American Alpine Institute News:
–AAI just finished a successful Denali season with dozens of climbers reaching the summit of the mountain. Check out the Denali program page for information on discounts in 2027.
Northwest:
–The Squamish Chief is reporting on multiple incidents over the weekend: “The incidents were at Sky Pilot, Tricouni Peak, the Howe Sound Crest Trail, and the waterfall east of Britannia Beach.” To read more, click here.
–KUOW is reporting that, “Washington’s iconic High Rock Lookout tower was nearing the completion of a 10-year volunteer restoration effort last week when an online video reported devastating vandalism. The High Rock Lookout, a heritage site and one of the most popular hiking destinations in Washington, had been ransacked by vandals. It sent shockwaves through the community leading the restoration effort, and across outdoor enthusiast groups that appreciate the site for its unequalled view of Mount Rainier.” To read more, click here.
–The Goodell Creek Campground in Newhalem in the North Cascades National Park is currently closed due to bear activity. Read more.
–NBC News is reporting that, “Four-time U.S. Olympic skier and gold medalist Bode Miller pleaded not guilty to a pair of misdemeanor drug charges in Idaho, court records revealed.” To read more, click here.
Sierra-Nevada:
–Gripped is reporting that, “The Yosemite Climbing Association (YCA) has organized a film festival that intends to showcase a selection of films from different phases of Yosemite climbing. By sharing the stories of rock climbing in Yosemite, we allow people to look through the lens of this love of place and carry that passion forward into the new era.” To read more, click here.
–Press Release from Alex Padilla’s website: “U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, questioned the Department of the Interior (DOI) nominee for Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks Kevin Lilly about Yosemite National Park’s reservation system, traffic monitoring, and park resources during peak visitation season. Padilla secured a commitment from Lilly that the National Park Service (NPS) will continue to monitor Yosemite wait times throughout peak visitor season and invest in NPS infrastructure and capacity.” To read more, click here.
Desert Southwest:
–Sedona Red Rock News is reporting that, “A male climber in his 50s fell to his death while rappelling inside Keyhole Cave, near the Sugarloaf Trailhead in Sedona, on Saturday, June 13. The Sedona Fire District and Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office responded at about 1:30 p.m. An Arizona Department of Public Safety Ranger helicopter arrived on scene around 1:50 p.m.” To read more, click here.
–Fire restrictions are in effect for Joshua Tree National Park. Read more.
Colorado and Utah:
–Gripped and others are reporting that, “Andy Lewis, known around the world as “Sketchy Andy,” died this weekend in a tandem BASE-jumping accident near Mineral Bottom in Grand County, Utah. He was 39. The Grand County Sheriff’s Office said dispatchers were notified of the incident on June 14, prompting a response from deputies, Grand County Search and Rescue, Grand County EMS, and two Intermountain medical helicopters. Lewis and a second man, described by authorities as 68 years old, were both pronounced dead at the scene. Officials confirmed the men were tandem BASE-jumping, in which a passenger and an experienced jumper descend together.” To read more, click here.
–St. George News is reporting that, “A Nevada man has been arrested in connection with a decades-old cold case being investigated as a homicide involving a deadly fall at Zion National Park. David Vander Meer has been charged with murder and insurance fraud in connection with the 2006 death of his wife, Bernadette Vander Meer, who fell while the couple was hiking at Angels Landing, according to the Washington County Attorney’s Office.” To read more, click here.
–Powder is reporting that a wildfire is rapidly approaching the Eagle Point Ski Area: “The Cottonwood Fire started yesterday afternoon (June 22, 2026) near Beaver, Utah, and has exploded to more than 10,000 acres in less than 24 hours. The fire is 0% contained as of Tuesday, June 23, and officials are issuing mandatory evacuation orders for Eagle Point, Merchant Valley, HiLo Estates, Arrowhead Summer Homes, and all surrounding areas.” To read more, click here.
–Speaking of wildfire, a shirtless guy was seen wandering through a wildfire zone. Needless to say, firefighters were not happy. Read more.
Notes from All Over:
–Kelo Media Group is reporting on an accident in South Dakota: “Custer County Search and Rescue responded to a call at 10:50 a.m. Saturday for a report that a climber had fallen behind Sylvan Lake in the popular rock climbing area. According to Custer County Search and Rescue, Life Flight was automatically launched based on the call criteria and crews with CCSR responded with Custer Ambulance.” To read more, click here.
–There’s new information coming out about the climbing management plans being developed in response to legislation last year. From the Access Fund: “Access Fund, the national advocacy organization for sustainable access and conservation of climbing landscapes, is calling on climbers to speak up in response to newly released climbing management guidance from the U.S. Department of the Interior and U.S. Department of Agriculture. The guidance—issued by the National Park Service (NPS), Bureau of Land Management (BLM), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), and U.S. Forest Service (USFS)—stands to shape how America’s climbing is managed for decades to come.” To read more, click here.
–Outside is reporting that, “There’s a new wrinkle in the Trump Administration’s efforts to remove historical signs and placards at National Park Service (NPS) sites deemed to ‘disparage Americans past or living.’ On June 12, a U.S. District Judge ruled that the federal government must cease removing these signs and restore those previously removed by July 4. The decision marked a major victory for advocates who had argued that the practice was akin to erasing American history.” To read more, click here.
–SF Gate is reporting that, “National Park Service ranger uniforms are iconic: green pants, gray shirts and a broad-brimmed, flat hat. In the coming months, though, visitors who look closely at the uniforms of law enforcement rangers will notice some small but significant changes the Trump administration hopes will underscore the policing element of the job. Those changes include a switch to external ballistic vest carriers that say “police federal officer” and the introduction of rank insignia, symbolic sleeve patches like stripes or stars that denote a hierarchical ranking as seen in the military. In addition, vehicles that law enforcement rangers drive will soon say ‘police’ on the side.” To read more, click here.