American Alpine Institute - Climbing Blog

Climbing and Outdoor News from Here and Abroad - 9/25/2025

2025-09-25T06:00:00.000-07:00

Northwest:

--Former AAI Guides Lani Chapko and Sam Boyce recently made a first ascent of a new route on Mt. Redoubt. Calcifer Ridge clocks in at Grade III and 5.7, though it's mostly low-fifth class climbing. Read more, here.

October 11th is the Annual Icicle Canyon Cleanup! More Information.

Sierra:

--The Los Angeles Times is reporting that a Seattle man has been missing in the Sierra for a significant amount of time. He was last reported to be attempting the Palisade Traverse. To read more, click here.

Colorado and Utah:

--The Denver Post is reporting on a climbing accident on Saturday in the Clear Creek area. "Idaho Springs police are investigating a fatal climbing accident after a person fell from a route along a nearby state highway, according to the department." To read more, click here.

--Outdoor Life is reporting that, "The two missing elk hunters, whose bodies were found Thursday after a six-day search in southern Colorado, died from a lighting strike, according to an update from the fiancé of one of the hunters. Although an official statement on the cause of death has yet to be released by Conejos County, the Denver Post reports that county coroner Richard Martin confirmed lightning killed Andrew Porter and Ian Stasko, both 25." To read more, click here.

Notes from All Over:

--Non Stop Local Billings is reporting that, "Red Lodge Fire Rescue responded to an injured climber at the Confluence Crag near the Lions Camp on the Lake Fork of Rock Creek on Sunday afternoon, September 21." To read more, click here.

--SnowBrains is reporting that, "more than six months after a devastating avalanche in Alaska’s Chugach Mountains claimed the lives of three heli-skiers, recovery teams have been unable to bring their bodies home. The slide struck March 4 near the west fork of the Twentymile River outside Girdwood, burying three longtime friends beneath an estimated 40 to 100 feet of snow. The victims were identified as David Linder, 39, of Florida; Charles Eppard, 39, of Montana; and Jeremy Leif, 38, of Minnesota. The men grew up together in Minnesota and were skiing with Girdwood-based Chugach Powder Guides when the avalanche occurred." To read more, click here.

--SGB Media is reporting that, "At Amer Sports’ Investor Day held on Thursday, September 18, at Arc’teryx’s headquarters in Vancouver, BC, Stuart Haselden, CEO of Arc’teryx, outlined a “Global Brand” vision to expand the outdoor brand’s revenues to $5 billion by 2030. Arc’teryx’s sales surpassed $2 billion annually for the first time in 2024. Amer Sports’ overall Technical Apparel segment, led by Arc’teryx and including Peak Performance, recorded sales of $2.19 billion, up 35.9 percent from $1.61 billion in the prior year." To read more, click here.

--Speaking of Arc'teryx, NBC News is reporting that, "Officials in Tibet are investigating after the Canadian outdoor apparel brand Arc’teryx set off fireworks in the Himalayas in a publicity stunt that was widely criticized over its potential impact on the environment. The fireworks display, called the “Ascending Dragon,” was staged Friday by Arc’teryx and the prominent Chinese artist Cai Guo-Qiang at an altitude of about 18,000 feet in the Himalayas, a highly fragile and unstable ecosystem in southwest Tibet, according to Xinhua, China’s state-run news agency." 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

Climbing and Outdoor News from Here and Abroad - 9/18/2025

2025-09-18T06:00:00.000-07:00

Northwest:

--The Oregonian is reporting that, "Lawyers for a 4-year-old girl who suffered a concussion and several broken bones when another skier crashed into her filed a $4.6 million lawsuit last week against Hoodoo Ski Area near Sisters. The litigation is the latest in a string of lawsuits filed against Oregon ski resorts, adding to an intensifying climate of worry for the businesses. To read more, click here.

Sierra:

The Inertia is reporting that, "Yosemite National Park employees vented frustration about working conditions in a report by POLITICO’s E&E News, citing staff cuts, vacant positions amid rising visitation, pressure to mislead the public, and disagreement on park management policies. Federal officials, however, dispute nearly every claim, insisting operations are running smoothly in California’s emblematic granite valley." To read more, click here.

El Cap at Dawn in Yosemite

--Taylor Martin has just established her third solo big wall first ascent in Yosemite. Read more.

Colorado and Utah:

--Business Wire is reporting that, "Today, Alterra Mountain Company, the world’s premier mountain operating company, announces its continued commitment to the guest, employee, and community experience with a capital investment program of over $400 million. The investments are focused on the evolution of Deer Valley Resort in Utah, on-mountain enhancements across the portfolio, and employee benefits." To read more, click here.

Notes from All Over:

--SnowBrains has a great list of the five worst trends in the ski and snowboard industry. Check it out.

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

Climbing and Outdoor News from Here and Abroad - 9/11/2025

2025-09-11T06:00:00.000-07:00

Northwest:

--AAI's 50-year anniversary gear sale, marker's market and mountain festival is this weekend at AAI's headquarters in Bellingham. Learn more.

--A 9-year-old girl has sent a 12a trad route in Squamish. Read about it here.

Sierra:

--Gripped is reporting that, "the National Park Service (NPS) has released the numbers and so far this year is one of the busiest ever in Yosemite National Park. Visitation through August totalled 2,919,722 visits, an increase of 7 per cent compared to the same period in 2024 (2,727,496 visitors). With the exception of February when winter storms limited access, Yosemite’s 2025 monthly visitation numbers have outpaced 2024 numbers every month and the park is on track for one of the busiest years on record." To read more, click here.

Desert Southwest:

--The Nevada Independent is reporting that, "Recently, political leaders gathered for the annual Lake Tahoe Summit, celebrating one of Nevada’s most iconic destinations and discussing the importance of sustainability in outdoor recreation. It’s a conversation our state urgently needs. Nevada’s burgeoning outdoor economy, which sustains thousands of jobs and generates billions of dollars, depends on preserving magnificent places such as Lake Tahoe. But our state now faces a storm of threats that puts this economic activity and Nevada’s most cherished places at risk." To read more, click here.

Colorado and Utah:

--The Inertia is reporting that, "a years-long court battle concluded last week between Vail Resorts and a Colorado skier who was left paralyzed after falling from a chairlift in 2022. The Colorado jury awarded Annie Miller $12.4 million. She was 16 when her accident occurred at Crested Butte, overturning a 2023 decision in court that cited the resort’s liability waiver had absolved the mountain of duty of care and negligence." To read more, click here.

Notes from All Over:

--Gear Junkie is running an article on whether you should by an Icon or Epic pass this year. Read about it, here.

