Northwest:
–A climber died after falling in Index late on Monday afternoon. At this point there is limited information about the fatality.
–Renowned mountaineer and the first American to climb Mt. Everest, Jim Whittaker, died at the age of 97 at his home in Port Townsend on April 7th. To read about his extraordinary life, click here.
–Herald and News is reporting that, “A climbing team high on Mount Shasta encountered a sudden hazard Saturday morning when one climber was struck by falling rock or ice above Helen Lake. According to the U.S. Forest Service — Shasta-Trinity National Forest, ‘Despite being on a day trip with limited extra gear, the partner acted quickly, assisting the injured climber to a safer location at Helen Lake, using available resources to keep them warm, and initiating a 911 call. These actions were critical in stabilizing the situation until help arrived. An immediate, coordinated interagency response followed.'” To read more, click here.
–Peninsula Daily News is reporting that, “Olympic National Park will receive $768,483 in grant funding this year to support projects including backcountry trail work, infrastructure improvements, youth science programs and initiatives to improve access for visitors.” To read more, click here.
–Columbia Gorge News is reporting that, “After getting the lifts turning just a few days before Christmas, Mt. Hood Meadows is closing for the season on April 12, the earliest date in recent memory.” To read more, click here.
Sierra-Nevada:
–Los Angeles Today is reporting on the interesting journey of a wolf: “A 3-year-old female wolf that previously made headlines for venturing into Los Angeles County has now crossed the Sierra Nevada mountains and arrived in Inyo County, marking the first documented wolf presence in the Eastern Sierra region in more than 100 years. The wolf, known as BEY03F, has already traveled hundreds of miles from her birthplace in Plumas County and is likely still searching for a mate.” To read more, click here.
Desert Southwest:
–KVVU TV is reporting that, “The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department’s Search and Rescue team carried out another rescue over the weekend at Red Rock Canyon. On Friday, April 3, 2026, at about 9 p.m., search and rescue crews aboard AIR3 carried out a rescue in Black Velvet Canyon at Red Rock after two climbers became stranded during their descent.” To read more, click here.
–Unofficial Networks is reporting on an expansion at the Las Vegas Ski and Snowboard resort. “Lee Canyon officially announced $5 million in offseason investments for 2026. Most notably, the Nevada ski resort will be expanding into the West Bowl, as detailed in its approved master plan. It will be serviced by a new SkyTrac fixed-grip quad.” To read more, click here.
Colorado and Utah:
–Gripped is reporting that, “Bridal Veil Falls, one of Telluride’s legendary ice lines, has seen its first documented female adaptive ascent. On March 16, Kimber Cross, a sponsored athlete and kindergarten teacher, topped the 365-foot line.” To read more, click here.
–Fox 31 is reporting that, “Two hikers were rescued from a mountain lion at midnight during a snowstorm, according to a social media post from the Clear Creek County Sheriff’s Office. Last Thursday, two hikers called the sheriff’s office around 10 p.m. and told them they were being stalked by a mountain lion at St. Mary’s Glacier. The office deployed a backcountry rescue team to help the hikers.” To read more, click here.
–SnowBrains is reporting that, “It’s official: Colorado and Utah have now both recorded the worst snow years in modern history, with April 1 snowpack numbers, confirming what skiers, water managers, and forecasters have been watching all winter. What should be the high point of the season instead arrived with bare ground, depleted mountain snowpack, and some of the lowest snow water equivalent totals ever measured in either state.” To read more, click here.
–ABC 4 is reporting that, “Multiple companies are speaking out against a recent decision by the United States Forest Service to restructure its agency and move the headquarters to Salt Lake City. On March 31, the United States Forest Service (USFS) announced that it would be moving its headquarters to Salt Lake City, noting that its lands and partners are concentrated in the U.S. West.” To read more, click here.
Notes from All Over:
–Fox Non-Stop Local is reporting that, “Teton County Search and Rescue (TCSAR) conducted two backcountry rescues on Saturday, April 4, including an avalanched skier near White Hump by Philips Bench on Teton Pass and an injured climber at Hoback Shield just south of Jackson.” To read more, click here.
–Yale Climate Connections has published an article about how poorly the ski industry has been reacting to anthropogenic climate change, even though it has severely impacted their bottom line. To read more, click here.
–It appears that Parks and land managers throughout the western states will be cracking down on PCT thru hikers that treat their start date as a suggestion. Managers are trying to avoid PCT bubbles in sensitive areas. To learn more, click here.
–Rangers at the Great Smokey Mountains National Park are concerned about an uptick in accidents. They recently asked visitors to prepare better for their adventures. Read more, here.
–The 2024 Jasper wildfire spared Marmot Basin ski area, but there are serious access road issues. Read more.
–The National Parks Traveller is reporting that, “Devils Tower, a 265-m-high rock tower of intrusive igneous rock, is in constant motion, according to a 2026 study. The tower, located within Devils Tower National Monument in Wyoming, sways back and forth about once every second (~1 Hz), and the movements are tiny at only fractions of a millimeter.” To read more, click here.