Climbing and Outdoor News from Here and Abroad - 4/17/2025

Sierra:

Yosemite Valley

--Gripped is reporting that, "due to the federal government reducing staff size in Yosemite National Park, scientists have been assigned to cleaning campground bathrooms. The scientists include biologists, hydrologists, archaeologists, and wildlife specialists." To read more, click here.

Desert Southwest:

--A portion of Intersection Rock in Joshua Tree National Park has been closed for several weeks due to rockfall. Read more.

Colorado and Utah:

--Summit Daily is reporting that, "A skier suffered injuries in an avalanche Saturday, April 12, in the K Chute of a popular backcountry spot in Summit County known as the Sky Chutes, according to the Colorado Avalanche Information Center." To read more, click here.

--Summit Daily is reporting that, "A skier involved in an incident on the East Wall at Arapahoe Basin Ski Area was in critical condition as of Monday, April 14, according to information provided by the ski area and CommonSpirit Health. Ski patrol responded after a 46-year-old man was involved in a “serious incident” that occurred on the East Wall, Friday, April 11, A-Basin communications manager Shayna Silverman confirmed in a statement. The man was transported by Flight for Life helicopter to St. Anthony Hospital in Lakewood after the ski incident, Silverman said." To read more, click here.

--Gear Junkie is reporting that, "Four of Utah’s largest and most visited national parks and monuments operate from the same office in Moab. This facility is now squarely in the crosshairs of President Trump’s government efficiency cuts. On March 3, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) announced that it was terminating this office’s lease. This 35,000-square-foot facility in Utah houses engineers, resource crews, search and rescue, archeological surveyors, and more. Without it, many employees would be displaced, and equipment, vehicles, and archaeological artifacts would have nowhere to be stored." To read more, click here.

Notes from All Over:

--Teton Gravity Research is reporting that, "A tragic fall on closed terrain at Sugarloaf Mountain, Maine, claimed the life of Kendall Willard, a 63-year-old snowboarder from nearby Kingfield, on Saturday, April 5. According to Carrabassett Valley Police Chief Mark Lopez, Willard dropped a glove while riding the lift that morning. After unloading, he entered a closed trail on foot, having removed his snowboard, in an attempt to retrieve it. The trail—closed due to hazardous conditions—proved treacherous. Willard lost his footing and slid an estimated 800 feet down an icy slope, coming to rest in a group of trees." To read more, click here.

--IFL Science is reporting that, "According to a statement from the US Attorney's Office, District of Wyoming, 44-year-old Angela Flaherty of Seattle, Washington, pled guilty to leaving the designated boardwalk and viewing area around the Old Faithful geyser, one of Yellowstone’s most beloved thermal features. Flaherty was caught on camera by another visitor straying around 3 meters (10 feet) into the geyser’s cone. Not only was this a public land violation, landing Flaherty a seven-day stint in jail, but it was also not a sensible idea. When Old Faithful erupts, it expels thousands of liters of boiling water, alongside scalding steam. We’ll stay right back, thank you very much." To read more, click here.

--Yahoo Sports is reporting that, "In news that will delight fans of competition climbing, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has announced that there will be three separate climbing events at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games: Speed, Lead and Boulder." To read more, click here.

--Gear Junkie is reporting that, "in an extraordinary announcement posted to REI’s social media accounts on Wednesday, April 9, REI’s new president spoke directly to the retailer’s millions of customers. Mary Beth Laughton, a longtime board member who officially took the reins of the company on March 31, said REI had “made a mistake” by signing a January letter in support of Doug Burgum, Trump’s pick for Secretary of the Department of the Interior." To read more, click here.

Upcoming Programs:

Denali - West Buttress
Ecuador Skills Expedition
Kilimanjaro
Rock Climbing in Red Rock Canyon
Alpine Mountaineering and Technical Leadership
Alpinism I: Introduction to Mountaineering
Mt. Baker Skills and Climb
Rescue Programs
Discounts and Special Offers
Mountain Center Events

Conditions and News from Here and Abroad - 3/27/2025

Northwest:

--The National Post and others are reporting that, "A deadly avalanche that swept over heli-skiers in British Columbia’s Purcell Mountains on Monday, killing three, was a reminder that even with experience and the right gear “something can surprise you,” a rescue manager said. RCMP said in a news release that the slide came down on the east side of Kootenay Lake in southeast B.C., burying the skiers." To read more, click here.