--SFGATE is reporting that, "a speed runner who cut a switchback on a record-breaking sprint up and down the highest peak in Grand Teton National Park last year is guilty, a Wyoming judge ruled Tuesday. Michelino Sunseri, a North Face-sponsored athlete and resident of Driggs, Idaho, has now been convicted of a misdemeanor and faces a fine of up to $5,000 or up to six months in jail. A sentencing hearing hasn’t been set yet, and Sunseri’s lawyers at the Pacific Legal Foundation, a legal organization that focuses on appellate litigation, will likely appeal the verdict." To read more, click here.

--The New York Times is reporting that, "Two months after the July 4 floods that devastated central Texas, Gov. Greg Abbott on Friday signed a package of summer camp safety laws that proponents say would have prevented many deaths in the camps and campgrounds that line the Guadalupe River." To read more, click here.

Upcoming Programs:

Climbing and Outdoor News from Here and Abroad - 8/28/2026

2025-08-28T06:00:00.000-07:00

Northwest:

--The Tri-City Herald is reporting that, "Ross James Wallette, a popular Kennewick photographer, videographer and climbing guide, died Aug. 18 in a fall near the peak of one of the most challenging mountains in Washington’s Cascade Range." To read more, click here.

--Teton Gravity Research is reporting that, "A 50-year-old climber died this past weekend after sustaining severe injuries while descending Mount Shasta (14,162 ft). According to the Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office, the man summited Shasta with a partner on Saturday, August 16, 2025. Shortly after beginning their descent via the Clear Creek Trail, a storm moved in." To read more, click here.

--My Bellingham Now is reporting on the glaciers of Mt. Baker. "A concern among climate change-focused scientists is the size and presence of glaciers. Washington is home to some of the most heavily glaciered mountains in the lower 48 states of the U.S. In an interview with My Bellingham Now, WWU Geology Professor Doug Clark speaks about what he has seen in his decades of observations on Mount Baker." To read more, click here.

--Methow Valley News is reporting that, "to deal with increasing numbers of visitors and resulting congestion, North Cascades National Park Service Complex is exploring ideas like providing shuttles to popular hiking destinations, creating floating campsites on Ross Lake, and relocating some campgrounds and trailheads. The North Cascades National Park Service Complex includes North Cascades National Park, the Ross Lake National Recreation Area (NRA) and the Lake Chelan NRA." To read more, click here.

--Methow Valley News is also reporting that, "Four busy trailhead parking areas on the North Cascades Highway (State Route 20) will be closed temporarily during coming weeks for parking lot and entry road repairs. Work was scheduled to get underway this week, beginning on Monday (Aug. 18), at the Washington Pass Overlook Trail and Bridge Creek Trailhead parking areas, according to an announcement sent out last week by the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest." To read more, click here.

--AAI's 50-Year Anniversary Mountain Fest, Gear Sale, and Maker's Market is coming up on September 13th. Learn more about it, here.

Desert Southwest:

--Climbing is reporting that, "The Ninth Circuit Court granted a temporary injunction just before the planned transfer of Oak Flat to a copper mining company, in a small but meaningful delay in a long legal battle." To read more, click here.

Colorado and Utah:

--Yahoo Finance is reporting that, "Netflix founder Reed Hastings may need to dig himself out of a $75.9 million crevasse at North America’s biggest ski resort. The streaming giant’s former CEO is wrangling with a group of EB-5 investors who say he’s on the hook for unpaid debt tied to Utah’s Powder Mountain, according to a lawsuit filed in Manhattan Supreme Court in April." To read more, click here.

--Gear Junkie is reporting that, "This summer, Utah-based DPS Skis launched an eyebrow-raising expansion of its resale program. Instead of just repairing its own skis for online credit, the small company will now issue credits for a used ski of any brand." To read more click here.

Notes from All Over:

--The Livingston Enterprise is reporting that, "A helicopter from Central Copters based in Belgrade rescued an injured 52-year-old male climber from Arizona on the southwest slope of Granite Peak on Aug. 16. With a elevation of 12,807 feet, Granite Peak, situated in the Beartooth Range within the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness, is the highest point in Montana." To read more, click here.

--From the Daily Beast: "President Donald Trump mused Thursday about turning D.C.’s national parks into golf clubs while meeting with police and military personnel at his war-on-crime spectacle in the capital. 'One of the things we are going to be redoing is your parks,' the president said as he spoke from the U.S. Park Police’s Anacostia Operations Facility in Washington, D.C. 'I’m very good at grass because I have a lot of golf courses all over the place. I know more about grass than any human being I think anywhere in the world.'" To read more, click here.

--Outside is reporting that, "after AI failed to generate an image of a Black surfer, David Mesfin set out to change how technology sees people of color in the outdoors." To read more, click here.

--Backpacker is reporting that, "More than half of people in the U.S. recreated outdoors in 2024 according to a new report from the Outdoor Industry Association, with Black and Hispanic participants driving the biggest gains." To read more, click here.

Upcoming Programs:

Climbing and Outdoor News from Here and Abroad - 8/21/25

2025-08-21T06:00:00.000-07:00

Northwest:

--Bugaboo Provincial Park and the access trail have been flooded. This resulted in a helicopter rescue of over thirty climbers from the Park. It is now closed and there is no timeline for reopening. To read about it, click here.

Yak Peak

--North Shore Rescue recently completed a complicated rescue on Canada's Yak Check, a 5.10a route on Yak Peak an hour from the US border in British Columbia. To read about it, click here.

--KRCR is reporting that, "A mountain climber has been found and rescued from Mount Shasta after sustaining major injuries from a fall. On Saturday, August 16, dispatchers received a call from a climber on the Clear Creek Trail about his 50-year-old hiking partner missing, the Siskiyou County Sheriff's Office announced. The two were returning to their base camp successfully summitting the mountain earlier that morning, and at approximately 11,000 ft elevation, they became disoriented when they could not locate the campsite. The person who called the dispatchers was able to find the camp, but his climbing partner did not." To read more, click here.

--A couple of adventurous climbers put up a new route in the Darrington Area. They've put a route report for their line, Gardening on Salvia (5.7 A2+), on Cascadeclimbers.

Sierra:

--Climbing and many others are reporting that, "Last Tuesday, Yosemite wildlife biologist Shannon 'SJ' Joslin was called into a meeting with Danika Globokar, acting deputy superintendent of Yosemite National Park. A law enforcement ranger was also present. Dr. Joslin, who holds a PhD in genomics, soon found out why. Globokar handed them a letter, which said that the Yosemite bat expert was being terminated for 'failure to demonstrate acceptable conduct' because they had helped fly a trans pride flag on El Capitan on May 20." To read more, click here.

--Newsweek is reporting that, "Ryan Wardwell, 46, of Long Beach, California, was rescued last week after he became trapped behind a waterfall at the Seven Teacups area near the North Fork of the Kern River. The Tulare County Sheriff's Office said Wardwell was trapped for two days before being rescued on August 12. Wardwell told deputies that he had come off his rappel lines and got stuck behind the waterfall because of the extreme hydraulics of the river." To read more, click here.

