American Alpine Institute News:
–AAI just finished a successful Alaska season with dozens of climbers reaching the summit of Denali and several other iconic peaks. Check out the Denali program page for information on discounts in 2027.
Pacific Northwest:
–Fox News is reporting that, “A 31-year-old novice climber survived a roughly 1,500-foot slide down California’s Mount Shasta after worsening weather forced rescuers to abandon plans for a direct helicopter rescue, sending climbing rangers scrambling up the mountain on foot before she could be flown to a hospital.” To read more, click here.
–An injured climber was retrieved from Mt. Stuart over the weekend. However, there is limited information at this time.
–A new study indicates that the Whistler Glacier could be gone within a decade. To read about it, click here.
Sierra-Nevada:
–Outside is reporting on some nasty stuff: “A camper in California is lucky to be alive after he fell into a campground toilet chasing a pair of sunglasses.” To read more, click here.
–SF Gate is reporting on a new documentary about a protest in Yosemite: “Last February, when visitors flocked to Yosemite National Park to watch the Firefall, they were surprised to spot another attention-grabbing feature on the park’s sheer granite. Six rock climbers had unfurled an enormous, upside-down American flag on El Capitan. The gesture, the climbers explained in a statement at the time, was a protest against what they perceived as the federal government’s attacks on public lands. Thousands of Park Service employees had been indiscriminately fired, threatening the parks’ day-to-day operations. The protest made national news.” To read more, click here.
–SnowBrains is reporting that, “Every Fourth of July, masses of tourists flock to the beautiful beaches surrounding the majestic, blue water of Lake Tahoe. Unfortunately, with the extreme influx of people comes significant trash left along the shores, parking lots, and trails. Every year, locals and tourists spend the morning of July 5 picking up litter around the lake with Keep Tahoe Blue. This year, during the 13th Annual Keep Tahoe Red, White, and Blue Cleanup, the organization documented more than 446 volunteers across six beach locations. They removed an estimated 1,300 pounds of trash. There is one positive aspect to that shockingly-large number; it is less than the 12-year average on this day, and considerably less than the outrageous 8559 pounds picked up in 2023.” To read more, click here.
Desert Southwest:
–8 News Now is reporting that, “Three hikers who were dehydrated and suffering from heat exhaustion were rescued by helicopter at Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area on Saturday.” To read more, click here.
–Joshua Tree closed its Covington Flats area over the Fourth of July holiday. Why? Wildfire risk. There have been several fires in Joshua Tree National Park over the last few years. But the original fire, the fire that made them first consider closing the area was from a backpacker trying to burn his toilet paper. Read more.
–The Hi-Desert Star is reporting that, “Expecting to find rare earth minerals used in technology and medical imaging, an Australian company has staked claims near Joshua Tree National Park and the city of Twentynine Palms.” To read more, click here.
Colorado and Utah:
–Denver ABC 7 is reporting that, “a climber died on a route up the east face of Longs Peak on Sunday. Rocky Mountain National Park Search and Rescue team members learned about the incident early in the afternoon on Sunday. The climber had been on the upper east face of Longs Peak, a 14,259-foot mountain within the park, climbing the Kiener’s Route, according to the National Park Service.” To read more, click here.
–A Colorado BASE jumper called for a rescue, stating that he had a broken leg. When rescuers arrived with gear and a helicopter, he denied that he needed it and limped out with a friend. Read more here.
–NPR and others are reporting on the tragic death of wildland firefighters last week: “Three firefighters were killed and two others injured Saturday while they tackled wildfires on the Colorado-Utah border, the U.S. Wildland Fire Service announced. The agency said the crew members had been part of an interagency response to the Knowles and Gore fires.” To read more, click here.
–SF Gate is reporting that, “David Vander Meer, the former Las Vegas youth pastor accused of murdering his wife during a hike at Zion National Park nearly 20 years ago, died on Thursday before he could face the charges, KSNV-TV reports.” This is being reported as a suicide. To read more, click here.
–According to SnowBrains, a pair of brothers “purchased property less than two hours south of Salt Lake City in Springville, Utah, with a vision that sounds almost too good to be true: create their own personal backcountry ski and snowboard playground. What has emerged is Moose Springs Ranch, a mountainous property that receives roughly 300 inches of snow each winter, features four peaks, and offers more than 1,200 feet of vertical.” To read more, click here.
–ABC 4 Salt Lake is reporting that, “A group of unions, environmental and civic organizations, and local governments has filed a lawsuit challenging the planned restructuring of the U.S. Forest Service, which includes moving the agency’s headquarters to Salt Lake City and closing regional offices and research facilities across the country.” To read more, click here.
Notes from All Over:
–Climbing is reporting that, “competitive ice climbers around the world got some bad news: France has rejected a proposal to add their sport to the 2030 Games.” To read more, click here.
–The Washington Examiner and others are reporting that, “The Interior Department has directed National Park Service employees and other agency staff not to publicly confirm deaths or severe injuries in national parks, according to a report. An internal memo issued in December instructs Interior Department employees, including park staff and communications personnel, that they “shall not confirm a death” or disclose details about serious injuries, the Washington Post reported, in what would mark a significant shift from the agency’s long-standing practice of releasing information about fatal incidents.” To read more, click here.
–CBC is reporting that, “A Parks Canada report says the temperature in Banff National Park could rise by three to six degrees in the next few decades due to climate change. The report cautions warming temperatures can lead to more rain in winter months, drier summers, increased wildfire risk and higher chances of glacial melt.” To read more, click here.
–Gripped is reporting that, “A huge rockfall in Banff has destroyed the start of a multi-pitch on Mount Rundle called the Ridge of Death, which was first climbed over 50 years ago. Several people were in the area, but Parks Canada said that everyone was accounted for.” To read more, click here.
–SnowBrains is reporting that, “The legal case following the death of a veteran Jackson Hole Mountain Resort instructor has moved to federal court. Cynthia Wuerslin, the widow of Peter Wuerslin, has filed a civil wrongful death lawsuit against the skier involved in the fatal April 2024 accident. As reported by the Jackson Hole News & Guide on June 17, 2026, the lawsuit was filed in Teton County District Court before being transferred to the U.S. District Court for the District of Wyoming on May 18, 2026.” To read more, click here.