--Teton Gravity Research is reporting that, "Summer skiing on the Horstman Glacier at Whistler Blackcomb, BC, has been an institution for decades. The glacier was one of the only spots in North America for skiers and snowboarders to train and ride through the off-season, drawing some of the biggest names in freestyle and racing. Now, glacial retreat is bringing that glorious era of consistent summer riding to an end. In a blog post, Momentum Camps announced that its operations on the Horstman Glacier are indefinitely suspended. Whistler Blackcomb has confirmed it can no longer maintain summer glacier skiing due to severe snowpack depletion and glacial recession, which have made lift access and safety overwhelmingly difficult." To read more, click here.

--Here's a cool trip report about a new mixed line in BC.

Desert Southwest:

--NPR is reporting that, "The Trump administration has sparked confusion over the future of two national monuments in California that President Biden designated before he left office. Biden established Chuckwalla National Monument and Sáttítla Highlands National Monument on Jan. 14, protecting land considered sacred by area tribes." To read more, click here.

Colorado and Utah:

--The Boulder County Sheriff's Office is reporting that, "On March 23, 2025 about 3:15pm Boulder County Regional Communication Center received a 911 text of an injured fallen climber, in the 33700 blk. of Boulder Canyon Dr. (Rivera climbing area) Boulder County. While Deputies and emergency personnel were responding , more 911 texts were received stating CPR was in progress and the party was unresponsive. A 41 year old male from Golden, Colorado was climbing with his family and friends in this area. The male was found unresponsive after what appeared to be a fall from 20 feet and died from his injuries." To read more, click here.

Notes from All Over:

--SnowBrains is reporting that, "a young snowmobiler was killed in an avalanche on Seattle Ridge in Turnagain Pass, Alaska, on Saturday, March 22. The incident occurred at 2:34 p.m. when the Alaska State Troopers received a report of the fatality. The boy triggered the avalanche while riding with a group on the backside of the ridge, northwest of the Seward Highway." To read more, click here.

--Yahoo News is reporting that, "on March 20, 2025, the REI Union announced that the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) had filed a complaint that REI has violated federal labor laws by withholding merit raises and summit pay from employees at unionized stores across the United States. These benefits have been a significant component of REI’s employee benefits package for over a decade and have been unlawfully withheld from unionized employees since they initiated bargaining." To read more, click here.

--Outside is reporting that, "throughout 2024 and 2025, a litany of outdoor gear brands—from Patagonia to Orvis to REI—have announced revenue shortfalls, downsized their staff, or shuttered altogether. The Outdoor Retailer Trade Show—one of the industry’s biggest events—declared in September that it would drop to just one show per year, combining its summer and winter gear conventions into a single annual event. The turmoil has generated local and national headlines. It’s also forced many workers, from entry-level employees to business owners, to analyze the micro and macroeconomic forces that are putting financial pressure on businesses." To read more, click here.

--It appears that routesetters at the Touchstone Climbing Gym in LA are on strike. Read about it.

Upcoming AAI Programs:

Denali - West Buttress
Ecuador Skills Expedition
Kilimanjaro
Rock Climbing in Red Rock Canyon
Alpine Mountaineering and Technical Leadership
Alpinism I: Introduction to Mountaineering
Mt. Baker Skills and Climb
Rescue Programs
Discounts and Special Offers
Mountain Center Events

Climbing and Outdoor News from Here and Abroad - 3/20/2025

Northwest:

--SnowBrains is reporting that, "on Thursday, March 13, an avalanche on Mount Bailey near Diamond Lake, Oregon, killed Bend resident Brian Thomas Roberts, 50. Roberts was part of a cat skiing group out of Diamond Lake Resort when the avalanche occurred around 3:45 p.m. on the north/northwest side of the mountain. Despite efforts by other skiers and two nurses on the scene, Roberts succumbed to his injuries." To read more, click here.

There have been a lot of ski accidents this week.

--SnowBrains is reporting that, "a skier tragically lost his life at Mt. Bachelor on March 17, 2025, after falling into a tree well and becoming trapped in deep snow. The victim, identified as 34-year-old Benjamin Shelkey of Seattle, Washington, was found unresponsive by fellow skiers who worked desperately to free him before beginning CPR." To read more, click here.

--The News Tribune is reporting on another inbounds accident: "A 74-year-old man died at a Washington ski resort after falling head-first into snow, deputies said. The man was with his brother and friend March 13 at Stevens Pass Ski Area, the King County Sheriff’s Office said in a release." To read more, click here.

--Unofficial Networks is reporting that, "Alpental, one of the two distinct mountains that make up Summit at Snoqualmie, has announced plans to close a few weekends early in order to make extra time for the replacement of the Edelweiss chairlift with a new Doppelmayr triple." To read more, click here.

Sierra:

--Unofficial Networks is reporting that, "An important entry into Yosemite National Park has been cut off after a massive rockslide covered a portion of California State Route 140 in debris." To read more, click here.