Desert Southwest:

--The Desert Sun is reporting that, "If you're headed to Joshua Tree National Park at the end of August, add a little extra driving time. The heavily used west entrance from the town of Joshua Tree will be closed to inbound and outbound traffic beginning 6 a.m. Aug. 25 through 6 p.m. Aug. 29. Visitors must instead enter or exit the park via Twentynine Palms using the north entrance station, or the Cottonwood entrance at the park’s south boundary." To read more, click here.

Colorado and Utah:

--The Denver Post is reporting that, "Rocky Mountain National Park rangers rescued an injured climber who fell while scaling one of the national park’s mountains Sunday morning. The climber fell from the south face of Petit Grepon in Rocky Mountain National Park, injuring his lower leg, according to a news release from the park service." To read more, click here.

--Summit Daily News is reporting that, "Mountain Rescue Aspen has successfully rescued a climber on Capitol Peak after they were reported “overdue” by the other member of their party. Pitkin County Regional Emergency Dispatch received the initial 911 call reporting the climber at approximately 6:52 p.m., Friday, Aug. 15. The reporting party, referred to as 'Climber A' in a press release, stated that after reaching the Capitol-Daly saddle, they and their partner, 'Climber B,' decided to separate. While Climber A remained behind, Climber B continued toward the summit." To read more, click here.

--It's being reported that one of Indian Creek's biggest route developers has been banned from the area for a year. Why? He's been camping there too long. Read more at Climbing.

Notes from All Over:

The Sourdough Fire on Diablo Lake in the North Cascades in 2023.

--The New York Times has published an extensive article about the use of masks in wildfire fighting. Those working in the US seldom use -- or even have access to -- masks that strain out fine particulates. The result? Many wildland firefighters are struggling with serious lung issues, including cancer. And many more have died from complications related to their firefighting work. To read the article, click here.

Upcoming Programs:

Climbing and Outdoor News from Here and Abroad - 9/14/2025

2025-08-14T06:00:00.000-07:00

Northwest:

--a 30-year-old from North Carolina drowned in glacier-fed Colchuck Lake under Dragontail Peak and Colchuck Peak last week. To read more, click here.

--SnowBrains is reporting that, "on August 10, a solo climber was seriously injured in a fall on Mount Shasta, California’s upper Avalanche Gulch, a notoriously steep section near Redbanks at approximately 13,000 feet, according to a social post from the United States Forest Service (USFS). While descending, the man lost control during a glissade (a rapid snow slide technique) and his ice axe was ripped from his grasp. Unable to slow himself, he tumbled several hundred vertical feet, sustaining a leg fracture and multiple scrapes and lacerations, rendering him immobile." To read more, click here.

--Embarrassingly, a backcountry singer was thought to be someone screaming and was reported to a SAR team in British Columbia. To read more, click here.

--A new multi-pitch line has gone up near Hannegan Pass in the North Cascades. Check it out, here.

--The Seattle Times is reporting on the serious impacts that cuts to ranger patrols are having on the Enchantments. To read about it, click here.

Desert Southwest:

--Crews are in the process of evaluating all the damage from a recent wildfire in Joshua Tree National park. To read about it, click here.

Colorado and Utah:

--The Aspen Times is reporting that, "At approximately 10:18 a.m. on Saturday, Pitkin County Dispatch received an emergency alert via a satellite communication device reporting that a climber had fallen an estimated 15–20 feet just north of the summit of Snowmass Mountain, according to a press release from the Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office. Other climbers in the area quickly rendered aid and determined the individual was unable to self-rescue due to sustained injuries." To read more, click here.

--Unofficial Networks is reporting that, "The Clear Creek County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed the agency helped rescue an injured skier at St. Mary’s Glacier, a semi-permanent snowfield located in Arapaho National Forest, on Monday, August 11th." To read more, click here.

--SnowBrains is reporting that, "Solitude Mountain Resort is eyeing a November 14 opening day, kicking off a 100-day countdown to the 2025-26 ski season. Despite the sweltering summer heat in the Salt Lake Valley with temperatures currently hovering around 100ºF, the Big Cottonwood Canyon resort is already turning its focus toward early winter." To read more, click here.

Notes from All Over

--SnowBrains is reporting that, "Former professional snowboarder and two-time U.S. Open champion Rahm Klampert has been indicted on multiple federal drug trafficking and firearms charges, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Vermont announced. A federal grand jury returned the indictment July 31, accusing Klampert, 45, of Hartford, Vermont, of possessing with intent to distribute methamphetamine, cocaine and fentanyl. Prosecutors say the charges stem from a June 20 search of his home and personal training business, Rahm’s Results, where investigators reported finding about 1.1 kilograms of methamphetamine, 1.5 kilograms of cocaine, and 75 grams of fentanyl." That's a lot of drugs. To read more, click here.

A youth climber at a USA Climbing event.

--Climbing just published a piece on why USA Climbing elected to ban trans women climbers from competition. Read it here.

Upcoming Programs:

Climbing and Outdoor News from Here and Abroad - 8/7/2025

2025-08-07T06:00:00.000-07:00

Northwest:

--A Pacific Northwest Climber made his way over dozens of mountains in a 175-mile trek from Baker to Glacier Peak. Check it out.

Dragontail and Colchuck Peak

in the Stuart Range of Washington State.

--A new big route was put up on Dragontail Peak this week. At 5.11+, New Dark Ages took two summers and several trips to complete. See a description here.

Sierra:

--As a community, we really need to be wary of the glorification of free soloing. We are not against it, but we worry about people, especially very young people, who make the decision to free solo and then don't come back. This is a complicated topic and one that should continue to be discussed in our community. Read this piece about an 18-year-old soloist who we lost in Yosemite...

--A new free climbing (as in the act of free climbing) guidebook for Yosemite is set to hit stores soon. Check out this article about the book.

Desert Southwest:

--LAist is reporting that, "Crews at Joshua Tree National Park have begun to survey damages to its namesake plant in the wake of the latest wildfire that has burned more about 200 acres in an area known as a "refuge" of sorts for the tree. As of Saturday afternoon, the Eureka Fire is at 40% contained, according to fire authorities." To read more, click here.

Colorado and Utah:

--The Denver Post is reporting that, "A climber died Tuesday after falling from a mountainous route in Summit County, stranding two others, according to the sheriff’s office. The three-person climbing group was scaling the “Hasta la Vista Amichi” route near Officers Gulch at about 11 a.m. Tuesday, north of Copper Mountain on Interstate 70, according to a news release from the Summit County Sheriff’s Office. That’s when one of them fell." To read more, click here.

--The Boulder County Sheriff's Office reported that, "On July 30 at approximately 8:30 a.m., the Boulder County Communications Center received a phone call reporting a fallen climber in Eldorado Canyon State Park near the climbing area of the Red Garden Wall and Yellow Spur. The person who called dispatch said they heard what sounded to be a person in pain from a nearby location. They found a climber who had fallen and needed assistance." To read more, click here.

