Thursday, July 24, 2025

Climbing and Outdoor News from Here and Abroad - 7/24/25

Northwest:

--ABC News and others are reporting that, "A 4-year-old child was attacked by a mountain lion at a national park in Washington state, officials said. The incident occurred Sunday afternoon in Olympic National Park, near the Victoria Overlook area on Hurricane Ridge, according to the National Park Service." To read more, click here.

--The News Tribune is reporting that, "An injured climber summoned help after falling on a remote Washington peak by shouting across a canyon, officials said. The 31-year-old was climbing alone on Sinister Peak’s northern glacier when he fell, the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office said in a July 16 post on Facebook." To read more, click here.

--From a news release from Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest: "Due to dry conditions, high fire danger, and the number of interagency resources already dedicated to active incidents, campfires in the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest will be restricted to established fire rings starting at 12 a.m. on July 18th, 2025. All campfires, charcoal or briquette fires, pellet fires, and any other open fires will not be allowed, except within campfire rings in designated campgrounds specifically listed. Gas or propane camp stoves with a shut-off valve or lever that extinguishes the flame immediately are permitted. These stoves should be operated far from flammable vegetation and forest litter. Extreme caution is urged when using any open flame."

--In more burn ban news, Whatcom News is reporting that, "Whatcom County Fire District 17 (WCFD17), Lummi Island Fire District (WCFD11) and the Whatcom County Fire Marshal’s Office announced this week that all outdoor burning, including recreational campfires and beach fires, will be temporarily banned." To read more, click here.

Desert Southwest:

--3 News is reporting that, "Federal officials are exploring changes to racing permitting and other competitive events at the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. The Bureau of Land Management said it is seeking public input on a Draft Programmatic Environmental Assessment for Special Recreation Permits Management." To read more, click here.

Colorado and Utah:

--Gephardt Daily is reporting that, "Salt Lake County Sheriff's officials have released the name of a man caught and killed in a rock slide Saturday in Bell's Canyon. The victim was David Mull, 49, of Salt Lake City. The Sheriff's statement says Mull 'was the sole victim of the incident.'" To read more, click here.

--The parents of a teenager are suing the Park City Ski and Snowboard Team. Read more.

Notes from All Over:

--SF Gate is reporting that, "The National Park Service has taken down an exhibit at Muir Woods National Monument that aimed to tell a more complete history of the site, SFGATE has learned from a former park ranger who helped to develop the exhibit. It’s the first confirmed removal of what the Donald Trump administration has referred to as 'improper ideology' under a directive from Interior Secretary Doug Burgum issued earlier this year." To read more, click here.

--Gripped is reporting that, "a landslide in New York’s Adirondack Mountains has reshaped the popular Avalanche Pass trail, prompting mixed reactions: disappointment from hikers but excitement from backcountry skiers. Triggered by heavy rainstorms, the landslide caused significant mud and rockslides, leading the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to announce that the trail is closed. The affected section lies between the junction to Lake Arnold and the southern end of Avalanche Lake. An alternate route to Lake Arnold is available, but the DEC warns of muddy and unstable conditions due to the landslide’s impact." To read more, click here.

Upcoming Programs:


Posted by Jason Martin at 6:00 AM 0 comments

Thursday, July 17, 2025

Climbing and Outdoor News from Here and Abroad - 7/17/2025

Northwest:

--Source One is reporting that, "A climber injured in a remote area near Glacier Peak was rescued Monday afternoon following a coordinated emergency response involving the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office and a Navy rescue team. According to Sheriff Mike Morrison, the incident began on July 14, 2025, at approximately 1:38 PM, when CCSO Deputies were contacted by the Washington State Emergency Operations Center regarding a Garmin inReach activation near Chickamin Glacier, located north of Glacier Peak." To read more, click here.