--The Nevada Independent is reporting on a forest at extreme fire risk: "For years, land managers discussed developing a fuel treatment plan for the Beaver Creek Pinery, a stand of largely old-growth ponderosa pines and black oaks in Lassen National Forest’s 41,000-acre Ishi Wilderness in northeastern California. One of the largest old-growth forest stands in the region, it had never been logged and served as an important template for Northern California forest restoration efforts. But the stand was never treated. Last year, the 430,000-acre Park Fire “ripped through” the pinery." To read more, click here.

--SnowBrains is reporting that, "as the cost of day tickets and season passes continue to rise, North Lake Tahoe’s ski resorts are reporting a surge in season pass fraud, prompting the Placer County Sheriff’s Office to intervene. According to an Instagram post, the issue involves individuals using passes or lift tickets that do not belong to them, violating both resort policies and state law." To read more, click here.

Desert Southwest:

--KSNV is reporting that, "Stargazers and nature enthusiasts are invited to Red Rock Canyon for a free "star party" on Tuesday, April 22, from 7 to 9:30 p.m. The event, held in the outdoor amphitheater, celebrates Earth Day and supports Red Rock Canyon's application as an Urban Night Sky Place." To read more, click here.

Colorado and Utah:

--KDVR is reporting that, "A 20-year-old skier died Tuesday after crashing at Winter Park Resort, according to police. The Fraser Winter Park Police Department said the man was from Kansas and was wearing a helmet at the time of his crash." To read more, click here.

--SnowBrains is reporting that, "State Route 210 in Little Cottonwood Canyon was hit by an avalanche on Tuesday evening, trapping three vehicles and forcing the Utah Department of Transport (UDOT) to close the road. No injuries were reported, but Alta and Snowbird are under Interlodge orders until 8:45 a.m." To read more, click here.

--Climbing is running an article entitled: "New Rules at Indian Creek and What You Need to Know."

Notes from All Over:

--SnowBrains is reporting that, "Two backcountry skiers died in separate avalanches west of Calgary, Alberta, on Friday, March 14. The first incident occurred around 3 p.m. near Pipestone Bowl, an out-of-bounds area near Lake Louise Ski Resort, and the second incident was near Mount Black Prince in Kananaskis Country." To read more, click here.

--Gear Junkie is reporting that, "For decades, Outside Magazine has offered its readers some of the best outdoor journalism found anywhere. Many of its contributors — from Jon Krakauer and Hampton Sides to Jimmy Chin and Tommy Caldwell — have become iconic authors, photographers, and athletes. Now, some of those icons have asked for their names to be removed from the masthead of the legacy publication. They say the magazine’s parent company, Outside Inc., has abandoned “bold, spirited journalism” by laying off senior staff and discouraging investigative work or political coverage, according to a letter signed by nearly 40 writers, photographers, and editors." To read more, click here.

--RV Pro is reporting that, "The Sierra Club, Union of Concerned Scientists, OCA–Asian Pacific American Advocates and Japanese American Citizens League filed a joint lawsuit over the “unjustified mass firings of federal workers.” Campaign Legal Center is representing all four groups. Sierra Club’s Environmental Law Program is co-counsel representing the Sierra Club." To read more, click here.

--The New York Times published an article called Denali will always be Denali.

--A recent study has confirmed that the Sherpa people who live high in the Himalaya have more blood plasma that the average person, which allows their body to quickly adjust to altitude. Read more, here.

--Newsweek is reporting that, "a group of South African scientists has pleaded for help, saying they are trapped in an isolated base on a cliff edge in Antarctica with a team member who has become violent. One of the team has been accused of assault and threatening violence against his colleagues, according to the South African newspaper The Sunday Times. South Africa's environment minister confirmed that an assault had taken place." To read more, click here.

Upcoming AAI Programs:

Denali - West Buttress
Ecuador Skills Expedition
Kilimanjaro
Rock Climbing in Red Rock Canyon
Alpine Mountaineering and Technical Leadership
Alpinism I: Introduction to Mountaineering
Mt. Baker Skills and Climb
Rescue Programs
Discounts and Special Offers
Mountain Center Events

Climbing and Outdoor News from Here and Abroad - 3/13/2025

Northwest:

--7KRCR is reporting that, "Search and Rescue crews helped save a skier who injured his leg while thousands of feet up Mount Shasta on Friday, according to the Siskiyou County Sheriff's Office (SCSO)." To read more, click here.

A skier in the Baker Backcountry.