--The Solitude Ski Patrol Union (SSPU) announced this week that it secured and approved an “industry-leading” contract with Solitude Mountain Resort after eight months of negotiations that spanned two winters. A social media post from the SSPU says the contract earned 100 percent approval from its bargaining unit, which marks a major milestone for the first ski patrol to unionize under Alterra ownership. The Colorado-based conglomerate purchased Solitude in 2018 and currently owns 12 North American resorts, including Palisades Tahoe, Steamboat, Mammoth Mountain, and others." To read more, click here.

Notes from All Over:

--5 WDTV is reporting on an accident in West Virginia: "Crews performed a helicopter rescue on Saturday after a rock climber fell off of Seneca Rocks. A rescue team from Pendleton County was dispatched around 2:20 p.m. to a remote area of Seneca Rocks, where a rock climber fell and was injured, according to The Maryland State Police Aviation Command." To read more, click here.

--10 WBNS in Columbus, Ohio is reporting that, "A rescue unfolded Tuesday afternoon at Quarry Trails Metro Park after a climber became stranded nearly 100 feet above the water on a natural rock wall. Park officials say the woman was participating in a guided climbing program when she froze near a rope bridge on the wall and was unable to move either up or down." To read more, click here.

--Buckrail is reporting that, " A mountain climber was rescued from the Grand Teton last week after becoming injured, according to the Jenny Lake Rangers. At about 3:15 p.m. on July 31, the Jenny Lake Rangers were contacted to assist a climber with a broken ankle on the Upper Exum Ridge, estimated to be 13,100 feet in elevation, the agency posted to Instagram. The rescue mission was complicated by severe thunderstorms, and by the fact that the Teton County Search and Rescue helicopter was 'unavailable for a mechanical issue,' the post reads." To read more, click here.

--Teton Gravity Research is reporting that, "The U.S. ski industry logged 61.5 million skier visits during the 2024–25 winter season, according to data released by the National Ski Areas Association (NSAA). That’s a 1.7% increase over the previous season and marks the second-highest total since the NSAA began tracking skier visits back in 1978." To read more, click here.

--SnowBrains is reporting that, "Bridger Bowl Ski Area in Montana is dealing with the aftermath of a rainstorm that struck the evening of July 29, triggering small landslides and deep erosion across the mountain. While no injuries or major infrastructure damage have been reported, the resort is urging visitors to use caution due to unstable terrain that could still give way to rockslides." To read more, click here.

Upcoming Programs:

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

2025-07-24T06:00:00.000-07:00

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:

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

2025-07-17T06:00:00.000-07:00

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:

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

2025-07-10T06:00:00.000-07:00

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...!

Upcoming Programs:

PUBLIC LANDS AT RISK IN NEW SENATE BILL!

2025-06-20T06:26:00.000-07:00

RED ALERT - MAJOR PORTION OF US PUBLIC LANDS AT RISK: ACT NOW!!!

--From the Outdoor Alliance: "Last week, the Senate released text of a major spending package, which included a proposal to sell off about 3 million acres of public land. Today, Outdoor Alliance released a map showing that nearly 300 million acres of public lands could be open for these proposed sales, an area that includes nearly 100,000 miles of trails, 8,232 climbing areas, and 3,405 river miles across the West."

--A map of the lands considered for sale can be found here. Note that the sale would include iconic places in Washington like Washington Pass, including the Liberty Bell Group, the forest on Mt. Baker Highway, and the forest around Baker lake. Massive swaths of land in Oregon, California, Nevada and Utah...including many valleys with ski resorts.

--What you can do:

Write your senators and congress people using one of these tools: Outdoor Alliance Tool. Access Fund Tool.
Note that even if you expect your senators to vote against this, they track calls and emails. The more input they get, the more focused they are on a given topic. It's important to do this.

Public Lands for Sale in Senate Bill.

Climbing and Outdoor News from Here and Abroad - 6/19/2025

2025-06-19T06:00:00.000-07:00

RED ALERT - MAJOR PORTION OF US PUBLIC LANDS AT RISK: ACT NOW!!!

Write your senators and congress people using one of these tools: Outdoor Alliance Tool. Access Fund Tool.
Note that even if you expect your senators to vote against this, they track calls and emails. The more input they get, the more focused they are on a given topic. It's important to do this.

Public Lands for Sale in Senate Bill.

Northwest:

--Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest sent out a notice stating that, "Beginning June 21, Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest will transition to primarily cashless collections for day and annual passes utilizing credit or debit cards at ranger stations, visitor centers, and trailheads and day use sites on the Forest. The Forest will be implementing a scan and pay option using a QR code at all trailheads and recreation sites across the forest where a day use fee is required. To use scan and pay, visitors should download the recreation.gov app on their phone for use offline at sites on the forest where cellular connectivity may be poor or non-existent. Scan and pay will work offline if visitors have already installed the app. Visitors may use scan and pay or the Northwest Forest Day Pass, Northwest Forest Pass Annual Pass, or America the Beautiful Pass at all sites requiring a fee." To read more, click here.

--The Seattle Times is reporting that it could be a tough wildfire season. There are already several fires. Read about it, here.

Desert Southwest:

--Climbing is reporting that, "a week before the release of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) that would trigger the imminent transfer of 2,522 acres of Oak Flat to an international mining company, a federal judge has temporarily halted the land exchange." To read more, click here.

Colorado and Utah:

--SnowBrains is reporting that, "On Saturday, June 14, at approximately 10:30 a.m., the Boulder County Communications Center received reports of a skier suffering serious injuries following a fall near the Skywalker Couloir on South Arapahoe Peak, west of Nederland, Colorado." To read more, click here.

--Backpacker is reporting that, "search teams hoisted two hikers off the summit of a Colorado fourteener after a lightning strike badly injured one of them on Thursday, in what rescuers believe may be the highest-altitude helicopter evacuation in state history." To read more, click here.

Alaska:

--Alaska Public Media is reporting that, "A Washington skier died on Denali Tuesday evening, after rangers say he triggered an avalanche that caught and carried him more than 1,500 feet down the mountain. Denali National Park and Preserve officials said in a statement that Nicholas Vizzini, 29, was the skier killed in the slide. He is the second person to die on the mountain in just over a week." To read more, click here.

AAI Teams on Denali.

--AAI's Team Six made the summit of Denali on June 15th. AAI's Team Seven is prepping for an attempt. Read about it here.

--Gripped is reporting that, "American alpinist Balin Miller has soloed the Slovak Direct, a difficult alpine line that climbs to the right of the Cassin Ridge on Denali. There have been less than 20 ascents of the test-piece climb and this is the first solo on record. The grade of the 2,700-metre route has been documented in the American Alpine Journal as VI, 5.9X, M6+, WI6, A2." To read more, click here.

