exposure, the Skamania County Sheriff’s Office said via Facebook. The weather and the men’s lack of preparedness led the office to draw that conclusion, it said." To read more, click here.
--CBC News is reporting that, "Four heli-skiers and their guide had to be rescued after an avalanche buried them near Pemberton, B.C., north of Whistler on Monday, according to RCMP. Whistler RCMP said they first received reports of an avalanche at 11:30 a.m. PT in the Ipsoot Mountain area, in a backcountry ski area called 'The Meadow.'" To read more, click here.
Photo from Bellingham Mountain Rescue Council.
--The Whatcom County Sheriff's office is reporting on Bellingham Mountain Rescue and a recent SAR incident where they found a missing backcountry snowboarder. Initially the Border Patrol found the person, but could not land. They "air-dropped an overnight kit with food, water, shelter and a radio to the snowboarder, which was fortuitous as it became too dark and difficult to see to attempt a nighttime air rescue. The next morning, SAR's Bellingham Mountain Rescue began navigating the hazardous terrain - which included an avalanche risk, open creeks and waterfalls - and successfully reached the man around 5p, had him rescued and returned safely by 10p." Many AAI guides volunteer for BMR and one was involved with this rescue. Read more here.
--Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was aggressively confronted by an anti-LGBTQ protester while on a family ski trip at British Columbia's Red Mountain. Read more.
Sierra:
--SnowBrains is reporting that, "The body of Taylor Rodriguez, a 29-year-old from San Antonio, Texas, was found Saturday on Mount Whitney in California’s Sierra Nevada range. Inyo County Sheriff’s Office reported that search teams discovered Rodriguez at 12,000 feet near North Fork Lone Pine Creek Trail. Despite harsh winter conditions and inadequate preparation, Rodriguez attempted to summit Mount Whitney, the highest peak in the contiguous U.S., on December 30. He was reported missing on January 2, 2025." To read more, click here.
Sierra:
--SnowBrains is reporting that, "The body of Taylor Rodriguez, a 29-year-old from San Antonio, Texas, was found Saturday on Mount Whitney in California’s Sierra Nevada range. Inyo County Sheriff’s Office reported that search teams discovered Rodriguez at 12,000 feet near North Fork Lone Pine Creek Trail. Despite harsh winter conditions and inadequate preparation, Rodriguez attempted to summit Mount Whitney, the highest peak in the contiguous U.S., on December 30. He was reported missing on January 2, 2025." To read more, click here.
A climber approaches Mt. Whitney in winter conditions.
--SnowBrains is recording that just before Christmas, "a Jeep driver attempted a “hotel shortcut” on the slopes of Northstar California Resort, ending in a DUI arrest. The driver, whose identity remains undisclosed, thought the ski slope would provide a quicker route to their accommodation. However, allegedly fueled by alcohol consumption, their decision led to them getting stuck on the mountain slopes and impeding mountain operations." To read more and see a video, click here.
Desert Southwest:
--8 News Now in Las Vegas is reporting that, "On Christmas Day the Las Vegas Search and Rescue successfully rescued two climbers stranded in Pine Creek Canyon at Red Rock. The climbers had been navigating the “Olive Oil” route on Christmas Eve when a storm rolled in, leaving them unable to proceed." To read more, click here.
Desert Southwest:
--8 News Now in Las Vegas is reporting that, "On Christmas Day the Las Vegas Search and Rescue successfully rescued two climbers stranded in Pine Creek Canyon at Red Rock. The climbers had been navigating the “Olive Oil” route on Christmas Eve when a storm rolled in, leaving them unable to proceed." To read more, click here.
--The National Parks Traveler is reporting that, "President Biden will soon use his authority under the Antiquities Act to preserve hundreds of thousand of acres south of Joshua Tree National Park as the new Chuckwalla National Monument. President Biden is scheduled to visit the area on January 7, possibly to make a formal appearance dedicating the monument, though the White House has yet to make an official announcement." To read more, click here.