--SnowBrains is reporting that, "A cabin on the Golden Eagle Express gondola at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort fell Monday after a key mechanical part gave way, forcing the resort to shut down all lift operations. The cabin dropped after a hangar arm—the metal piece linking the carrier to the main cable—snapped, according to Liftblog. The eight-person cabin had just left the base station when it detached and fell to the ground. All passengers were inside at the time, but the low height likely minimized injuries." To read more, click here.

Sierra:

--The Tahoe Daily Tribune is worried about how actions in the White House will impact skiing: "As actions related to federal public lands incite passion, protests, and demonstrations, its begs the question: could ski resorts that sit on federal public lands be in jeopardy? One conservation organization believes they could be. 'This is probably the most dangerous moment we’ve seen for a long time,' Michael Carroll, BLM Campaign Director with the Wilderness Society expressed in terms of the impacts decisions the Trump Administration and the republican controlled Congress could potentially have on federal public lands." To read more, click here.

--SF Gate is reporting that, "Authorities are seeking the public’s help in finding individuals who desecrated ancient, protected tribal rock carvings near Bishop, California. The petroglyphs at Volcanic Tableland were carved into the rock by Paiute-Shoshone people long before European settlers came to the American West. The unique geology on the eastern side of the Sierra was formed more than 700,000 years ago when a volcanic eruption created a rock plateau of pumice and ash known as Bishop Tuff." To read more, click here.

Desert Southwest:

--AZ Family is reporting that, "The Pinal County Sheriff’s Office released a video on Saturday of crews saving a rock climber who fell more than 40 feet earlier this year. Rescue teams were called out to a remote area east of Superior on Jan. 20." To read more, click here.

Colorado and Utah:

--Townlift is reporting that, "A backcountry skier was killed in an avalanche near Hoyt Peak, northeast of Kamas in the Uinta Mountains, according to the Utah Avalanche Center and local authorities. The victim, identified as 51-year-old Michael Janulaitis of Marion, Utah, was reported missing around 5 p.m. on March 7 after failing to return home from a backcountry ski as expected." To read more, click here.

--The Post Independent is reporting that, "A backcountry skier was caught in a human-triggered avalanche and injured on Saturday afternoon near Marble, just outside Pitkin County to the south in the Crystal River Valley, according to a recent report from the Colorado Avalanche Information Center." To read more, click here.

--Gear Junkie is reporting that, "Copper Mountain could be getting a lot bigger in the coming seasons. On Feb. 27, White River National Forest (WRNF) approved a master plan to expand the resort by more than 500 acres. The plan also includes eight upgrades to existing lifts and six brand-new lifts — one of which would be the highest in North America." To read more, click here.

Notes from All Over:

--SnowBrains is reporting that, "a skier died Monday following a fall from the Triple Chair lift at Red Lodge Mountain, triggering serious concerns about lift safety at the popular south-central Montana ski area. The 37-year-old man from Billings was airlifted to a hospital in Billings after falling from the chairlift late Monday morning and later died from his injuries, according to the Carbon County Sheriff’s Office." To read more, click here.

--Wildfire Today is reporting that, "The United States Department of Agriculture on Tuesday announced each of the 6,000 probationary employees it had terminated since Feb. 13 now has their job back, the department said in a press release. 'By Wednesday, March 12, the Department will place all terminated probationary employees in pay status and provide each with back pay, from the date of termination,” USDA’s statement said. “The Department will work quickly to develop a phased plan for return-to-duty, and while those plans materialize, all probationary employees will be paid.'" To read more, click here.

The North Face Skims line is questionable.

--Shop Eat Surf Outdoors is asking a good question: "Is The North Face, with its recent sold-out collab with Kim Kardashian’s brand Skims, transforming into a luxury or fashion brand? 'Absolutely not,' said TNF Global Brand President Caroline Brown, formerly the CEO of Donna Karan International and DKNY, at parent company VF Corp.’s Investor Day presentations on Thursday morning. 'We are built for exploration, and it’s that heritage that we will stay true to and grow from.'" To read more, click here.

--The Dallas Morning News is reporting that, "Two national parks offices in Texas are slated to close as part of a plan by President Donald Trump to cut government spending. The facilities are among 34 National Park Service offices across the country the administration is seeking to shutter, according to the National Parks Conservation Association, a nonpartisan advocacy organization." To read more, click here.

Devil's Tower National Monument is cutting hours due to staffing shortages.

--The Access Fund is hiring a Northeast Regional Manager. Learn more here.

--RV Pro is reporting that, "The National Park Service reported a record-setting 331,863,358 visits in 2024, amid a recent 9% cut to the National Park Service workforce and continued uncertainty. The previous record was set in 2016 with 330,971,689 recreation visits.  The National Parks Conservation Association said it found this robust visitation to be at odds with the ongoing dismantling of America’s park legacy." To read more, click here.

