American Alpine Institute News:
–After a successful season in Alaska, AAI is currently booking trips for the 2027 Denali (Mt. McKinley) season. Find discounts on select trips here.
–AAI is proud to have supported several bolt replacement projects in 2026. AAI guides have worked with both the Washington Climbers Coalition and with volunteers to complete replacements at Exit 38 near Snoqualmie Pass and at the Baker Crags near Mt. Baker!
Northwest:
–FOX 12 is reporting that, “A 77-year-old Nevada man is dead after an apparent fall while climbing Mount Washington on Thursday, according to the Linn County Sheriff’s Office. At about 3 p.m. on Thursday, Robert “Bob” Pickering was reported missing on the mountain. Deputies said a climbing guide told officials they saw Pickering solo climbing near the summit and then later heard a rockslide shortly after Pickering had passed them.” To read more, click here.
–KOMO News is reporting that, “Search crews in Whatcom County have recovered the body of a missing British Columbia hiker who was overdue after a trip near the South Twin area, according to the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office. The sheriff’s office said 34-year-old Gursimran Singh had been the subject of a “lengthy and extensive search” after he was reported overdue since June 29.” To read more, click here.
–Congresswoman Kim Schrier recently attended a roundtable in Leavenworth to discuss overcrowding in the Enchantment area of the Stuart Range and the lack of funding for the Forest Service. Read about it here.
–Sun Valley is reporting that, “Sun Valley Resort has been recognized as a DarkSky Certified Resort, becoming the first resort in the United States to receive the designation through the DarkSky Approved Lodging Program.” To read more, click here.
Sierra-Nevada:
–The San Francisco Chronicle is reporting that, “A severely injured climber was airlifted from Carson Peak early Sunday morning, more than 15 hours after he fell about 30 feet from a cliff while descending the Mono County mountain. The Mono County Search and Rescue Team said it was alerted around 3:30 p.m. Saturday that a “peak bagger” — a hobbyist who tries to summit a specific set of mountains — had been immobilized after a fall from Carson Peak. The nearly 11,000-foot mountain stands behind the town of June Lake in the Eastern Sierra.” To read more, click here.
–It’s being reported that the lack of timed entry reservations have made Yosemite crazier than ever. The crowds are over the top. Read more.
Desert Southwest:
–SF Gate is reporting that, “A decades-old plan to move 1.25 million acre-feet of groundwater out of the Mojave Desert has cleared a major federal hurdle after the Trump administration approved a 50-year permit to convert a dormant oil and natural gas pipeline into a water conduit stretching roughly 162 miles across Southern California.” To read more, click here.
Colorado and Utah:
–The New York Times and others are reporting that, “President Trump on Monday reduced the size of two national monuments in Utah by nearly 3 million acres, teeing up a legal battle over whether presidents have the power to shrink such sites in the first place. Mr. Trump signed two executive orders to sharply cut the Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monuments to less than 10 percent of their current size. Both sites are known for their sandstone canyons and vast mesas, which are rich in wildlife habitat as well as archaeological sites of importance to Native American tribes.” To read more, click here.
–The Denver Post is reporting that, “Skiers who book private lessons at Vail Mountain and Beaver Creek Resort next winter will gain access to concierge services and ‘white-glove’ gear rentals, among other perks that parent company Vail Resorts hopes will keep travelers coming back to the slopes. On Tuesday, the ski company announced new initiatives intended to enhance its guest experience, from upgrading ingredients in its most popular mountain eats to adding more convenient features to the My Epic app. It’s all part of a multi-year vision — formally called Epic Experience — that seeks to attract tourists to Vail Resorts properties on the heels of a difficult ski season.” To read more, click here.
Notes from All Over:
–It has been reported that there was a climbing fatality at West Virginia’s Seneca Rocks, but other than that, there is limited information.
–U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz says he’s considering giving states greater control over National Forests. The proposal comes after a group of governors endorsed the idea, and the first state in line is already suing the federal government to take control of 18.5 million acres of public land. Read more.
–Labor organizing in U.S. climbing gyms continues to grow, with unionized gyms doubling from 18 to 36 in two years. While some gyms have secured contracts improving pay and benefits, workers at Movement and Touchstone are escalating pressure through strikes, protests, and public campaigns. Workers United has also urged USA Climbing and The North Face to pressure Movement over its labor practices. Read more.
–The Colorado Sun is reporting that, “climbers are celebrating a first-ever national plan for managing rock climbing on federal land that abandons a previous plan that would have banned anchors in wilderness areas. The draft plan — guidance the Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service and Fish and Wildlife Service published two weeks ago — is part of the Protecting America’s Rock Climbing Act, or PARC Act, which was included in the unanimous passage of the Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences Act, or EXPLORE Act, by Congress last year.” To read more, click here.
–SnowBrains is reporting from Vermont: “The historic Sunrise Base Lodge and Mountain have been listed for sale. After its opening in the 1982-83 season, the Sunrise Base Lodge was an initial step in Killington’s southern expansion plan. The development of the Sunrise area, also known as the Northeast Passage, was part of a long-term addition plan called Parker’s Gore. The area featured a single fixed grip chair that took skiers on a lengthy ride to the top. This slow-moving triple and its surrounding terrain were the first step of a plan that never fully materialized.” To read more, click here.
–Fox 13 is reporting that, “A Florida Panhandle man is facing a federal charge after authorities accused him of stealing Smokey Bear signs from state forests and selling them online.” To read more, click here.
–RV Lifestyle is reporting that private campgrounds are nearly as expensive as hotel rooms. “Expedia reports that a typical hotel room in the United States now averages $170 to $175 per night, depending on location and season. Midscale hotels in smaller cities and along interstate corridors are often available for considerably less. Meanwhile, private RV resorts that once charged $40 or $50 a night are increasingly asking $80, $100, $125, or even $150 for a full-hookup site. Waterfront sites, premium pull-throughs, and destination resorts can push well past that number, particularly during holidays and peak travel seasons.” To read more, click here.