Notes from All Over:

--Yahoo Finance is reporting that, "VF Corp-owned The North Face said that names and email addresses were among the data accessed in the cyberattack. The company assured that no payment card information was compromised as card details such as numbers, CVVs, and expiry dates are processed by a third party and are not stored on The North Face's website." To read more, click here.

Upcoming Programs:

Climbing and Outdoor News from Here and Abroad - 6/5/2025

2025-06-05T06:00:00.000-07:00

Northwest:

--There were three rescues back-to-back on Mt. Baker last week. Read about them here.

--A climber was rescued after breaking his ankle on Leavenworth's Outer Space (5.9, III) on Friday. Read more here.

Sierra:

--Unoffical Networks is reporting that, "Yesterday, Mammoth announced its closing date for the 2024-25 season. Mammoth will remain open daily until June 15th, with the lifts operating hours being 7:30 am-1 pm." To read more, click here.

El Capitan in Yosemite Valley

--Gripped is reporting that, "bear spray is banned in California’s national parks, unlike many U.S. parks where it’s recommended for safety. This decision has sparked debate among hikers and conservationists, particularly as black bear populations flourish in places like Yosemite, Sequoia, and Kings Canyon National Parks. While the absence of grizzly bears may justify the ban, it leaves visitors uncertain about protecting themselves during black bear encounters." To read more, click here.

Colorado and Utah:

--Powder is reporting that, "Late last week, a team of rescuers extracted an injured skier from the Colorado backcountry who had fallen 200 feet while skiing on Torreys Peak, according to a social media post published by Alpine Rescue Team, a unit that responds to outdoor emergencies throughout the state. The skier fell from near the top of the Emperor Couloir on the north side of the 14,267-foot peak, injuring their lower leg and coming to rest above a cliff band, Alpine Rescue Team wrote." To read more, click here.

--Surf Eat Shop x Outdoors is reporting that, "Vail Resorts CEO Kirsten Lynch is stepping down and former CEO and Executive Chairperson Rob Katz will succeed her. 'As Vail Resorts continues to execute its strategic priorities and transformational initiatives, the board believes now is the right time for this leadership transition,' said Bruce Sewell, lead independent director of the board, in a statement." To read more, click here.

--And in more Vail news, SnowBrains is reporting that, "Former Vail Resorts Chief Executive Officer Kirsten Lynch will receive over $2.2 million in severance and other benefits as part of her departure agreement with the company, according to recently filed documents with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission." To read more, click here.

Alaska:

--A number of AAI Teams are currently on Denali. Check out how they're doing, here!

Notes from All Over:

--New Hampshire Fish and Game is reporting that, "at 2:35 p.m. on June 1, 2025, the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department was notified of an injured rock climber at the Rumney Rocks Climbing Area on the White Mountain National Forest in Rumney. The climber, Alanna Tempest, 30, of New York, NY, had suffered a lower-leg injury that prevented her from being able to hike down the access trails safely to reach the parking areas. First responders from the Rumney Fire Department, Plymouth Fire Rescue, Wentworth Fire Department, Campton-Thornton Fire Rescue and Conservation Officers with the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department arrived in Rumney to assist in moving Tempest safely to the parking area." To read more, click here.

--Three people fell off waterfalls last week.

--The Himalyan Times is reporting that, "a Ukrainian-American climber, who reportedly made the fastest ascent of Mt Everest after flying from New York to Nepal, has been detained for illegally carrying a large sum of undeclared foreign currency. Andrew Ushakov, a client of Elite Exped, owned by controversial climber Nirmal 'Nims' Purja was arrested by the Department of Revenue Investigation (DRI) after being found with a huge amount of undeclared US dollars." To read more, click here.

Upcoming Programs:

Climbing and Outdoor News from Here and Abroad - 5/29/2025

2025-05-29T06:00:00.000-07:00

Northwest:

--Gripped is reporting that, "a 22-year-old Canadian woman died on Saturday after a highlining accident at Chek Canyon north of Squamish. The International Slackline Association (ISA) said the fatal fall happened after she “forgot to re-tie” her safety leash, resulting in an 80-metre fall." To read more, click here.

The common approach to Forbidden Peak is from Boston Basin.

--The Boston Basin area of the North Cascades National Park is temporarily closed due to bear activity. There is a sow with cubs in the area. Read more.

--KOMO News is reporting that, "The Washington State Department of Natural Resources is actively responding to the Second Creek Fire, located nearly eight miles north of Leavenworth." Read more, here.

--AAI's James Pierson was interviewed on KUOW/NPR about the recent tragedy in Washington Pass. You can hear his interview here.

Sierra:

--Gripped has rounded up all the high end climbing achievements from Yosemite in the last month. Check out their article, here.

--Climbing is reporting that, "on the morning of May 20, seven trans climbers and allies in Yosemite unfolded a 66’-by-35’ trans pride flag about one third of the way up El Capitan. For about two hours, the climbers opened the pink and blue flag for public display above Heart Ledges, about 1,000 feet above the ground. The flag billowed 15 to 20 feet away from the wall and did not block access to any routes." To read more, click here.

Colorado and Utah:

--The Colorado Springs Fire Department rescued a climber in the Garden of the Gods this week. To read about it, click here.

Alaska:

Denali

--AAI has several teams in the Alaska Range right now. Read about them, here.

Notes from All Over:

--Rocky Mountain Outlook is reporting that, "A 34-year-old Lake Louise resident died in a skiing accident near Moraine Lake in the backcountry of Banff National Park on Tuesday morning (May 27). RCMP said Parks Canada received a call at about 7 a.m. of a female skier falling a 'considerable distance.'" To read more, click here.

--15 WMTV is reporting that, "A climber was airlifted to UW Hospital from Devils Lake State Park on Sunday after falling about 20-30 feet, the Baraboo Area Fire and EMS District reported on Monday. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resouces and other climbers helped Baraboo officials reach the individual, who was found in a remote area that was only accessible by going through the park’s steep and rocky trails." To read more, click here.

--The New York Times and others are reporting on an unprecedented ascent of Mt. Everest: "Climbing Mount Everest typically takes weeks, with most of that time spent at the foot of the mountain adjusting to the thin air. But four British men last week shrank that timeline dramatically, traveling from London to the summit and back in less than a week, according to the organizer of their expedition. They skipped the adjustment period, in part, by inhaling a secret weapon: xenon gas." To read more, click here.

Upcoming Programs:

--Outdoor Sportswire is reporting that, "following an outcry of public opposition to the idea of public-land selloffs, a massive spending bill that passed the house this morning saw proposals to sell more than 500,000 acres of public land removed from the legislation. Amidst meetings over the last few days with lawmakers from both sides of the aisle, there was a flurry of outreach to legislators from the outdoor community — including more than 100,000 letters to lawmakers from Outdoor Alliance — public sentiment that was crucial to the removal of those proposals." To read more, click here.