--High Country News is reporting that the Trump Administration has cut funding for trail maintenance. "Every year, a popular hiking destination in Washington’s Alpine Lakes Wilderness known as the Enchantments sees upwards of 100,000 visitors. It’s part of the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, and, like most public lands, its trails are maintained through exquisite coordination between federal agencies, stewardship organizations, private groups and armies of volunteers. But recent federal budget cuts have triggered rippling delays: In February, the Forest Service’s local equine stock program was gutted, meaning that mules could no longer carry supplies to support necessary trail work deep in the backcountry. As a result, the wilderness protection nonprofit Washington Trails Association (WTA) decided to withhold maintenance crews for the Enchantments area’s trails. Weeks later, the Forest Service district regained its pack string, but by then, it was too late — the WTA no longer had the capacity to pencil in a new expedition for the season. This summer, visitors are more likely to encounter accumulated debris, damaged tread and overgrown brush on trails." To read more, click here.


--AAI is hosting a free viewing of the 1993 film Cliffhanger on Thursday, July 17th (today!). Games at 7 and a movie at 7:30. In addition to this, we will view a short interview with Bob Gaines, a climber and rigger that worked on the film. Learn more.

Desert Southwest:

--The Associated Press is reporting that, "a fast-moving wildfire destroyed a historic lodge and dozens of other structures on the Grand Canyon’s North Rim, forcing officials to close access to that area for the season, the park said Sunday." To read more, click here.

Colorado and Utah:

--The Denver Post is reporting that, "a 39-year-old climber was rescued Sunday from North Maroon Peak, a fourteener southwest of Aspen in the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness Area, sheriff’s officials said. The climber, who has not been publicly identified, fell and broke a leg in steep and unstable terrain less than 200 feet from the mountain’s 14,022-foot summit, according to a news release from the Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office." To read more, click here.

Notes from All Over:

--Gripped is reporting that, "a climber has died climbing a peak in Glacier National Park, Montana, according to the Flathead Beacon. Brian Astle, a 42-year-old from Provo, Utah, succumbed to injuries sustained after falling on the west face of Mount Gould on July 9 at around 6 p.m." To read more, click here.

--The Colorado Sun is reporting that, "after one of the most successful ski launches ever, Peak Ski Co. has collapsed amid acrimony and claims of mismanagement by the high-profile founders of the Montana-based ski-maker. 'It’s such a sad story. It did not need to go down this way,' says Aspen big-mountain skiing legend Chris Davenport, who joined Peak Ski Co. in 2022 as a senior director of skiing and product innovation." To read more, click here.

--Climbers are helping scientists learn more about bats. They're helping them determine where bats are and whether or not they have white nose syndrome. Bat conservationists came to AAI this spring to talk to guides and local climbers about this. Learn more.

--SGB Media is reporting that, "Shares of Helen of Troy tumbled about 23 percent Thursday, July 10, after the company reported a loss in the fiscal first quarter ended May 31. Sales declined 10.8 percent and the company issued guidance for the current quarter that was well below analyst targets. Of the sales decline, approximately eight percentage points was attributed to tariffs. Shares fell $7.04, or 22.7 percent, to close at $23.96 on Thursday, July 10." To read more, click here.

--Outdoor Sportswire is reporting that, "Southeastern Climbers Coalition (SCC), the local climbing coalition, and Access Fund, the national advocacy organization for sustainable access and conservation of climbing landscapes, are thrilled to announce that a long-term agreement has been signed with Lyme Timber Company opening access to a new climbing area in Sequatchie Valley, TN, Little Brushy. The area opens access to 409 acres of single pitch sport climbing to the climbing community." To read more, click here.

Upcoming Programs:
Posted by Jason Martin at 6:00 AM 0 comments

Thursday, July 10, 2025

Climbing and Outdoor News from Here and Abroad - 7/10/2025

Northwest:

--North Cascades National Park is reporting that, "campfires or the ignition of wood, briquettes, or any fuel in fire pits, fire pans and barbeque grills, are banned in all portions of North Cascades National Park Service Complex, which includes North Cascades National Park, Ross Lake National Recreation Area, and Lake Chelan National Recreation Area. This ban includes all National Park Service lands and campgrounds along State Route 20 as well as Hozomeen and the entire Stehekin Valley. Pressurized or bottled liquid fuel stoves, grills, or lanterns are allowed. Devices must have an on/off switch or valve that can immediately extinguish the flame." To read more, click here.

