AAI News:
-–December 12 – Girl Climber Film at headquarters in Bellingham.
–Gift certificates available for courses, guided trips or outdoor gear. Contact info(at)alpineinstitute.com for details.
Northwest:
–Washington’s Highway 20 will be closing today (12/3/25) for the winter season.
–BC Ski resorts are off to a good start. Whistler-Blackcomb, Big White and Powder King are all open.
Sierra:
–SnowBrains is reporting that, “A skier was swept about 150 feet in an avalanche on Mt. Olsen in the Virginia Lakes area of California’s Eastern Sierra Mountains on Sunday, November 30, according to an update shared by the Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center (ESAC) on December 2.” The individual was uninjured. To read more, click here.
–Gripped is reporting that, “Sasha DiGiulian has completed a free ascent of Platinum Wall (The Direct Line), a 39-pitch 5.13d next to The Nose on El Capitan in Yosemite. It took her 23 days due to a storm that brought snow and rain.” To read more, click here.
–The Fresno Bee is reporting that, “A Native American tribe that was displaced by the establishment of Yosemite National Park is getting part of its lands back. The land transfer, from Pacific Forest Trust, is considered a major milestone for Indigenous cultural and land restoration in California.” To read more, click here.
Desert Southwest:
–From the National Park Service: “The west entrance of Joshua Tree National Park, including the restrooms, will close to inbound and outbound traffic from 6 a.m., Dec. 3 through 6 p.m., Dec. 5. Park Boulevard will also close to vehicle traffic for six miles from the west entrance to Quail Springs Picnic Area. This closure includes the Maze Loop and Bigfoot trailhead parking areas. Visitors may not drive to or park at these trailheads during the closure. All other park roads are expected to remain open.”
Colorado and Utah:
–Teton Gravity Research is reporting that, “a pivotal case stemming from a December 2020 collision at Breckenridge Ski Resort is now making its way to the Colorado Supreme Court. The legal fight involves snowboarder John Litterer, who was injured after a collision with a resort employee operating a snowmobile on a designated trail. This is not just a standard ski accident case. Instead, it questions the very foundation of the modern ski industry: the liability waiver you sign when purchasing a lift ticket or an Epic Pass.” To read more, click here.
–National Parks Traveler is reporting that, “Zion National Park will wrap up its fall shuttle service on November 30, and private vehicles will be able to access the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive from December 1 until December 22.” To read more, click here.
Notes from All Over:
–A climber was rescued on Thanksgiving Day after falling at Alabama’s Ruffner Mountain. To read more, click here.
–A Montana skier survived an avalanche in the Bridger Range after deploying an airbag. To read more, click here.
–Gear Junkie is reporting that, “Snowless winters are a bummer for skiers and riders, but for resort operators, they can spell disaster. Wisconsin’s Whitecap Mountains Resort (WMR) is learning that harsh truth firsthand. On Nov. 19, the resort, once named the “snowiest” ski area in the state, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection after two consecutive low-snowfall seasons torpedoed its revenue.” To read more, click here.
–ABC Alaska is reporting that, “Denali National Park is taking steps to reduce wildfire risk this winter with planned pile burns near the park entrance. Between December 1 and January 30, park staff will conduct prescribed burning of slash piles along miles 0 through 3 of Denali Park Road, weather permitting. The burns are part of a wildfire protection project designed to reduce risk to park buildings and public areas, while also allowing fire ecology staff to study the effects on forest plant communities.” To read more, click here.
–Gripped is reporting that, “The Carolina Climbers Coalition (CCC) and Access Fund have finalized the purchase of Lower Ghost Town in Chimney Rock, marking the end of a 25-year effort to secure access to one of North Carolina’s most coveted but historically inaccessible areas. The acquisition was made possible through an Access Fund Climbing Conservation Loan and support from the Great Trails State Grant. Lower Ghost Town sits on Round Top Mountain, directly across from Chimney Rock State Park.” To read more, click here.