Northwest:
–SnowBrains is reporting that, “Two guests at Whistler Blackcomb narrowly avoided injury in an inbounds avalanche on February 2. The incident took place in the Saudan Couloir, an ‘experts-only’ run, on Blackcomb Mountain known for its steep pitch and demanding terrain. This avalanche highlights the persistent risks present in steep, high-alpine terrain even within resort boundaries.” To read more, click here.
–A climber on Vancouver Island free soloed up to an injured paraglider to provide assistance. Read more.
–Unofficial Networks is reporting that, “Tough break for Mt. Shasta Ski Park in California where a heavy dose of rain decimated their snowpack and forced a temporarily suspension of operations that started February 9th.” To read more, click here.
–There was rockfall on the Stawamus Chief on Wednesday morning. You can see a webcam of it here.
Sierra:
–KTLA 5 is reporting that, “A skier plunged to his death at Mammoth Mountain last Thursday on one of the steepest trails in California, resort officials said. The skier had been attempting an infamous chute known as Dropout 2 when he lost control. According to witnesses, he fell from a 1,000-foot drop, came out of his skis and slid headfirst down the slope, possibly striking a rock.” To read more, click here.
–The Tahoe Daily Tribune is reporting that, “Two hikers were rescued Saturday evening after becoming lost near Mount Rose Summit, prompting a response from the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue team. According to the sheriff’s office, the pair went off-trail and were unable to find their way back to their vehicle as nightfall approached and weather conditions deteriorated. With temperatures dropping, the hikers called 911 for assistance.” To read more, click here.
Desert Southwest:
–The Las Vegas Review Journal is reporting that, “On Tuesday, the Center for Biological Diversity and Save Red Rock filed a petition with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service asking it consider listing the rare sunflower under the Endangered Species Act. The three springs the flower grows near are in one of the most highly visited sections of the conservation area: Calico Basin. Fewer than 1,000 flowers remain in the wild, according to population counts referenced in Tuesday’s petition.” To read more, click here.
Colorado and Utah:
–The Coloradan is reporting that, “Two people were rescued from Longs Peak after spending a night on the 14,259-foot mountain in Rocky Mountain National Park. The two men, ages 47 and 50, contacted park rangers late at night Feb. 6 to tell them they were on Kiener’s Route, unable to continue and had not planned to remain overnight on the peak, according to a Rocky Mountain National Park news release.” To read more, click here.
Notes from All Over:
–KROC is reporting that, “The deadly incident occurred at Welch Village near Red Wing on February 1. The Minnesota Star Tribune reported that the Red Wing Fire Department responded to the scene that evening after a skier crashed into a lift tower. Life-saving measures were attempted, but the skier was pronounced dead at the scene.” To read more, click here.
–The Chattanoogan is reporting on a climber that fell in Tennessee: “The climber fell 25-30 feet south of Sunset Rock along the Bluff Trail. He required a technical carry-out to the Sunset Rock Trailhead, where care was transferred to Hamilton County EMS.” To read more, click here.
–SGB Media is reporting that, “The retail operator of Eddie Bauer in North America, is expected to file for bankruptcy under a plan to close all of its stores in the U.S. and Canada, according to multiple reports. Any bankruptcy reorganization will not impact Eddie Bauer’s manufacturing, wholesale, or e-commerce operations, as well as its retail operations outside of the U.S. and Canada.” To read more, click here.
–SnowBrains is reporting that, “Unlike many countries around the world, the United States government does not reward its Olympians. But one man, billionaire Ross Stevens, is looking to help the U.S. Olympic athletes get paid. tevens, who founded Stone Ridge Holdings Group, recently donated $100 million to the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC) for the purpose of providing athletes more financial stability. Beginning with the Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics this month, each athlete will receive $200,000 in benefits whether they medal or not.” To read more, click here.
–Gear Junkie is reporting that, “despite the longest government shutdown in U.S. history and massive layoffs of NPS staff, visitation to the national parks remained strong. A tally of visitors to all 63 parks in 2025 results in a total of 118.1 million visitors. That’s a 0.6% decrease from 2024, but one that can be explained, at least in part, by the 43-day government shutdown, when national parks were technically open, but mostly without staff.” To read more, click here.
–Gripped is reporting that, “In January, Brette Harrington, Christina Lusti, and Gee Pierrel completed the first ski descent of the North Glacier on Mount Deltaform in Canada. Originally climbed in June 1968, the route is no longer recommended or even mentioned in current guidebooks due to significant changes in the glacier and increased objective hazard from serac fall. The couloir is 700 metres and goes at a steady 50 degree.” To read more, click here.
–Climbing is reporting that a popular crag in Alaska may be on the chopping block: “In late December, the Alaska Department of Transportation shared draft plans for its Safer Seward Highway project: a proposal to realign and widen road sections beneath roadside crags including Resolution Bluff, Goats Head Soup, Bermuda Triangle, Twinkle Toes and the Weeping Wall. According to the Climbers Alliance of Southcentral Alaska (CASA), this project will permanently eliminate roughly 52 percent of established climbing routes along the Seward Highway and limit access to the rest of them.” To read more, click here.
—Vermont’s Smuggler’s Notch Ski Resort has new owners.