American Alpine Institute News:
–AAI has several teams on Denali right now. Listen to their dispatches from the tallest mountain in North America here.
–AAI has seven teams slated for Denali programs in 2027. The first four positions on each trip are being offered at a significant discount. Learn more here.
Northwest:
–KATU is reporting that, “A climber pinned beneath a massive boulder near Timberline Lodge on Mount Hood was rescued Sunday morning after a multiagency effort that included technical rescuers, air medical crews and a specialized surgical team.” The person was eventually freed. Read more.
–News Radio 560 KPQ is reporting that, “8th District Congresswoman Kim Schrier sent a letter asking the Trump administration to follow warnings from local officials, recreation groups, conservation organizations, and members of the public about inadequate U.S. Forest Service management of The Enchantments.” To read more, click here.
–Central Oregon Daily is reporting that, “A petition circulating in Oregon would criminalize animal farming, ranching, hunting and fishing. Organizers say they want to see the end of commercial production of animals for food, and hunting and fishing for sport and sustenance. Initiative Petition 28 is called the People for the Elimination of Animal Cruelty Exemptions, or the PEACE Act. If enough signatures are gathered by July 2, it could appear on the November ballot.” To read more, click here.
–Climbing is reporting that, “The long-brewing saga of a small town climbing gym in Idaho entered a new chapter this week, when the Driggs City Council voted on May 19 to terminate the gym’s lease. Teton Rock Gym, a nonprofit, has long operated out of a city facility with below-market rent.” To read more, click here.
—There are two new awesome 5.8 multi-pitch lines in Squamish!
–If you found a lost wallet in Smith Rock this week, click here.
Sierra-Nevada:
–The Sierra-Nevada Conservancy is reporting that, “The Sierra Nevada Conservancy (SNC), a California state agency focused on improving the environmental, economic, and social well-being of the Sierra-Cascade region, will host its quarterly meeting and field tour in Weaverville, Calif., June 3 and 4. At the June 4 Board meeting, nearly $1.5 million may be awarded to new wildfire-resilience projects and just over $3 million to new projects to help boost recreation and tourism in the Sierra-Cascade. The Board may also approve new Wildfire and Forest Resilience Grant guidelines and guidelines for the new Landscape Grant Program to help increase the pace and scale of forest health.” To read more, click here.
–SF Gate is reporting that, “The U.S. Forest Service is moving ahead with plans to spray the controversial herbicide glyphosate, the main ingredient in Roundup, on thousands of acres devastated by the Caldor Fire, including in the Lake Tahoe Basin. The plans have sparked growing public opposition and have come under scrutiny from local residents, wellness and organic food advocates and environmentalists after an investigation published by Mother Jones this spring showed the federal government is spraying the herbicide at “record levels” across California forests.” To read more, click here.
Desert Southwest:
–SnowBrains is reporting that, “a proposed private ski area in Nevada’s Ruby Mountains has cleared another major hurdle after surviving an appeal process that threatened to derail the project once again. Earlier this week, the Elko County Planning Commission reaffirmed its approval of businessman Peter Christodoulo’s plan to develop a private ski operation at Ruby Mountain Ranch near Elko, Nevada. The decision came after eight separate parties filed appeals challenging the project following its initial approval in March.” To read more, click here.
–Z107.7 is reporting that, “Joshua Tree National Park Association (JTNPA) is hosting their Fifth Annual Beneath the Desert Sky Benefit Concert this Sunday (May 31) at Pappy and Harriets.” To read more, click here.
Colorado and Utah:
–Summit Daily is reporting that, “An injured climber was successfully rescued on Friday, May 22, after falling approximately 1,000 feet while ascending the Bell Cord snowfield on Maroon Peak. The climber sustained several non-life threatening injuries, according to a press release.” To read more, click here.
–Fox 5 is reporting that, “Zion National Park has implemented Stage 2 fire restrictions effective May 22 due to increasing fire danger and dry conditions across southwest Utah, officials said.” To read more, click here.
Notes from All Over:
–The Inertia is reporting that, “a man has died after falling into a crevasse in the Columbia Icefield. The incident took place on May 12 at the Athabasca Glacier, located in Jasper National Park in Alberta, Canada. Three friends were skiing and snowboarding when one fell 80 feet into a crevasse. The exact time of the incident is unclear, but the Royal Canadian Mounted Police was notified around 5:30 p.m. by Parks Canada.” To read more, click here.
–Shop Eat Surf X Outdoor is reporting that, “VF Corporation returned to full-year revenue growth for the first time in three years, powered by growth at The North Face and Timberland. Vans showed early signs of life in the Americas, but the brand has not returned to global growth.” To read more, click here.
–The National Parks Traveler is reporting that, “A newly introduced bill, the Public Lands Workforce Stability Act, would prohibit mass terminations at U.S. land management agencies, including the Interior Department, until 2030. The legislation was introduced by Rep. Joe Neguse, D-Colo., and Rep. Jared Huffman, D-Calif., and comes as the Trump administration has eliminated tens of thousands of jobs through the Reduction in Force of federal employees since the start of 2025.” To read more, click here.
–The Hill is reporting that, “At least $60 million in U.S. National Park Service (NPS) funds are going toward Washington, D.C.-based projects as President Trump seeks to ‘beautify’ the city ahead of the nation’s 250th anniversary, contracts reveal. Projects that aim to improve city fountains and memorials are being backed by NPS funds that are collected through the Recreation Enhancement Fee Program.” To read more, click here.
–Backpacker is reporting that the Appalachian Trail could lose Katadan as its end point: “In a letter to Appalachian Trail officials, Baxter State Park director Jensen Bissell complained that thru-hikers were consistently violating park rules by drinking alcohol, littering bringing dogs into the park, and traveling in large groups. While only 3 percent of visitors to the park, which hosts the northernmost 15 miles of the AT, were there to hike the trail, Bissell wrote that they used a disproportionate amount of resources and negatively affected the land.” To read more, click here.
–This seems bad. Gear Junkie is reporting that, “Surge pricing is an unavoidable part of our modern world. Customers pay more when demand is high for everything from rideshares to concert tickets to airfare to grocery delivery. This dynamic pricing model may soon be coming to the great outdoors. The Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation (VDFPR) is attempting to institute flexible pricing for its campgrounds and day-use fees to counteract rising operating costs.” To read more, click here.
–It sounds like there’s been another norovirus outbreak on the Pacific Crest Trail. Newsweek and others are reporting that, “an outbreak of the highly contagious virus emerged early this month along a stretch of the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), a 2,650-mile route stretching from Mexico to Canada, near Wrightwood, in California, roughly an hour northeast of Los Angeles.” To read more, click here.
–A stranded climber was rescued in Kentucky this week at Paint Rock. Read more.
–SF Gate is reporting that, “Comments from national park ‘snitch signs’ have been released. They’re wild.” Read them here.