AAI News:
–-Gift certificates available for courses, guided trips or outdoor gear. Contact info(at)alpineinstitute.com for details.
Northwest:
–Climbing is reporting on toxic drama that could close a not-for-profit rock gym in Idaho. “Six climbers banned from entering. Seventeen board members stepping down in six years. Over 100 concerned citizens signing a petition demanding change. It’s all coming to a head at a small nonprofit climbing gym in Idaho—even the mayor has had to get involved.” To read more, click here.
–Unofficial Networks is reporting that, “Preliminary results are in on a new study by students from Syracuse University and although they have not undergone peer review, they mark an intriguing development from the world of micro-biology out of California’s Lassen Volcanic National Park. Scientists have identified a single-celled eukaryote named Incendiamoeba cascadensis, aka the fire ameba, thriving in the steaming pools of LVNP which are challenging long-held beliefs about the thermal limits of complex life. The organism was first described in BioRxiv, where researchers reported its ability to continually divide at an incredible 145.4F marking the highest temperature ever observed for eukaryotic cell division.” To read more, click here.
–RV Travel is reporting that, “The Oregon Parks and Recreation Commission voted in November to reopen its rulebook as it confronts an $8 million budget shortfall. The agency is proposing tighter refund rules, smaller free-camping benefits for certain passholders, and permission to use dynamic pricing for busy campgrounds.” To read more, click here.
–Unofficial Networks is reporting that, “This year, Mt. Spokane State Park has been working on a revised master plan. This includes the entire state park, which is home to Mt. Spokane Ski & Snowboard Park, as well as various offseason activities around the over 12,000 acre park.” To read more, click here.
Sierra:
–Outside is reporting that, “In a ruling issued on December 8, the United States Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a lower court’s conviction and life sentence of accomplished California climber and guidebook author Charles Barrett for the rape of a woman in Yosemite National Park.” To read more, click here.
Desert Southwest:
–Outside is reporting on an odd thing. The remains of dozens of cremated people were found in the Mohave Desert near Searchlight outside Las Vegas. To read about it, click here.
–A hiker near Silver City in New Mexico was bitten by a rabid coyote last week. To read more, click here.
–Mongabay is reporting that, “A wildfire in California’s Joshua Tree National Park burned through some 29 hectares (72 acres) of land during the recent federal government shutdown in October and November. That’s a small fire by California standards, but firefighters estimate it scorched roughly 1,000 of the park’s iconic Joshua trees, according to The Los Angeles Times. The burned area was considered one of the most climate-resilient refuges for the trees as the region grows hotter and drier amid climate change.” To read more, click here.
Colorado and Utah:
–A 22-year-old female skier became stranded in a remote ravine in Northern Utah and spent the night. A helicopter team was able to rescue the woman early in the morning on Monday. To read more, click here.
–ABC 4 News Utah is reporting that, “Archeologists are seeking for the public’s help after a human skull was illegally removed from an ancient burial site. In January 2025, investigators with the Utah Attorney General’s became aware of the theft after viewing social media posts, prompting a search of the site East of Kanab.” To read more, click here.
–Outside is reporting that, “Utah state officials are taking aim at existing and proposed timed-entry reservation systems at Arches and Zion National Parks. In a closed-door meeting held on Monday, December 1, in Salt Lake City, state officials proposed radical policy changes for the state’s 13 national park units. The most substantial changes included doing away with the reservation programs.” To read more, click here.
–Fox 13’s Salt Lake City Now is reporting that, “a seasoned hiker’s worst nightmare became reality Sunday morning when he found himself trapped knee-deep in quicksand during a solo trek through Arches National Park.” To read more, click here.
Notes from All Over:
–SF Gate is reporting that, “The Donald Trump administration has changed which holidays qualify for free entrance to national parks, removing two holidays celebrating Black people and adding the president’s birthday.” To read more, click here.
–RV Travel is reporting that, “Starting Jan. 1, 2026, a new national park ID requirement will take effect at many of America’s busiest parks. The change may slow entry lines for millions of visitors. Everyone age 16 and older will need to show a government-issued photo ID at the gate. This is a shift aimed at enforcing new residency-based fees that begin next year.” To read more, click here.