Climbing and Outdoor News from Here and Abroad - 5/15/2025

2025-05-15T06:00:00.000-07:00

Northwest:

--Climbing and many others are reporting on an accident that took the lives of three people in Washington Pass. "On Saturday, May 10, three climbers were killed in a rappelling accident in Washington Pass’s Liberty Bell Group. A fourth member of the team narrowly survived the incident and is currently hospitalized." It appears that this was the result of an anchor failure involving in a piton during a rappel. Read more.

The Liberty Bell Massif: North Early Winter Spire

is the second faint peak from the left.

--A go-fund-me has been set up for the loss of one of these climbers.

--ABC News is reporting that, "Trump administration funding cuts and a loss of federal workers who help support wildland firefighting continues to make planning for the upcoming wildfire season a challenge, according to forest and fire officials in Washington state and Oregon. The biggest issue they’re facing is a lack of communication from the federal government as the West faces “a pretty significant wildland fire season," Washington State Forester George Geissler said Thursday during a press conference hosted by Democratic Sens. Patty Murray of Washington and Jeff Merkley of Oregon." To read more, click here.

--My Bellingham Now is reporting that, "Mt. Baker Ski Area President and CEO Gwyn Howat announced in a video update that she’s stepping back after finishing up her 34th year at the mountain. 'As I knock on 60, the work-life balance thing starts to get pretty real,' Howat said in the video. 'So I’m going to be shifting my role here at Mount Baker and trimming back some hours so that I can spend more time with friends and family and on the water chasing waves and pursuing some of my own personal interests.'" To read more, click here.

--My Bellingham Now is reporting that, "a Whatcom Superior Court jury has found a Seattle man guilty of 2nd degree murder for killing his brother in North Cascades National Park. John Thomson was originally charged with first degree murder for shooting his brother Robert Thomson to death near Diablo Lake in August 2022." To read more, click here.

Click to Enlarge: This is a good annual warning about

hazard in the Enchantments at Asgard Pass.

Sierra:

--SF Gate is reporting on a skier that fell down the Eastern Sierra's "Bloody Couloir," near Mammoth Lakes. Read about it here.

--There's a new Yosemite guidebook out!

--Mammoth Mountain intends to run its lifts through June.

Desert Southwest:

--The NPCA is reporting that, "in a split vote this week, the House Natural Resources Committee advanced a controversial amendment to the budget reconciliation bill that could force the disposal of thousands of acres of public land in Nevada and Utah, including those directly adjacent to Zion National Park. Rushed through without public or local community input or environmental review, this reckless proposal threatens to cut off access to public lands, remove critical protections for natural and cultural resources, and hand over public lands to state or private interests." To read more, click here.

Colorado and Utah:

--The Colorado Sun is reporting that, "a 32-year-old snowboarder who fell from a chairlift at Keystone ski area in December has died of his injuries. Donovan Romero, of Littleton, died May 2, according to the Summit County coroner. Romero fell from the Ruby Express chairlift Dec. 11 near the third tower. He momentarily hung from the armrest of the chairlift before falling an estimated 47 feet, according to a statement from the Colorado Passenger Tramway Safety Board." To read more, click here.

Alaska:

--AAI's first team has made it successfully onto Denali. They are currently making their way slowly up the mountain. To read updates on their expedition, click here.

AAI Denali Team 1

--Gripped is reporting on a new route that AAI Guide Tad McRea was involved in: "over several days at the end of April, Anna Pfaff, Andres Marin and Tad McCrea made the first ascent of the south face of Mount Providence in the Alaska Range. Their new 1,000-metre route is called Journey Through the Castle of Providence and graded WI4 M5 5.10 with steep snow. It follows a direct route to the summit. The first ascent team first spotted the line in 2024 from the Thunder Glacier." To read more, click here.

Notes from All Over:

--Gear Junkie is reporting that, "The REI Co-op today revealed the results of its annual election to fill seats on its board of directors, and supporters of co-op workers’ union efforts are claiming a major victory. Despite REI’s nominating and governance committee approving three candidates put forth by co-op leadership (two incumbents and one new director) and leaving two union-backed candidates off the ballot, none of REI’s nominees received enough votes to win election to the board." To read more, click here.

--Speaking of REI, Yahoo Finance is reporting that, "REI Co-op on Tuesday announced broad financial results from 2023, including a widening loss and a dip in revenues. In tandem with the release of its annual Impact Report, the outdoor retailer said it closed 2023 with $3.76 billion in net sales, which represented a 2.4 percent decrease from 2022. Net loss in 2023 was $311 million, which widened from a net loss of $164.71 million in 2022. The company said this loss was the combined result of investments in employee pay, member rewards and a $169 million non-cash valuation allowance, which REI said will be helpful when it returns to profitability." To read more, click here.

--Shop Eat Surf X Outdoors is reporting that, "The latest tariff rate reduction on products from China are a reprieve, but they’re still too high – and ongoing trade policy uncertainty is making it difficult to plan, forecast, budget and strategize for the future, according to surf and outdoor brand leaders." To read more, click here.

--KPCW is reporting that, "Preliminary data from the National Ski Areas Association (NSAA) indicates that the 2024-25 season saw the second-highest visitation on record at U.S. ski areas.

A total of 61.5 million skier visits represents a 1.7% increase over the previous season. But according to the National Ski Areas Association, the number trails the record-setting 2022-23 season by 3.9 million visits, or just under 6%." To read more, click here.

Upcoming Programs:

Climbing and Outdoor News from Here and Abroad - 5/1/2025

2025-04-30T08:18:00.000-07:00

Northwest:

--Lynnwood Times is reporting that, "Around 3 p.m. Saturday afternoon, a 911 call came into dispatch reporting that a climber had fallen from a cliff wall near the town of Index, close to the Upper Town Wall. Sky Valley Fire was first on scene as this was in their jurisdiction, and technical rescue personnel from Snohomish Regional Fire & Rescue and Snohomish County Fire District 4 were dispatched to support the high-angle rescue." To read more, click here.

--SnowBrains is reporting on some people that will likely face karma: "Police are asking residents to be on the lookout after nearly $10,000 worth of search and rescue and avalanche recovery gear was stolen from a vehicle parked outside a hotel on Recplace Drive, Prince George, British Columbia, on April 11. The theft, which occurred overnight in the 2900-block parking lot, has left local authorities concerned about the loss of critical safety equipment and its potential misuse in the community." To read more, click here.

Sierra:

--SF Gate is reporting that, "a jury in Mammoth Lakes convicted a prominent California professional climber and snowboarder from Yosemite Valley last week of three felonies and one misdemeanor for domestic violence. The convictions were tied to a 2023 attack against an ex-girlfriend, the Mono County District Attorney’s office confirmed." To read more, click here.

