American Alpine Institute News:
–It’s time to start thinking about climbing in the Southwest. Book a trip to Red Rock Canyon or to Joshua Tree National Park.
–If you’re getting ready for snow, consider our new Ski Mountaineering and Avalanche leadership series, or even our Alaska Range Ski Mountaineering program!
Northwest:
–The Methow Valley Climbers Coalition is replacing old bolts on Prime Rib on Friday and Saturday (9/11 and 9/12). Other climbers are urged to avoid the area during the rebolting effort.
—Maybe snow falling on mountain bikers at Mt. Bachelor is a good sign for this winter…? Time will tell…
Sierra-Nevada:
–The Mercury News is reporting that, “Highway 140 into Yosemite National Park reopened Saturday after firefighters reported improving containment of the Colorado Fire. The road – one of the main routes into the park – had previously been closed after the wildfire broke out roughly 10 miles west of Yosemite National Park. By Wednesday, the fire had grown to 233 acres and over a hundred firefighters were deployed to the fire. As of Sunday afternoon, the fire was 73% contained.” To read more, click here.
Desert Southwest:
–Sources indicate that Grand Canyon National Park officials are considering whether to close the North Kaibab Trail for the entire 2026 season because of serious concerns about trail conditions and safety. A trails supervisor reportedly urged the closure, reflecting the difficulty of maintaining and safely operating the remote corridor, while park officials weigh the impacts on hikers, backpackers, and river users who rely on the trail to access the Colorado River. The potential closure underscores the growing challenges of maintaining critical infrastructure in the Grand Canyon and could significantly affect visitors planning rim-to-rim and other backcountry trips. To read about it, click here.
–The flash flood in the Grand Canyon last week has impacted the Park’s access to clean water. This infrastructure impact is affecting employees and the public. To read more, click here.
Colorado and Utah:
–The Denver Post is reporting that, “a climber on Castle Peak died Sunday after falling while climbing the 14,274-foot peak between Aspen and Crested Butte.” To read more, click here.
–9 News is reporting that, “An overdue climber was located deceased in the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness on Thursday. The Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office said rescue crews found the climber Thursday during an aerial search of the Maroon Bells area.” To read more, click here.
–A prolonged drought and historically low snowpack have contributed to a record spike in human-bear conflicts in Colorado, as hungry black bears increasingly venture into towns and homes in search of food. Incidents and sightings have doubled compared to 2025, while wildlife officials have already euthanized 294 bears this year—a 250% increase—as conflicts and vehicle collisions rise. Read more.
–News 4 Utah is reporting that, “The Zion Forever Project announced Wednesday that it secured 145 acres of land next to the eastern gateway of Zion National Park through a legal agreement. This covers land along State Route 9, protecting wildlife habitat, watershed resources, and open space near the park entrance.” To read more, click here.
–The Salt Lake Tribune is reporting that, “Federal, state and Grand County officials gathered at Panorama Point in Arches National Park Tuesday, Sept. 8, to celebrate the rapid rollout of the Moab-Arches shuttle and discuss how results from the six-month pilot could shape future transportation decisions.” Read more.
Notes from All Over:
–Staff at the Department of the Interior are increasingly concerned that another major reorganization may be coming, particularly within the National Park Service. The concerns were triggered by unusual mandatory meetings for all national park superintendents in mid-September, recent reassignment of about 30 senior Interior officials, and earlier consolidation of HR, IT, and contracting functions. Former park superintendents warn that another rushed restructuring could further weaken the agency’s scientific, cultural, and wildlife-management capabilities. The concerns are especially significant because Interior has already lost more than 10,000 employees, while the NPS has lost nearly one-quarter of its permanent workforce since the beginning of the second Trump administration. To read about this, click here.
–Gripped is reporting that, “The Boardman Tasker Award for Mountain Literature has announced its 2026 shortlist, with six books selected from 33 entries submitted from nine countries. The shortlisted authors are from a range of backgrounds and the books span mountaineering history, environmental writing, mountain culture, biography and fiction.” To read more, click here.
–Popular Science is reporting that, “One of a smartwatch’s main selling points can be its ability to track the calories burned while exercising. But similar to the health tech industry’s ‘10,000 steps‘ selling point, new research strongly suggests a wearable’s workout assessment may overestimate your efforts—and in some cases, the readings are off by as much as 25 percent.” To read more, click here.
–And finally, this amazing trailer dropped last week…