--Shop Eat Surf X Outdoors is reporting that, "Vail Resorts is focused on improving both employee and guest satisfaction in the wake of several labor disputes that disrupted the season earlier this year. 'Our guests are incredibly passionate about our mountain resorts and the experience that they have there, and we’re very fortunate to have a passionate guest space,” said CEO Kirsten Lynch on the company’s second-quarter earnings call on Monday. “And we’re not always perfect, and so sometimes, I think it’s key for us to acknowledge when things don’t go the way that we had hoped and make sure that we’re taking action to address those things and there are challenges that we face.'" To read more, click here.

Upcoming AAI Programs:

Denali - West Buttress
Ecuador Skills Expedition
Kilimanjaro
Rock Climbing in Red Rock Canyon
Alpine Mountaineering and Technical Leadership
Alpinism I: Introduction to Mountaineering
Mt. Baker Skills and Climb
Rescue Programs
Discounts and Special Offers
Mountain Center Events

Climbing and Outdoor News from Here and Abroad - 3/6/2025

Northwest:

--SnowBrains is reporting that, "An avalanche near Harts Pass, Washington, killed a snowmobiler and injured another yesterday, Friday, February 28, reports the Northwest Avalanche Center (NWAC). The incident occurred northwest of Mazama, where three snowmobilers triggered a large slab avalanche." To read more, click here.

Click on Photo to Enlarge.

--We were worried that the climbing media wouldn't pick up the astounding new route on the West Face of Sloan Peak. But they did! You can read about it here.

--SGB Media is reporting that, "Amer Sports is reporting that its Arc’teryx technical outdoor brand achieved over $2 billion of sales in 2024, and delivered another great result in the fourth quarter of the year, again leading growth for the parent of Arc’teryx, Salomon and Wilson Sports. Company CEO James Zheng told analysts and investors on the company’s Q4 conference call that strong growth at Arc’teryx came across all regions, channels, and categories — especially in footwear and women’s, which grew faster than the brand overall." To read more, click here.

--Outdoor Sportswire is reporting that, "Sun Valley Resort is proud to announce that it has been officially recognized as a Whitebark Pine Friendly Ski Area by the Whitebark Pine Ecosystem Foundation (WPEF). This prestigious certification highlights the resort’s ongoing commitment to conservation, environmental stewardship, and public education about the importance of the threatened whitebark pine tree and its critical role in high-elevation ecosystems." To read more, click here.

--The Seattle Times is reporting that, "Washington’s state parks and other natural sites may soon become more expensive to visit as lawmakers are looking to increase the price of the Discover Pass. The pass allows visitors to access state-managed lands, such as parks, campgrounds, trails and water access points. Federal lands, including national parks, are subject to different access fees. Currently, an annual Discover Pass costs $30 and can be used in up to two vehicles. A day-use state parks permit is $10. Senate Bill 5390 proposes to increase the annual Discover Pass fee to $45. It would be the first price increase since the pass was introduced about 14 years ago. The way the bill is written, the increase would take effect in late July." To read more, click here.

Sierra:

--The Reno Gazette Journal is reporting that, "Palisades Tahoe confirmed Monday that an investigation has been launched after a young skier and a snowmobile collided last weekend at the resort. The child, a member of the Mighty Mites ski team for ages 5 to 9, collided with the snowmobile around noon Saturday, sustaining a lower-body injury, according to Palisades." To read more, click here.

Desert Southwest:

--3 News is reporting that, "Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Search and Rescue (SAR) personnel conducted a successful rescue operation on Magic Mountain's ridge line after a boulder accident left a climber with a minor crush injury. The incident occurred around 6 p.m. on Feb. 28, 2025 as two climbers were descending the ridge line after completing the Honeycomb Chimney climbing route. A boulder came loose, injuring one climber's leg." To read more, click here.

Colorado and Utah:

--SnowBrains is reporting that, "The body of Connor Gill, a 26-year-old snowboarder from the Denver area, was found on Vail Mountain on February 28, ending a two-week search effort. Gill had been missing since February 14, when he was last seen boarding the Avanti Express chairlift around 9 a.m." To read more, click here.

--Gear Junkie is reporting that, "Luck comes in many forms, but for a father and son hiking in Utah’s Snow Canyon on February 17, it came in the form of an abandoned backpack. Stuck overnight high up on a canyon ledge, Julian Hernandez and his 12-year-old son would have had a different outcome had it not been for someone else’s misfortune, said Sergeant Jacob Paul with Washington County Search and Rescue." To read more, click here.