--Backpacker reported the following last week: "Beginning on April 25, Yosemite Valley’s backpackers campground will close to visitors, routing many hikers who would have stayed there to the Valley’s crowded Camp 4 instead and bringing the total number of shuttered backpackers campgrounds in the park this year to two, with a third scheduled for a delayed opening." To read more, click here.

Desert Southwest:

--The Nevada Independent is reporting that, "Friends of Red Rock Canyon recently purchased adaptive equipment-accessible gates that have been installed at three trailheads off Highway 159 so that those with disabilities can use specially designed trail equipment to explore some of the canyon’s more remote areas." To read more, click here.

Colorado and Utah:

--The Park Record is reporting that, "A 63-year-old man is facing a second-degree felony stemming from an incident at Deer Valley Resort last month. Last week, the Summit County Attorney’s Office charged Paul H. Kauffman of Connecticut with aggravated assault. Charging documents accuse Kauffman of tackling a male skier from Arizona after a “short verbal argument” in mid-March. Kauffman alleged he was cut off by a different skier in the man’s party." To read more, click here.

Notes from All Over:

--8 WGL is reporting on a climbing accident in Pennsylvania: "A rock climber was flown to the hospital after falling onto a rock ledge at Susquehanna Riverlands State Park in York County, according to the Wrightsville Fire Department. The fire department said the man fell 15 feet onto the ledge on Sunday around 11:45 a.m." To read more, click here.

--Shop Eat Surf X Outdoor is reporting that, "Black Diamond Equipment announced its new pricing structure on Thursday to wholesale and direct-to-consumer customers due to the new tariffs put in place by the Trump administration, and SESO spoke with President Neil Fiske to find out more about the assumptions behind Black Diamond’s pricing strategy." To read more, click here.

--We recently interviewed Lisa Roderick about her new book, A Place Among Giants. Lisa was the Denali basecamp manager for 22-years, and in that time witnessed everything mountaineering could bring, triumph, tragedy, comedy and love. Check out our interview below:

--The Montana Free Press is reporting that, "The U.S. Department of the Interior, which manages more than 480 million acres of federal land across the country, has pledged to “implement emergency permitting procedures” to facilitate fossil fuel and critical mineral development. The department described its revised energy development directive as an effort to expedite permitting timelines so reviews that typically take several months or years can be reduced “to just weeks,” according to a press release the department issued April 23." To read more, click here.

--Unnofficial Networks is reporting that, "Denali National Park and Preserve has opened the Park Road to private vehicles as far as the Teklanika Rest Area at Mile 30 as of Friday, April 25. Low snow levels and warmer weather have assisted in the spring road crew’s effort to clear and open the Denali Park Road, though visitors should be aware that they may still encounter snow, ice, and mud on the road." To read more, click here.

Upcoming Programs:

Climbing and Outdoor News from Here and Abroad - 4/24/25

2025-04-24T06:00:00.000-07:00

Northwest:

--SF Gate is reporting that, "The northwest corner of Mount Rainier National Park became inaccessible on Monday after Washington officials shut down the only bridge leading to that area of the park. They closed the bridge after an inspection revealed deterioration of the steel supports, according to an announcement from the Washington State Department of Transportation, and now, engineers must conduct a weekslong evaluation to determine what repairs are necessary." To read more, click here.

--It appears unlikely that the reintroduction of grizzly bears in North Cascades National Park will take place during the current presidential administration. To read more, click here.

--The American Alpine Institute partnered with Wander Brewing to create a beer that would celebrate our company's 50-year history. They came up with Alpine Legacy, a west coast IPA that is awesome. You can purchase some at our shop, or here.

--Shop Eat Surf X Outdoors is reporting that, "Mountain Equipment Company (MEC) could be returning to a Canadian owner if Canada’s Competition Bureau approves an offer from Tim Gu, the president of textile manufacturer E.Star International and the principal owner of Smart Investment Ltd., a real estate investment firm. When reached by the Globe and Mail newspaper, Gu said approvals are still in the works." To read more, click here.

--AAI will be hosting the REEL Rock Film Tour on Friday, April 25 and Saturday, April 26. Doors open at 6:30. Games and prizes at 7:00, and movies at 7:30! Learn more.

Sierra:

--SnowBrains is reporting that the "I-see-dead-people" kid/man got arrested at Mammoth: "Haley Joel Osment, the actor who rose to fame as a child in “The Sixth Sense,” was arrested on April 8 at Mammoth Mountain Ski Area in California for alleged public intoxication and possession of a controlled substance, authorities confirmed this week. The 37-year-old was taken into custody after police responded to reports of “unruly conduct” in the Mill Base Lodge parking lot, where ski patrol had detained him until officers arrived around 2 p.m. local time." To read more, click here.

Desert Southwest:

--107 Coyote Country is reporting that, "Save Red Rock, a local nonprofit dedicated to protecting the Red Rock Canyon area, is urging the public to help address growing safety concerns on SR-159 by reporting unauthorized commercial truck activity. Known as Red Rock Canyon Road, the narrow two-lane highway has seen an increase in large truck traffic, raising hazards for cyclists and recreational users." To read more, click here.

Colorado and Utah:

--The Daily Camera is reporting that, "Emergency personnel rescued a climber Tuesday night who fell 15 feet down a rock face in Eldorado Canyon State Park in Boulder County. At about 6:45 p.m. Tuesday, Boulder County dispatch received a report of a fallen climber on the Wind Tower, a climbing area in the state park, according to Mountain View Fire Rescue spokesman Rick Tillery." To read more, click here.

Notes from All Over:

--West Virginia Eyewitness News is reporting that, "a rock climber who fell several feet had to be rescued first responders Sunday in Nicholas County. Firefighters with the Wilderness Volunteer Fire Department said they were called to the Zero Buttress Climbing Wall along the Meadow River in the Mount Lookout area about 3:30 p.m. after a climber had fallen, according to a news release." To read more, click here.

--Boston.com is reporting that, "A 39-year-old man skiing at the Black Mountain ski area in Jackson, New Hampshire, died Sunday after he went off a trail and crashed, authorities announced. The skier was identified as Eric Page of Bartlett, New Hampshire, according to Jackson police." To read more, click here.

--Surf Eat Shop x Outdoors is reporting that, "Brands are pausing shipments from China hoping the tariff dispute will be resolved as they scramble to remerchandise and narrow lines, and make plans to potentially cancel fall shipments because of the millions of dollars in fees that would be owed at U.S. ports." To read more, click here.

--There are a number of other tariff articles out there. Here are a few: Climbing magazine, How Not To, and Outside.

--The National Parks Conservation Association is reporting that, "the White House shared its intent to rescind the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) Public Lands Rule, a clarifying policy that brought long-overdue balance between conservation and extractive use in public lands management. This announcement threatens public land access and use by all user groups and could roll back protections and restoration efforts for some of the most celebrated landscapes in the country, including more than 80 national parks that are directly adjacent to BLM-managed lands." To read more, click here.