Colorado and Utah:
--The Colorado Sun is reporting that, "a backcountry skier was killed Tuesday after being caught in an avalanche near Red Mountain Pass in southwestern Colorado. The avalanche happened on a northwest-facing slope at an elevation of around 11,300 feet in an area known locally as Bollywood, according to the Colorado Avalanche Information Center." To read more, click here.
--The Colorado Sun is reporting that, "a backcountry skier was killed Tuesday after being caught in an avalanche near Red Mountain Pass in southwestern Colorado. The avalanche happened on a northwest-facing slope at an elevation of around 11,300 feet in an area known locally as Bollywood, according to the Colorado Avalanche Information Center." To read more, click here.
--The AP and others are reporting that, "Ski patrollers at the biggest U.S. ski resort reached a tentative deal with the corporate owner of Utah’s Park City Mountain Resort to end a strike and resume normal operations after almost two weeks of closed terrain and long lift lines at the busiest time of year. Neither the Park City Professional Ski Patrollers Association nor Colorado-based Vail Resorts released details about the agreement ahead of a planned ratification vote." To read more, click here.
--Steamboat Pilot and Today is reporting that, "A ski coach with Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club was assaulted at Steamboat Resort on Saturday, resulting in what the victim reported as a “diagnosis of a concussion,” according to police Sgt. Evan Noble." To read more, click here.
Notes from All Over:
--Jackson Hole News and Guide is reporting that, "A skier was killed Saturday in an avalanche near Breccia Cliffs on Togwotee Pass, according to Teton County Search and Rescue. Kenneth Goff, 36, of Lander was identified by Teton County Coroner Dr. Brent Blue as the skier who perished in the slide. The cause of death is still pending. Rescue teams responded with the rescue helicopter, snowmobiles and on skis to four skiers who had triggered the slide as they were ascending a skin track near Breccia Cliffs, according to a social media post Sunday morning by Teton County Search and Rescue." To read more, click here.
--A solo climber survived an earthquake on Mt. Everest this week. Read about it here.
--Anchorage Daily News is reporting that, "President-elect Donald Trump on Sunday said he wants to change the name of the highest mountain in North America from Denali back to Mount McKinley. Alaska’s two Republican U.S. senators, Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan, immediately pushed back, saying they support the Koyukon Athabascan place name for the mountain. Denali was long favored by many Alaskans and used by Indigenous people here for centuries." To read more, click here.
--The last remaining piece of unprotected land at Grand Teton National Park has been protected. From National Parks Traveler: "The sale of 640 acres within Grand Teton National Park from the state of Wyoming to the Interior Department was finalized Monday, ensuring permanent protection for the parcel that is key for migratory wildlife and erasing concerns that the property might have been sold for development." To read more, click here.
--RV Travel is reporting that, "Camping World challenged its customers, “Dare to compare!” Now the results of that challenge have led to a $3.5 million settlement that Camping World must pay after Oregon investigators found the big RV dealer’s claim bilked buyers with inflated charges. Camping World may owe you money." To read more, click here.
--Um. This probably doesn't need a lot of coverage here, but women don't need full body deodorant in the wilderness. Apparently there's a product out there being marketed to women going camping...
--Outside is reporting that, "a budget crisis within the Forest Service means there will be fewer avalanche forecasters keeping backcountry skiers and snowmobilers safe this year. The cut has sparked a debate over the funding and operation of avalanche safety." To read more, click here.
--The National Parks Traveler is reporting that, "Jimmy Carter, who died on December 29th, started out as a small-town peanut farmer and held just one term as president of the United States, but his work during those four years left an enduring public lands legacy, one that saw him sign legislation creating more than three dozen national parks, including the country's largest, Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve in Alaska. President Carter’s signature achievements, through executive and legislative means, created a total of 39 National Park System units." To read more, click here.
--A popular climbing area at Red River Gorge has closed indefinitely. Read about it here.
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