--It appears that someone has been messing with the classic aid route Touchstone in Zion. Read about it, here.

Notes from All Over:

--Boston.com is reporting that, "A skier in the White Mountains in New Hampshire survived an avalanche on Wednesday after being buried under the snow, officials said. The skier triggered the avalanche in the Presidential Range on Feb. 26 and was 'caught, carried and critically buried' under the snow, the Mount Washington Avalanche Center said in a statement." To read more, click here.

--The owner of Tyrol Basin Ski Resort in Wisconsin has been arrested for disorderly conduct and the physical abuse of a child. It's really hard to understand what actually happened in this story.

--SnowBrains is reporting that, "Three people survived a plane crash near the summit of Vermont’s Mount Equinox early Wednesday after deep snow cushioned the impact, officials with the Manchester Fire Department report. The Piper PA-28, which departed from Martin State Airport in Maryland, crashed around 3:50 a.m. at an elevation of 3,200 feet." To read more, click here.

--Outside magazine did an excellent job of covering the recent protests in the National Parks. They included some of the best signs they saw. See the article here.

--VT Digger and many others are reporting that, "In the wake of Vice President JD Vance’s ski trip to Sugarbush resort this weekend, the Mad River Valley was transformed into a hotbed of protests against the administration of President Donald Trump. In the largest planned demonstration Saturday morning, Vermonters and visitors stood along a stretch of Main Street by the Mad River Green in Waitsfield toting protest signs and flags that expressed concerns ranging from the state of democracy to climate change to LGBTQ+ rights." To read more, click here.

--Currently the best report on how many rangers each National Park is losing comes to us from Outside Magazine. See their article here.

--A wide array of National Parks visitor centers are slated to be closed by the Trump Administration. Read more.

--It's grants season for the American Alpine Club. Learn more, here.

--Please note that the Black Diamond Vision Harness has been recalled. Learn more.

Upcoming AAI Programs:

Denali - West Buttress
Ecuador Skills Expedition
Kilimanjaro
Rock Climbing in Red Rock Canyon
Alpine Mountaineering and Technical Leadership
Alpinism I: Introduction to Mountaineering
Mt. Baker Skills and Climb
Rescue Programs
Discounts and Special Offers
Mountain Center Events

Climbing and Outdoor News from Here and Abroad - 2/27/25

Northwest:

--In mid-February, a small team made a direct mixed ascent of a WI5 line called Salt and Pepper. The new line, Spice Rack is M10. Read more.

The west side of Mt. Rainier in January, 2025.

--The Kitsap Sun is reporting that, "About half a dozen employees at each of Washington’s three national parks are believed to have been laid off as part of the Trump administration’s government-wide push to slash staff. Mount Rainier and North Cascades national parks each saw six employees let go last week, while Olympic National Park lost five, said Bill Wade, the executive director of the Association of National Park Rangers." To read more, click here.

Sierra:

--Teton Gravity Research is reporting that, "the widow of a snowboarder who was "buried alive" while riding at Heavenly Mountain Resort has filed a suit against the mountain  and its parent company, Vail Resorts. Wesley Whalen, 46, was riding a black diamond run at the Lake Tahoe resort when he sank into deep snow and was buried alive." To read more, click here.

An upside down flag next to the "Yosemite Firefall." Via KNTV.

--NBC News and others are reporting that, "Nature lovers flock to Yosemite National Park every February to witness the majestic "firefall" event, but this year’s crowds were met a different spectacle: an upside-down American flag hung on a summit to protest the Trump administration’s cuts of national park service employees. The flag was hung on the top of the famed El Capitan summit, a 3,000-foot vertical rock formation in Mariposa County, California, on Saturday evening by a group of upset Yosemite employees." To read more, click here.

--Climbing has posted a full article on how government layoffs are affecting Yosemite. Read it here.

Desert Southwest:

--Axios San Diego is reporting on the loss of six ranger jobs at Joshua Tree National Park and how it may impact visitor experience.

Colorado and Utah:

--SnowBrains is reporting that, "a backcountry snowboarder died Saturday in a large avalanche on Mines Peak, east of Colorado’s Berthoud Pass. The incident occurred in 'The Fingers,' a series of steep, northwest-facing avalanche paths accessible from the summit parking area." To read more, click here.

--11 News is reporting that, "A skier is recovering Tuesday night after being partially buried in an avalanche on a run named the “Mine Dump,” according to the San Miguel County Sheriff’s Office. The Sheriff’s Office said the avalanche occurred on Tuesday afternoon outside of the Town of Ophir, south of Telluride. They said the avalanche carried the skier into trees at the bottom of the slope and partially buried the skier." To read more, click here.

