American Alpine Institute News:
–Follow along with AAI’s Alaska and Denali programs on our dispatches page!
–Check out AAI’s new Alaska Range Ski Mountaineering program here.
Northwest:
–King 5 is reporting that, “A climber suffered serious injuries after falling approximately 300 feet while attempting to summit Mount Deception in Olympic National Park, according to park officials and a fundraiser organized on her behalf.” To read more, click here.
–SnowBrains is reporting that, “The ambitious vision of a modern gondola rising from Government Camp up the slopes of Mount Hood has been discarded. Timberline Lodge and Ski Area has scrapped the high-profile project, choosing instead to re-engineer how guests transition between its lower and upper mountain terrain.” To read more, click here.
–The Squamish Access Society is reporting that, “to protect Peregrine Falcons and park visitors, the climbing routes the Grand Wall (specifically Pitch 4 [the Split Pillar] and above), the Black Dyke, Europa, Millenium Falcon, The Gauntlet, and Sunset Strip, are CLOSED to climbing. The shorter routes along the lower portion of the Grand Wall and Western Dihedrals in this area remain open.’ To read more, click here.
–Mt. Bachelor is putting some serious investment into its infrastructure this summer. They are modernizing one of their lifts and upgrading their bike park. Read about it here.
–Powder is reporting that, “Big things could be coming to one of the ski resorts above Vancouver, British Columbia, in the coming decades. The details are covered by Mt. Seymour’s latest development plan, a forward-looking document. First and foremost, local skiers will notice the lifts. Right now, Mt. Seymour has four. If every part of the plan comes together, the resort will have 14, including chairlifts, surface lifts, and t-bars.” To read more, click here.
–The New York Post is reporting that, “Scientists are warning that Washington’s Mount Rainier could unleash a catastrophic mudslide that has the potential to devastate three large towns within minutes. Often considered the crown jewel of Washington postcards, the over 14,000-foot-tall mountain is deemed the most dangerous in the US due to its towering height, frequent earthquakes, and precarious location upstream of a population center with over 100,000 people.” To read more, click here.
–Loup Loup, a Washington not-for-profit ski area, was never able to open in the 2025-2026 season. Limited snowfall and insurance costs are forcing the organization to re-organize to stay solevent. Read more.
Sierra-Nevada:
–NPR is reporting that, “Wildfire risk is rising across the West after a dry winter and ongoing drought left vegetation more vulnerable to fire. Now, researchers at the University of Nevada, Reno are putting about $3.5 million in federal funding to work on a project aimed at reducing that risk in the eastern Sierra Nevada.” To read more, click here.
–AccuWeather is reporting that, “Yosemite National Park saw long lines and heavy crowds over Memorial Day weekend, offering an early look at what visitors may face this summer after the National Park Service ended the park’s peak-season reservation requirement for 2026.” To read more, click here.
Desert Southwest:
–Fox 5 is reporting on trail work above Las Vegas: “Work is officially underway on a popular Mt. Charleston trail that has been closed since 2023. Crews are rebuilding the Mary Jane Trail and repairing the Trail Canyon and Mary Jane parking lots after Tropical Storm Hilary caused major damage last summer.” To read more, click here.
—Joshua Tree National Park is looking for AmeriCorps interpretive assistants to help with visitation, trail work and native plant restoration. The position is 20-weeks long. Learn more here.
Colorado and Utah:
–Outside is reporting that, “A hiker is safe after sliding down a 200-foot fall in Colorado’s Maroon Bells on Saturday, May 30. The person, whose name and age have not yet been released, suffered non-life-threatening injuries when they slipped at an elevation of around 11,300 feet.” To read more, click here.
–SnowBrains is reporting on one of the most crowded recreational highways in the country: “On May 21, the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) approved a 10-year, $300 million plan that includes major upgrades to the I-70 Mountain Corridor and other mountain roads across the state. The plan, approved by the 11-member Colorado Transportation Commission, covers more than 250 projects with goals of fixing roads, improving safety, and increasing sustainability.” To read more, click here.
–Boulder County announced that, “Colorado Parks & Wildlife and City of Boulder Open Space & Mountain Parks will offer a free shuttle service on weekends and holidays this summer and fall to carry passengers from Superior, Boulder, and Marshall to Eldorado Canyon State Park, a popular hiking, sightseeing, and climbing destination.” To read more, click here.
–SnowBrains is reporting that, “Park City Mountain Resort (PCMR), Utah, finally gained approval for two major lift upgrades for Silverlode and Eagle, which have been in talks since 2021. The Park City Planning Commission voted unanimously on Wednesday, May 27, in support of the lift projects. The Silverlode six-pack will be upgraded into an eight-pack express. The Eagle triple and Eaglet lifts will be removed, making room for the new Eagle Express six-pack with a mid-station for lapping beginner and intermediate terrain.” To read more, click here.
Notes from All Over:
–SnowBrains is reporting that, “Three climbers have died and a fourth was rescued after a fall near Denali Pass on Alaska’s Denali, North America’s highest peak. The climbers were part of a seven-member Latvian mountaineering expedition ascending the mountain’s popular West Buttress route when four members of the team fell Wednesday near Denali Pass at approximately 18,200 feet (5,550 meters), according to Denali National Park and Preserve.” To read more, click here.
–In a separate event, a climber died on Denali after suffering from a medical issue. Read more here.
–Oregon Live is reporting that, “Bend-based drag queen Pattie Gonia this weekend offered to drop a trademark application for her name if corporate retailer Patagonia would drop a lawsuit against the climate activist. Meanwhile, the company said it also wanted to resolve the dispute but is asking Pattie Gonia not only to withdraw all trademark applications but also to ‘stop using our logos’ and ‘stop selling and promoting apparel and other products as Pattie Gonia.'” To read more, click here.
–SnowBrains is reporting that, “The U.S. Forest Service has officially approved a 694-acre boundary expansion for Grand Targhee Resort, allowing the ski area to develop new terrain in Teton Canyon and build a new restaurant on Fred’s Mountain. According to a formal announcement from the Caribou-Targhee National Forest, which was first detailed in a report by the Jackson Hole News&Guide, the decision follows an extensive federal review of more than 2,100 public comments submitted after a draft environmental review was released in March 2025.” To read more, click here.
–Shop Eat Surf X Outdoor is reporting that, “Workers at REI’s San Diego store have voted to unionize, becoming the 12th REI location to seek union representation, even as the co-op reported its Anniversary Sale exceeded forecasts despite a nationwide boycott called by the union.” To read more, click here.
–National Parks Traveler is reporting that, “Glacier National Park has closed Grinnell Glacier Trail following a bear attack that occurred on May 28. A 32-year-old man sustained non-life-threatening injuries during the surprise encounter with a grizzly bear, which occurred in a snowfield approximately 3.5 miles up the trail.” To read more, click here.