Northwest:
–King 5 is reporting that, “The King County Sheriff’s Office performed a mountaintop rescue Saturday after a hiker fell about 50 feet and may have incurred a head injury. According to a video released by law enforcement, the man was hiking near Haystack Rock on Mt. Si when he fell and hit his head. The rescue was encumbered by weather, officials said.” To read more, click here.
–Here’s a weird conflict. People aren’t totally sure how tall Mt. Rainier actually is. Indeed, some people think it’s shrinking. One guy is out there trying to prove it. Read about him here.
–It’s still May and the Deschutes Forest is already moving to Stage 1 fire restrictions. This could be a tough fire season in the PNW.
Sierra-Nevada:
–California Trout is reporting on how meadow restoration in the Sierra-Nevada mountains is protecting the state’s water future, while also protecting against climate change. Read the piece, here.
–KVPR is reporting that, “More than a century after they were hunted and trapped to extinction in California, grizzly bears could once again roam the state’s wildlands under a divisive bill currently making its way through the legislature. Senate Bill 1305, introduced by Democratic State Senator Laura Richardson of San Pedro and authored by two Native American tribes, would require the California Department of Fish and Wildlife to formulate a feasibility study and roadmap geared toward the potential reintroduction of grizzly bears by 2030.” To read more, click here.
–The National Park Service is getting worried about Yosemite. From AOL.com: “Even before the summer rush, which begins in earnest in a few days with Memorial Day weekend, California’s most visited national park is seeing enormous crowds. There have been more than 836,000 visits so far in 2026, according to National Park System data — about 100,000 more than this time last year. The reason, according to parks advocates, is the Trump administration’s decision to abandon a reservation system implemented in 2020 to limit crowds during the COVID-19 pandemic. The system has been used on and off since then to help control the number of visitors and preserve a sense of natural tranquility.” To read more, click here.
Desert Southwest:
–SF Gate is reporting on how a swarm of bees in Joshua Tree National Park might offer clues to saving honeybees everywhere, which are vital for pollinating our food supply. To read the piece, click here.
–KTVX is reporting that, “The body of a missing 26-year-old Arizona State University student has been recovered from Grand Canyon National Park. On Saturday, May 9, search and rescue teams with the National Park Service found the body of Sandarsh Krishna near the Verkamp’s Visitor Center near the South Rim of the park, officials said in a May 12 news release.” To read more, click here.
Colorado and Utah:
–A Utah canyoneer suffered a 30-foot fall with poodle strapped to his chest when his anchor failed mid rappel. Both human and dog survived the fall. But there were injuries. Read more.
Notes from All Over:
–AAI teams are making their way up Denali. Read about them here.
–Gripped is reporting that, “Health Canada has announced a recall of several Petzl harnesses, including the Astro Bod Fast, Canyon Guide, Simba, Simba Park, Swan Easyfit Steel, and Swan Easyfit Stainless after the discovery, on one harness, of a missing rivet on a buckle. Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled harnesses.” To read more, click here.
–The US Government and DOGE has eliminated 5,800 public-land jobs in the West, including a staggering 26% reduction in Colorado. These cuts raise urgent questions about wildfire safety and visitor services heading into the peak summer season. To read more, click here.
–Outside is reporting that, “after two bear attacks in national parks left one hiker dead and two others injured, Montana Republican Representative Ryan Zinke is calling for the federal government to remove grizzly bears from the Endangered Species List. Some conservationists say the move is premature.” To read more, click here.
–The second edition of The Official AMGA Single Pitch Instructors Manual is now available. AAI’s Director, Jason D. Martin, co-authored this book with Bob Gaines and Andrew Megas-Russell.
—If you support this kickstarter campaign for a new guidebook to Hatcher Pass in Alaska, you could win a rope!
–Unofficial Networks is reporting on a 5-million dollar upgrade to be made on New York’s Holliday Valley Ski Resort over the off season. Read more.