--Here's a report about a rockfall incident in Eldorado Canyon.

Notes from All Over:

--SnowBrains is reporting that, "a 79-year-old male skier was found alive after spending an entire night lost at Blacktail Mountain Ski Area in Montana. The man had taken shelter in a tree well—a hollow space that forms around a tree trunk when snowfall accumulates on its branches, preventing snow buildup beneath. To stay warm, he used pine branches as insulation and started a small fire." To read more, click here.

--The Pacific Crest Trail Association put out a statement on the current state of things: "As we face financial and operational challenges because of uncertainty around federal funding for the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), I want to be transparent with our community about the impact this may have on our mission. The U.S. Forest Service has let us know that our future federal grant funding may be delayed while it is under review as part of the new administration’s efforts to reduce federal spending and staffing. We are unsure when or if this funding will be cut, reduced or fully restored." To read more, click here.

--SGB Media is reporting that, "REI Co-op has entered into a long-term sale-leaseback agreement with Madison Capital, a New York-based real estate investment firm, for its four, Class A distribution center properties. REI said it will continue to maintain and operate all buildings with no impact to employees. REI Co-op has entered into a long-term sale-leaseback agreement with Madison Capital, a New York-based real estate investment firm, for its four Class A distribution center properties. The retailer reported that it 'will continue to maintain and operate all buildings without impacting employees.'" To read more, click here.

--The Red River Gorge Climbers Coalition has made the largest climbing land acquisition in history. Read about it here.

Upcoming AAI Programs:

Denali - West Buttress
Ecuador Skills Expedition
Kilimanjaro
Rock Climbing in Red Rock Canyon
Alpine Mountaineering and Technical Leadership
Alpinism I: Introduction to Mountaineering
Mt. Baker Skills and Climb
Rescue Programs
Discounts and Special Offers
Mountain Center Events

Heuristic Traps and Risk Management

The mountains don’t care about our egos, our plans, or how overdue we feel for an epiphany. They do what they do—slide, crumble, freeze, thaw—indifferent to our deep need to summit something today. But the mind? The mind cares a lot. It spins and schemes, convincing you that this moment, right now, is your only chance to prove yourself. It leans on shortcuts—scarcity, commitment, social proof, familiarity—whispering that if you don’t go now, you never will, that everyone else is doing it, that you’ve come too far to turn back, that you know this place too well to get hurt. Ian McCammon called these heuristic traps, and that’s exactly what they are: tricks of the mind that make us mistake urgency for wisdom. But the mountains, bless them, are great teachers of surrender. They remind us—sometimes gently, sometimes with the rumble of unsettled snow—that letting go isn’t weakness. The best decisions aren’t made from fear or scarcity, but from presence. So we practice. We catch ourselves clinging. We breathe. We remember that the summit is not the point, that the plan is not the point. Being awake, being alive, being willing to pivot when the moment calls for it—that’s the point. And here are four ways I’ve learned that the hard way.

Scarcity:

I was hellbent on ice climbing tomorrow—the sort of plan that makes you feel competent and rugged, as though you’ve hacked life better than most people who cower under fleece blankets at the first sign of winter. But life, or rather, the weather, often enjoys performing a little vaudeville routine just to remind you that control is an illusion. The freezing levels were skyrocketing from a frosty 2,000 feet to 8,000—a cruel trick, like turning your ice cream into soup mid-bite.

It was that scarcity heuristic in action—the gnawing sense that time and opportunity were slipping away, whispering: If you don’t do it now, you’ll never get another chance. But instead of trusting my brain’s whispery panic, I pivoted. And honestly, pivoting doesn’t come easily for me. I’m the kind of person who gets attached to a plan as though it’s a beloved childhood toy. Ice climbing felt scarce, precious. And yet, ignoring the facts—that the ice would be mush, the risk high—would be like sticking a fork into an electrical outlet just to prove I’m resilient.

So, I exhaled. I set the gear down. I remembered that more cold days are coming, more adventures waiting. Scarcity’s a liar sometimes. And when I really listen, I remember there’s nothing noble about suffering for the sake of a plan. The mountains will wait. The ice will form again. And tomorrow, I don’t have to prove anything to anyone—not even to myself.

Commitment:

When I say I’m going to do something, I do it. It’s not about being stubborn—it’s more that I’ve always felt like there’s some kind of cosmic scoreboard tracking whether I follow through. So one day, quite a few years ago, I set out to ski Mt. Larrabee. It was one of those grueling four-hour approaches where you’re ankle-deep in that special kind of slush that soaks your soul, trudging up boot packs, road walking like some sunburned pilgrim on skis. But I was fueled by that mix of ambition and irrational pride that makes Type 2 fun feel like a spiritual obligation.

