American Alpine Institute News:
–After a successful season in Alaska, AAI is currently booking trips for the 2027 Denali (Mt. McKinley) season. Find discounts on select trips here.
–This is a good time of year to look at all of AAI’s current discounts and promotions.
Northwest:
–The National Park Service is reporting that, “the National Park Service has selected Jason J. Taylor as superintendent of the North Cascades National Park Service Complex, which includes North Cascades National Park, Ross Lake National Recreation Area and Lake Chelan National Recreation Area. He will assume the role in late September. Taylor brings more than 20 years of government experience to the position. He has served as acting superintendent of the North Cascades National Park Service Complex since May 2026, leading park operations, resource stewardship, visitor services, and partnerships.” To read more, click here.
–The parking lots at Mt. Rainier are filling up as early as 7am on some weekends this summer. Read more.
–Go Skagit is reporting that, “The Border 2 Fire burning in the North Cascades National Park Service Complex was estimated Wednesday to be 6,433 acres. The fire has grown from an estimated 5,028 acres on Sunday. According to a National Park Service news release, hot and dry weather made for increase fire activity Monday for the Border 2 Fire and the nearby Luna Fire.” To read more, click here.
–Mt. Hood Meadows Ski Area has been evacuated due to the nearby Grasshopper Fire. Read more.
Sierra-Nevada:
–Fire restrictions will be implemented in Yosemite on Friday, August 7th. This is due to the increased risk of wildfires.
–The New York Post is reporting that, “Visitors heading to Yosemite National Park are being warned about a terrifying park hazard involving ‘Summer Branch Drop’ after a Google engineer was killed by a fallen tree limb. The park said Monday that with the hot summer days it’s now ‘Summer Branch Drop’ season, where a seemingly healthy tree suddenly loses a limb without warning.” Some studies indicate that this is the result of extreme heat, but others claim the data is inconclusive. To read more, click here.
–Someone found a long discontinued point of view camera at Mammoth. It appears to have been lost 14-years ago. They are now looking for the camera’s owner. Read more.
Desert Southwest:
–Fourteen years after legendary Grand Canyon hiker Bill Ott disappeared on a solo trek, authorities have finally identified his remains. Ott, the first person to complete a north-side traverse of the Grand Canyon, vanished in 2012 while searching for ancient rock art on the Hualapai Reservation. His family’s long wait for answers is over, but the mystery of what happened in those rugged canyons remains. Read the full story at Outside.
–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. Dateline Resources has staked 969 claims on 19,380 acres in the Music Valley in Riverside and San Bernardino counties, the vast majority in San Bernardino County, for the Music Valley Heavy Rare Earth Project.” This claim goes right up to the border of the Park. To read more, click here.
–Fox 5 is reporting that, “Despite extreme temperatures, hikers continue to take to local trails, prompting a surge in search and rescue calls across the Las Vegas area, according to Red Rock Search and Rescue. AnJaneen Simenson, a lieutenant with the organization’s People Support Team and an eight-year volunteer with more than 100 searches, said even Mount Charleston — which sits at a higher elevation than the Las Vegas Valley — is not a safe escape from the heat to go hiking.” To read more, click here.
Colorado and Utah:
–CBS News is reporting that, “Rescue crews in southern Colorado rushed to rescue a climber over the weekend who had fallen about 50 feet while traversing between Little Bear Peak and Blanca Peak in Alamosa County. Alamosa Volunteer Search and Rescue said that the climber came to a rest on a narrow ledge and was at risk for a secondary fall.” To read more, click here.
–A mysterious nationwide campaign featuring a man dressed as Ullr and a website counting down to “theyleftusoffthemap.com” suggests Breckenridge Ski Resort is preparing for a major rebrand, drawing inspiration from a famous 1880 mapping error that turned the town into a “No Man’s Land.” Read more.
–Ski is reporting that, “Eagle Point Resort announced that it will not open for skiing this winter. In June, the Cottonwood Fire caused extensive damage to the southern Utah resort’s lifts, ski terrain, and surrounding forest. In a statement to SKI, Eagle Point cited this destruction, along with the extensive recovery work still needed, as the reason it won’t be reopening.” To read more, click here.
Notes from All Over:
–Outdoor Sportswire is reporting that, “Leave No Trace is seeking accomplished, mission-driven leaders to join its all-volunteer Board of Directors. This is an opportunity to help guide one of the world’s leading environmental nonprofits as we advance a bold vision: establishing Leave No Trace as the global standard of care for the outdoors through science, education, and partnership. We are looking for experienced nonprofit board leaders and executives whose expertise can help strengthen the organization during an important period of growth and innovation.” To read more, click here.
–A former Park Ranger is handing out flyers on the history of National Park sites that has been removed by the Trump Administration. Read more.
–SGB Media is reporting that, “Mammut Sports Group (Mammut) owner Jacobs Capital has signed an agreement to sell the Swiss premium outdoor brand to CPE, a Chinese alternative asset manager. The transaction reportedly follows a successful transformation of Mammut under Jacobs Capital’s ownership. Mammut serves mountain sports enthusiasts around the world through a diversified combination of digital channels, its own stores, and premium retail partners.” To read more, click here.