--Surf Eat Shop x Outdoors is reporting that, "the Conservation Alliance’s Brands for Public Lands Group, consisting of more than 60 brands, retailers, and other stakeholders is just getting started with two letters to legislators. But with political polarization at an all-time high, some companies are proceeding with caution." To read more, click here.

--Outside is reporting that, "he bikes, backpacks, tents, and other outdoor gear on our wishlists are about to get more expensive—a result of America’s burgeoning trade war. That’s the consensus of outdoor industry experts who spoke to Outside. As trade debates evolve and escalate on a daily basis, instability is the only constant right now in the outdoor industry, and sources told Outside that we are entering perhaps the most volatile and unpredictable period for businesses in recent memory." To read more, click here.

Upcoming Programs:

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

2025-04-17T06:00:00.000-07:00

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:

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

2025-03-27T06:00:00.000-07:00

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:

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

2025-03-20T06:00:00.000-07:00

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:

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

2025-03-13T06:00:00.000-07:00

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:

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

2025-03-06T06:00:00.000-08:00

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:

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

2025-02-27T06:00:00.000-08:00

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.

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Heuristic Traps and Risk Management

2025-02-24T06:00:00.000-08:00

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

Climbing and Outdoor News from Here and Abroad - 2/20/2025

2025-02-20T06:00:00.000-08:00

Northwest:

--CBS News is reporting that, "An avalanche in Oregon's Cascade Mountains killed two backcountry skiers and a third was found dead in an avalanche field near South Lake Tahoe in California, authorities said." To read more, click here.

Sierra:

--Gripped is reporting that, "Yosemite National Park has halted a plan to make its timed-entry reservation system permanent. The new Trump administration’s Interior Secretary, Doug Burgum, has put on hold all federal proposals, which includes the reservation system." To read more, click here.

--Here's a second piece about Yosemite from SF Gate: "Yosemite National Park is in trouble. Hamstrung by President Donald Trump’s hiring freeze, hundreds of rescinded job offers and the threat of coming layoffs, the park is poised to enter its busiest months of the year severely short-staffed. Not only that, but the park’s day-use reservation system — created to protect park resources and improve the visitor experience by reducing crowding — appears unlikely to return this year." To read more, click here.

--And a third Yosemite note, this one from San Francisco Chronicle: "Yosemite National Park announced Friday that reservations for some of the park’s most popular campgrounds will be delayed. The park will delay the sale of reservations between June 15 and July 14 for the Upper Pines, Lower Pines, North Pines, Wawona and Hodgdon Meadow campsites. The reasoning behind the delay is unclear." To read more, click here.

Desert Southwest:

--3 News is reporting that, "The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department's Search and Rescue team is sharing details on some recent rescues out at Red Rock Canyon. The first rescue happened at around 2 p.m. on Friday, February 14, near Gateway Canyon." To read more, click here.

--It's been a busy season in Red Rock for rescues.

--SF Gate is reporting that, "a handful of privately owned lots within the boundaries of Joshua Tree National Park in the Whispering Pines area were recently purchased, sparking concerns among environmentalists and some residents about what’s coming to the California desert." To read more, click here.

Colorado and Utah:

--The Denver Post is reporting that, "A 24-year-old rock climber fell to his death in Clear Creek Canyon on Saturday, according to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office. The man was climbing near the popular Red Slab climbing area at approximately 9:39 a.m. when he fell, spokesperson Jacki Kelley said." To read more, click here.

--Steamboat Pilot and Today is reporting that, "A longtime local skier and business owner died Tuesday morning in a skiing accident at Steamboat Resort, according to Routt County Coroner Mitch Locke. Peter Van De Carr, 70, of Steamboat Springs, was pronounced dead at the scene at 10:46 a.m. Tuesday." To read more, click here.

--2 KUTV is reporting that, "A forecaster and meteorologist snowboarding in a winter storm found himself in an unexpected rescue mission after spotting a young skier stuck in deep snow on Saturday. Luke Stone was skiing on Wilma’s Run, coming off the Cirque Traverse trail at Snowbird, his home resort, after 13 inches of snow fell the night before. While near a groomed cat track, he noticed the child struggling but didn’t immediately realize the severity of the situation." To read more, click here.

--Shop Eat Surf Outdoor is reporting that, "Black Diamond and its parent company Clarus Corporation warned investors that they face legal, reputational, and financial risks after receiving subpoenas last month as part of an investigation by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah. The investigation is related to the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission’s (CPSC) conclusion that it did not respond quickly enough to a problem with avalanche transmitters distributed by Black Diamond, according to documents filed by Clarus with the SEC on Friday. CPSC also said Clarus and Black Diamond misrepresented the issue and recommended that it impose 'substantial civil monetary penalties,' according to background included in its fiscal 2023 report." To read more, click here.

Notes from All Over:

--The Miami Herald is reporting that, "Two ice climbers were caught in an avalanche as they reached the start of their route, New Hampshire officials said. A pair of climbers, a 31-year-old man and 36-year-old woman, made their way to the Black Dike climbing route in Franconia Notch State Park on Sunday, Feb. 16, the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department said in a news release." To read more, click here.

--Apparently some guys skied an erupting volcano in Italy. See below:

--Gripped is reporting that, "Denali National Park, along with other US national parks will have fewer search and rescue workers in 2025. Around 1,000 climbers attempt Denali, North America’s tallest mountain, every year. Denali usually has 12 search and rescue workers, but it looks like it will only have six in 2025. Those search and rescue rangers are also responsible for every other climbing in Denali National Park, which is 2.5 million hectares." To read more, click here.

--Reuters is reporting that, "The U.S. Forest Service is firing around 3,400 recent hires while the National Park Service is terminating about 1,000 under President Donald Trump's push to cut federal spending, people familiar with the plans said on Friday." To read more, click here.

--The National Parks Traveler is reporting that, "the Trump administration has canceled law enforcement training through the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) for National Park Service rangers hired after January 27, according to a group that closely follows news affecting park rangers. If true, the order seems to reverse earlier statements that law enforcement personnel would not be affected by the hiring freeze." To read more, click here.

--WyoFile is reporting that, "In a tie vote, the Wyoming Senate defeated a resolution demanding Congress turn over all federal land in the state but Yellowstone, even after senators amended the measure to exclude Grand Teton National Park and national forests." To read more, click here.

--It appears that Michael Tracy, a youtuber, is attacking John Krakauer through his platform. Krakauer is responding with a series of videos and articles. You can see them here.

--Inertia is reporting that, "skiing and snowboarding are the second most expensive sport(s) for kids to participate in, according to a survey from the Aspen Institute. This, of course, shouldn’t be surprising to anybody who’s seen the rising costs of everything from gear to lift tickets in recent years, making the sport appear less and less accessible to most people." To read more, click here.

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