Desert Southwest:
–Backpacker is reporting on three different rescues this month in Death Valley National Park: “When most people think of Death Valley, they think of heat—blistering, record-setting, egg-frying, triple-digit heat. But over eight days this month, a very different hazard sent SAR teams scrambling to rescue three stricken hikers: cold and snow.” To read more, click here.
–The Access Fund is doing everything it can to keep reservations and fees from coming to Calico Basin in Red Rock Canyon just outside Las Vegas. To read more, click here.
–A couple of climbers had to rescue a free soloist who was stuck at a crux at El Cajon Mountain this week. This comes on the heels of the death of a climber on the same crag in December. It is not okay to free solo anywhere near your limit. And you certainly should never free solo a line that is not totally obvious. The amount of people getting in trouble or getting hurt, is rising. To read the story, click here.
Colorado and Utah:
—The Silverton Ski Area is adding another lift.
–Seasonal raptor closures have gone into effect in Rocky Mountain National Park’s Lumpy Ridge area. To read more, click here.
–The Owl Creek Chase Nordic Race had a bit of an issue last week. From The Aspen Times: “The race, which typically takes place on the Owl Creek Trail from Snowmass to Aspen, was rerouted due to moose activity near Buttermilk Ski Area.” To read more, click here.
