American Alpine Institute News:
–AAI’s office and retail shop will be closed on Monday, September 7th in observance of Labor Day.
–It’s time to start thinking about climbing in the Southwest. Book a trip to Red Rock Canyon or to Joshua Tree National Park.
–If you’re getting ready for snow, consider our new Ski Mountaineering and Avalanche leadership series, or even our Alaska Range Ski Mountaineering program!
Northwest:
–Using AI to plan a climb is a bad idea. KRCR 7 is reporting on the outcomes of such a plan: “Three novice climbers were rescued from Mount Shasta on Sunday after becoming lost, running low on supplies and spending an unplanned night in Mud Creek Canyon, the U.S. Forest Service – Shasta-Trinity National Forest (USFS) said. The group began its climb from the Clear Creek Trailhead on Saturday, Aug. 29, and set up camp near the head springs of Clear Creek at about 8 p.m. Officials said the site was prohibited because it is within the water and spring zone.” To read more, click here.
–KIRO 7 is reporting that a man stuck on a rock face on Mt. Daniel that was rescued by a helicopter is making a $10,000 donation to the rescue team. Read about it here.
–CBC is reporting that, “A climber in British Columbia was rescued by helicopter after being stung more than 100 times by wasps in backcountry north of Vancouver. Lions Bay Search and Rescue says in a social media post on Tuesday that the female climber was on Redoubt Wall near Loggers Creek when she encountered the insects.” To read more, click here.
–Gripped is reporting that, “On Aug. 27, Alan “Hevy Duty” Stevenson underwent emergency neurosurgery after suffering a hemorrhagic stroke, according to a GoFundMe by Ryan Block and Erica Olson. He is now stable and recovering in intensive care at Lions Gate Hospital. Hevy Duty is a fixture in the Squamish climbing scene who’s been developing routes and building communities for decades.” To read more, click here.
–KIRO 7 is reporting that, “The Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office says it’s been responding to calls for help – all summer – from a specific hiking trail in the Cascade Mountains. The county’s Search and Rescue team says social media posts are making theVesper Peak Trail more popular, but it’s not for beginning hikers, and many are running into trouble. Sgt. Greg Sanders, with Search and Rescue, notes they received 65-70 calls for Vesper Peak between May and September of 2025, and between May and August this year.” To read more, click here.
–KGW8 is reporting that, “Multiple restrooms were destroyed at Oregon State Parks along the Oregon Coast. Photos of the vandalism show smashed toilet bowls, doors and stalls ripped off their hinges, and a shattered mirror. The vandalism occurred at Agate Beach State Wayside, Otter Rock State Park, Gleneden Beach State Park and Fogarty Creek State Park between approximately 10 p.m. on Friday and 7 a.m. on Saturday, Oregon State Police said. All the parks sit within 20 miles of each other in Lincoln County.” To read more, click here.
–Spokane Public Schools is proving impromptu day camps for the children of wildfire survivors. Read about it here.
–The BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) is lifting the campfire ban for the Coastal Fire Centre starting at noon Thursday, Sept. 3. Campfire bans have been in place for most regions of the Coastal Fire Centre – including the southern half of Vancouver Island and large swathes of the Lower Mainland – since July 16. Read more.
Sierra-Nevada:
–7 Eyewitness News is reporting that, “Volunteers carried out a more than 15-hour operation to rescue a man who got off route in the Sierra Nevada and was stranded on a small ledge, the Mono County Sheriff Search and Rescue Team said. A four-person team carried out the rescue on August 22 near Mammoth Lakes, California, in a precarious gully. The challenge came in having no time to spare with thousands of feet of vertical exposure below, said team spokesperson Mitchell Quiring.” To read more, click here.
–The New Republic is reporting that, “President Trump wants to give part of Yosemite National Park to a private developer. The Trump administration is trying to give a parcel of the park, about 0.25 miles long, to Kingsbarn Realty Capital, a real estate developer in Nevada. The government’s proposal has the National Park Service either giving up the land or “interest” in the land in the form of an easement, in exchange for land elsewhere in California that is equal in value.” To read more, click here.
Desert Southwest:
–ABC News is reporting that, “Two people are dead and at least one person remains missing following a major flash-flooding event at the Grand Canyon over the weekend, as cadaver dogs are expected to be used in the ongoing search of the devastated areas, authorities said. The current missing-person count is based on overnight camping permits issued by the park, officials said, while acknowledging that additional day hikers who did not have permits could also be missing.” To read more, click here.
Colorado and Utah:
–It’s rare to hear about accidents on via ferratas in the United States. However, there was an injury this week on the via ferrata in Ouray. Read about it here.
–On September 2, Access Fund filed a motion asking the court to re-open its existing lawsuit against the President’s unlawful actions and permit it to challenge this latest attempt to dismantle Bears Ears National Monument. To read more, click here.
–The Post Independent is reporting that, “Anne Cassidy had just unloaded from Gent’s Ridge lift on Aspen Mountain in February 2024 when she felt a jolt from behind that caused her knees to ‘crumble like a lawn chair.’ She had been hit by a snowboarder, who quickly fled the scene, according to court documents at the time. More than two years later, Eric “Riku” Banushi, a snowboarder from New Jersey, was sentenced to 45 days in jail on Friday after a Pitkin County jury convicted him of third-degree assault, reckless endangerment and violating the Colorado Ski Safety Act.” To read more, click here.
–My Modern Met is reporting that, “everyone deserves the opportunity to experience the beauty of America’s national parks. With that sentiment in mind, Zion National Park is making more of its incredible landscape accessible to visitors with disabilities and mobility challenges by introducing an all-terrain wheelchair available for public use.” To read more, click here.
–Park City Mountain is rebranding for the third time since Vail Resorts acquired the resort in 2014. This time, Olympic snowboarder Shaun White will serve as the face and voice of the campaign. Read more.
Notes from All Over:
–WRAL News is reporting that, “Rescuers with the Charlotte Fire Department were deployed to an active recovery operation in the North Carolina mountains Sunday morning. North Carolina Helo-Aquatic Rescue Team (NCHART) aircraft Kill Devil 244 was dispatched to assist the Burke County Emergency Services and Emergency Management Office with the recovery operation of an injured climber.” To read more, click here.
–This headline says it all: Big Bend National Park Border Contract Could Fund the Entire Park for 210 Years. Read more.
–At 91, Dale “Grey Beard” Sanders has reclaimed the record as the oldest person to complete the Appalachian Trail. Sanders began his journey in West Virginia on Sept. 6, taking brief breaks along the way before finishing atop Maine’s highest peak, where he paused to pray at the summit sign. To read more, click here.
–In contrast to national headlines, some specialty outdoor retailers report record or near-record summer sales in 2026, with one on pace for its best year ever. Growth is being driven by categories including trail running, camping, backcountry skiing, and consignment, depending on the region. Strong community loyalty and carefully curated selections of smaller brands are also helping independent retailers outperform broader national trends. To read about it, click here.
–SnowBrains is reporting that, “Vail Resorts is now facing a third class-action lawsuit tied to its ski pass pricing practices, and for the first time, the plaintiff isn’t a skier — it’s a shareholder. Gary Peterson, a Vail Resorts investor, filed a securities class action against the company and its board of directors this week, alleging that the same alleged price-fixing scheme at the center of two separate antitrust lawsuits also amounts to a breach of the board’s duties to shareholders — and that Vail misled investors about it.” To read more, click here.