AAI News:
–December 2 – Avalanche Awareness Seminar at headquarters in Bellingham.
–December 12 – Girl Climber Film at headquarters in Bellingham.
–Remember that Thanksgiving week is one of the busiest weeks of the year at many climbing areas. Be kind to one another. Let faster teams pass on multi-pitch climbs. Don’t try to pass unless you are actually faster. Share campsites. Share adventure and food! Relish in the outdoor community!
Northwest:
–According to Backpacker, “Eleven people are injured, two critically, after a grizzly bear attacked a school group on a walking trail near Bella Coola on British Columbia’s Central Coast.” It appears that an adult male teacher was hit the hardest. To read more, click here.
Sierra:
–Outside is reporting that, “Hikers near California’s Yosemite National Park were sent scrambling after feeling and hearing bullets pass overhead, prompting concerns over an active shooter. Multiple hikers called emergency services amidst gunfire around 1:50 P.M. on September 26. Dispatchers said they heard shots being fired while on the phone with at least one caller, reported the Mono County Sheriff’s Office.” To read more, click here.
Desert Southwest:
–The Arizona’s Family network of TV stations is reporting that, “Two rock climbers were rescued after one slipped and fell off a mountain, stranding their partner on Thursday afternoon in southern Arizona. At about 5:30 p.m., Cochise County search and rescue crews responded to Rockfellow Dome in the Dragoon Mountains after a climber fell about 70 feet, pulling the rope with him and leaving his partner stranded.” To read more, click here.
–The BLM is reporting that, “Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area’s Scenic Drive and Visitor Center will have limited hours on Thanksgiving Day, November 27. The Scenic Drive area at Red Rock Canyon will be open from 6 a.m. to noon, and the Visitor Center will be open 8 a.m. to noon. The fee gates will close at noon. Normal operating hours will resume November 28.” To read more, click here.
–The aftermath of the Bravo Fire is still impacting the Grand Canyon. From Gear Junkie: “On Nov. 13, the National Park Service (NPS) announced that it would be closing the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park for the remainder of the 2025 season. Pending ‘weather, trail conditions, infrastructure readiness, and completion of hazard mitigation efforts,’ NPS anticipates reopening the Rim by May 15, 2026.” To read more, click here.
–SF Gate is reporting on a wildfire in Joshua Tree National Park started by a hiker during the government shutdown: “The Black Rock Fire broke out south of Black Rock Campground on the morning of Oct. 12, closing the campground and raising concerns at a time when visitors were already navigating the chaotic effects of the government shutdown on park operations. The fire burned for eight days until it was contained on Oct. 20, according to Cal Fire.” To read more, click here.
Colorado and Utah:
–Unofficial Networks is reporting that, “After a costly ruling involving a chairlift incident at Crested Butte, Vail Resorts faces another legal challenge that has reached the Colorado Supreme Court’s docket. The Colorado Supreme Court will hear the case of a skier who was struck by a snowmobile driven by an employee at Breckenridge Ski Resort.” To read more, click here.
–Alta Ski Area has pushed it’s opening day back to December.
–National Parks Traveller is reporting that, “A meeting next week between Interior Department officials and Utah politicians has raised concerns the topic might be co-management of national parks in the Beehive State. Some Utah legislators early this year proposed that the state “co-manage” Arches, Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, and Zion national parks, and state and congressional politicians in the state long have desired to see federal lands transferred to the state.” To read more, click here.
Notes from All Over:
–CP24 is reporting that, “Quebec provincial police (SQ) and Sun Youth are now offering $50,000 to anyone with information on the Ontario skier who went missing in Mont-Tremblant in February. Liam Gabriel Toman, 22, was last seen around 3 a.m. on Feb. 2, leaving a bar on Curé-Deslauriers Road after a night out with friends in the ski village north of Montreal.” To read more, click here.
–NPR is reporting that, “The century-old partnership between the U.S. military and Scouting could be coming to an end. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is planning for the military to sever all ties with Scouting America, saying the group once known as the Boy Scouts is no longer a meritocracy and has become an organization designed to “attack boy-friendly spaces,” according to documents reviewed by NPR.” To read more, click here.
–RV Pro is reporting that, “new data showing that a strong bipartisan majority of Americans reject recent and proposed cuts to our national parks. In fact, only 16% of Americans support the Trump administration’s continued staffing cuts to the National Park Service, and only 12% back the proposed massive budget reduction for the agency.” To read more, click here.
–Backpacker is reporting that, “Non-U.S. residents will pay up to $100 extra to enter some national parks and $250 for an annual pass in 2026 under a new pricing structure announced by the Department of the Interior this week.” To read more, click here.
–There is a fair bit of anger about the president’s face on the new America the Beautiful Pass National Parks annual pass. Read about it here.
–The Texas Tribune is reporting that, “Texas officials are requiring youth camps to have weather alert systems, mandated emergency preparedness plans, and various communication methods to help children and their families feel safe when they return this summer. But one thing is still missing from the state plan that some camp leaders say would ensure complete safety at all camps — initiatives to address the mental health of those returning to a place of tragedy.” To read more, click here.
–The conversation about a new route around the Khumbu Icefall on Everest is continuing. And Everest expert, Alan Arnette has thoughts.