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!
AAI Mountain Center Bellingham Events:
- October 29, 2026 – Cocaine Bear Movie and Halloween Party (Costume Contest and Movie, 7pm – Free)
- November 1, 2026 – Mountain Festival – Annual Gear Sale, Maker’s Market, Mountain Education (1pm-6pm – Free)
Northwest:
–A woman was attacked by a black bear near Index on Sunday morning. She is expected to make a full recovery. It is believed that the bear was with cubs. To read more, click here.
–KING 5 is reporting that, “A Woodinville man pleaded guilty in a fatal Bothell shooting, six years after pledging to spend his life helping others following a near-death experience on Mount Rainier, according to court records and reports about his rescue. Michael Andrew Knapinski, 51, pleaded guilty Oct. 22 in Snohomish County Superior Court to second-degree murder with a firearm enhancement in the killing of Jason Martinell, 42. Sentencing is scheduled for Nov. 4.” To read more, click here.
–KTAU 2 is reporting that, “Winter is starting to take shape in the Cascade Range, and with some snow already falling at Oregon ski resorts, skiers are getting some hope after a slow season last year.” To read more, click here.
Sierra-Nevada:
–The LA Times is reporting that, “The body of a missing climber was found, covered in snow, on Mt. Whitney’s Mountaineer’s Route after a storm delayed recovery efforts, according to authorities. The Inyo County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement Monday it received a report from an employee at a Lone Pine motel shortly before 10 p.m. Oct. 19 of a guest who missed checkout and left his personal belongings behind. The man had told motel staff that he planned to go hiking in the area, according to the sheriff’s statement.” To read more, click here.
Desert Southwest:
–8 News Now is reporting that, “Developers at the Reserve at Red Rock Canyon want to add a man-made lake, but the proposal is meeting resistance before a Tuesday night vote. The development just outside Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area is the former site of Bonnie Springs Ranch, a tourist attraction that closed in 2019. The Reserve is a luxury home development just south of Spring Mountain Ranch State Park.” To read more, click here.
Colorado and Utah:
–Fox News is reporting that, “Officials in Colorado said a climber suffered a fatal fall Sunday after scaling a towering peak south of Aspen. The tragic incident occurred on Castle Peak, which reaches a steep elevation of 14,272 feet in the Elk Mountains, according to Mountain Rescue Aspen.” To read more, click here.
–ABC News and others are reporting that, “Two Colorado hikers, missing since last week, were found dead on Wednesday afternoon, the Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office announced in a social media post in the early hours of Thursday morning.” To read more, click here.
–SnowBrains is reporting that, “Colorado’s first avalanche accident of the season occurred over the weekend, high on the slopes of Mt. Bross (14,178 feet), the state’s 22nd-highest peak. According to a CAIC observation submitted by Ryan Buller, the windslab broke at about 14,100 feet in the east-facing Moose Creek Bowl, with debris reaching about 13,550 feet. Per the report and photos, the avalanche was R2 (relative size—small) and D2 (destructive size—medium). While the snowpack is not deep yet, much of the slab did step down to the ground. One skier was buried with their head beneath the snow; a ski partner performed a self-rescue, which took about five minutes, and the skiers self-evacuated.” To read more, click here.
–Climbing is reporting that, “On September 3, 32-year-old climber Michael Reese broke the First Flatiron’s fastest known time (FKT) from the dirt at its base to the summit anchor, with no rope. He climbed the Direct Route (5.6,R; 1,000ft) of the East Face in 7 minutes 51 seconds, breaking what he believed would be the last minute barrier of this generation. The previous record was 8 minutes 33 seconds, set by Joe Kennedy in 2022.” Read more.
Notes from All Over:
–CBS News is reporting that, “Nine specialty rescuers responded to a New Hampshire mountain on Sunday when a man who was rock climbing alone was unable to move any further and called for help. It happened around 8 a.m. on the Whitehorse Ledge, which is located in the White Mountains town of North Conway.” To read more, click here.