Colorado and Utah:
–An ice climber died at the Secret Falls (WI 3) in Clear Creek Canyon near Boulder last week. As of this writing, it does appear that this was another solo climber accident. To read more, click here.
–A well known Salt Lake City climber died last Wednesday while skiing. It appears that he may have inadvertently skied too close to a cliff in difficult visibility. From Climbing: “The climbing world is mourning the loss of the man who originally brought 5.12 to the climbing areas around Salt Lake City. Merrill Bitter, who was “the” area hard rock climber in the early 1980s, stayed with the sport for over 40 years. Friends had just seen Bitter, age 68, at the climbing gym days before he was found in the side country of the Alta Ski Area, the Wasatch Mountains, after a ski-touring accident.” To read more, click here.
–Denver is currently the home to the Outdoor Retailer, the premiere event for the outdoor industry. Salt Lake City previously hosted the event and wants it back. To read about the politics of this, click here.
–The Denver Post is reporting on more Vail shenegans: “Vermont regulators this month issued a cease-and-desist order to Vail Resorts, alleging that the Colorado-based ski giant is reneging on an agreement with roughly 30 immigrant investors that could lead to their deportation. These foreign investors came to the United States under the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program — created by Congress in 1990 to facilitate economic development in exchange for the chance to receive a green card, or permanent U.S. residency status.” To read more, click here.
–Winners of the Ouray Ice Competition can be found, here!
Notes from All Over:
–From Snow Brains: “Teton Interagency Dispatch Center received a call at approximately 11:45 a.m. on Saturday, January 22, about an injured skier involved in an avalanche in the Sliver Couloir on Nez Perce in Grand Teton National Park, WY. Park rangers and Teton County Search and Rescue jointly responded. Two skiers were ascending the Sliver Couloir on Saturday when a snowboarder above them triggered a small avalanche. The slide caused one of the skiers to be washed down the couloir. During the fall the skier sustained an ankle injury.” To read more, click here.
–A new not-for-profit has launched that promotes diversity, sustainability and inclusivity in the outdoors. The Outdoorist Oath was cofounded by photographer Wyn Wiley, Latino Outdoors founder José González, and Teresa Baker, creator of the Outdoor CEO Diversity Pledge. The group will address these issues through online trainings. To read more, click here.
–The BLM is reporting that, “taking historic action that will benefit the nation’s public lands for generations to come, the Foundation for America’s Public Lands launched today at a virtual event featuring remarks by Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland and Department leaders. This congressionally-chartered, non-profit foundation authorized by Congress in 2017 will help leverage public and private dollars to conserve, protect and restore lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management for the benefit of the American people.” To read more, click here.
–Alaska Public Radio is reporting that, “About half the mostly gravel road that runs through Denali National Park and Preserve — home to North America’s tallest peak — was closed to buses and other recreational traffic in late August, and such traffic will remain restricted to mile 43 again this year. Without a bridge, that section would remain closed indefinitely, the National Park Service said. The park service released an environmental review last week that outlined two phases of proposed work. The first would include construction of a 400-foot bridge spanning the Pretty Rocks landslide area, retaining walls and a “slight road alignment” on the west side of the bridge.” To read more, click here.
–The American Alpine Club has several open grants right now for both those who want to go big and explore the wildest of places, as well as for those who just want to get into the mountains. Check it out, here.
—This is a good article on ski patrollers and unions…
—An REI store in New York looks like it’s set to unionize. It seems like REI is anti-union though. Check out this email they sent out after learning that their employees were considering a union.
–And finally, here’s a nice little piece on the avalanche dogs of Jackson Hole Ski Resort…