By the time we reached the upper bowl, we finally saw the mountain in all its terrible glory. It was warming up—fast. The kind of day where the sun feels less like a cheerful companion and more like a liability. But the snow was holding, at least for now. Stable enough. So we kept going, heads down, ignoring the rising temperature, the clock, the creeping feeling in our guts. And then—there we were—surrounded. Natural slides sloughing off all around us, D1.5, D2—hissing and tumbling like the mountain itself was whispering, you’re not welcome here.

Two of us stopped in our tracks, blinking at the signs like they were neon warnings on a Vegas strip. But one of us—there’s always one—wanted to push on. “We’re so close,” they said. And they weren’t wrong. We were close. But close is one of those words that can either be hopeful or tragic.

That was the commitment heuristic in full bloom—the little voice that says, you’ve come this far, how can you possibly turn back now? It’s a liar in fancy boots. It makes you mistake stubbornness for strength, pride for purpose.

But the thing about mountains is that they don’t care how far you’ve walked or how much you want to tag the summit. They’ll take what they take, and they’ll give you nothing back but humility, if you’re lucky. That day, we turned around. Not because we weren’t committed, but because we realized that commitment means knowing when to let go. And thank God we did—because sometimes the bravest thing you can do is walk away from the thing you thought you needed, with all your pieces still intact.

Social proof:

Denali has a way of making you feel small and uncertain—like a kid lost in a massive department store, overwhelmed by all the towering shelves of snow and rock. It’s not just the cold or the altitude—it’s the sheer scale of the place, the unrelenting vastness that makes you feel like an ant trying to find your way across a dinner plate in a blizzard. And when people are overwhelmed, they look for something—anything—to follow.

On Denali, that often looks like this: one team decides it’s time to push to the next camp, so every other team lines up behind them, single file, like a string of beads. And if there’s a boot pack? Forget it. Everyone will follow that same precise line of steps, no questions asked. I’ve watched whole teams march in unison until a crevasse opens right under the boot pack they were so sure would lead them to glory.

Denali

It’s social proof at work—the mental shortcut that says, If everyone else is doing it, it must be the right thing to do. We crave certainty in chaos, and when you’re standing on an icefield that feels more like the surface of the moon, it’s easy to assume that whoever went first must have known something you didn’t. But the truth is, they might have just been winging it too.

I get it—it’s comforting to be a sheep when you’re tired and scared. But mountains don’t care about the herd. The glacier doesn’t care that you’re following footprints like breadcrumbs in a fairy tale. I’ve learned the hard way that there’s no safety in numbers when the numbers are all guessing. Sometimes, you have to step off the beaten track, listen to your own gut, and risk being the lone idiot standing still while everyone else presses on. Because out there, the price of being wrong isn’t just a bruised ego—it’s everything. And the boot pack? It’s not a shortcut to safety. Sometimes it’s just the first step to a very long fall.

Familiarity:

Mount Baker feels like home. I know the ridges, the glaciers, the hum of the icefalls cracking in the distance. I know the smell of the air when the sun hits the snow and that specific crunch of my boots when the cold is just right. And that’s the thing about familiarity—it’s seductive. It whispers: You’ve been here a thousand times. You know this place. You’re fine.

I tell myself I’ll do a full tour plan, really sit down and dig into the avy report. But more often than I’d like to admit, I glance at the map like I’m skimming the instructions for a piece of IKEA furniture I’ve built five times already. The glaciers feel small, almost benign—like old friends who would never turn on me. But that’s the problem with comfort: it makes you blind. Baker is no small hill. It’s a sprawling, volatile cathedral of ice and rock. And yet, when you’re familiar with something, you start to believe you’re immune to its sharp edges.

Mt. Baker

The familiarity heuristic is one of the hardest dragons I fight—sneaky and quiet, almost invisible. You don’t realize you’re under its spell until you’re standing there in a windstorm thinking, Why didn’t I double-check my route? Why didn’t I respect this place today like I did the first time? Familiarity lulls you into softness when you should be sharp.

I have to remind myself—sometimes out loud—that Baker is a real mountain with real consequences. No matter how many times I’ve been there, it will never love me back. It doesn’t owe me anything. And the comfort I feel up there? That’s my responsibility, not the mountain’s. I can’t afford to be a tourist in my own backyard. That’s how people lose their way, or worse. So, I do the work. Even if it feels like overkill. Even if I want to skip the safety checks because I’ve been through them a hundred times. Because I know the moment you stop being diligent in a place you love is the moment the mountain reminds you how small you really are.

--Mike Morris, Instructor and Guide