--Cascadia Daily News is reporting that, "Dwindling snowpack and glaciers in the mountains are changing when — and with what intensity — water flows through the watersheds of Whatcom and Skagit counties.  Experts around the counties recognize that without preparation, this could one day threaten some residents’ water supply, especially in summer." To read more, click here.



--AAI will be hosting a movie night with a showing of Cliffhanger on July 17th in Bellingham. Games at 7 with the movie starting at 7:30pm. Learn more.

--The Public Shelter at Camp Muir (10,080 ft) will be closed for maintenance and improvements from July 7 through September 30, 2025. The shelter will remain available for emergency use only during this time. If you're planning an overnight trip to Camp Muir, bring a tent and plan to camp.

--Mt. Hood will have lift served skiing through August 20th. Read more, here.

Sierra:

--Gripped is reporting that, "an 18-year-old Yosemite Hospitality employee from Frisco, Texas, named Grant Cline, tragically died in June in a rock climbing accident in Yosemite National Park, as reported by the Mariposa Gazette. Cline, a recent graduate of Centennial High School where he was active in theater and law programs, fell at or around Royal Arches. Search and rescue teams assisted in recovering his body." To read more, click here.

--The LA Times is reporting on a complicated rescue: "A solo female climber was nearing the remote summit of California’s second-tallest mountain last week when she fell, injuring her leg so badly the bone was sticking through her skin. What’s more, she lost her backpack. So, in a span of seconds, she went from nearing a personal triumph to finding herself alone and severely injured on a isolated and unforgiving mountainside with no food, water or extra clothing." To read more, click here.

Desert Southwest:

Mt. Wilson in Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area

--105.9 Coyote Country is reporting that, "Construction on Red Rock Legacy Trail, a project the community has worked on for nearly two decades to enhance safety and improve access for cyclists and outdoor users in the Red Rock Canyon area, kicked off on July 1. The project has been a long time coming, pushed by the local community and residents like Heather Fisher, the president of Save Red Rock. Fisher was inspired to be more active in improving safety in the Red Rock Canyon area when she lost a friend to a cycling accident in the same area." To read more, click here.

Notes from All Over:

--Climbing is reporting that, "On June 29, at the well-known Tennessee climbing gym Memphis Rox, 25-year-old climber and gym employee Jarmond Johnson lost his life in a shooting. According to information released to Climbing by the Memphis Police Department, an argument around 4 p.m. that day escalated into a shooting at the gym. A second person involved, Dejuan Taylor, also lost his life. Memphis Police reported that one victim was transported to the hospital in critical condition, and another was pronounced dead on scene." To read more, click here.

--The Charlotte Observer is reporting that, "A man rappelling in North Carolina’s rugged Linville Gorge died at the base of a popular waterfall, according to searchers. It happened around 1:15 p.m. Sunday, July 6, at Steele Creek Falls in Pisgah National Forest, Burke County Emergency Services said in a July 8 news release." To read more, click here.

--25 News is reporting that, "A rock climber was flown to the hospital with possible life-threatening injuries after falling 60 feet on Mount Washington. According to New Hampshire Fish and Game, just after 1 P.M., they recieved a report from a group of hikers who say they witnessed a man fall around 60 feet in the vicinity of Pinnacle Buttress." To read more, click here.

--The Inertia is reporting that, "on July 3, Donald Trump signed an executive order that called on Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum to raise prices for anyone who doesn’t live in the US. It will affect all national parks that require fees for entrance and recreation." To read more, click here.

--A second article covers some other disturbing aspects of the new Executive Order. From San Francisco Gate: "Thursday’s order also revokes a 2017 memorandum signed by President Barack Obama that promoted diversity and inclusion efforts across federally managed public lands. The memorandum was aimed at increasing the diversity of workforces throughout national parks, national forests and other public lands, and also developing plans to enhance accessibility to public lands for diverse populations. Thursday’s executive order gives no explanation as to why the memorandum was revoked, though the Trump administration has made efforts to eradicate diversity, equity and inclusion efforts from nearly all aspects of the federal government since the president was sworn in in January." To read more, click here.

--Here's an interesting piece on pooping in the outdoors...!
Posted by Jason Martin at 6:00 AM 0 comments
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