Well, I hope everyone is gearing up for yet another 4th of July full of celebration and great outdoor adventures. This week I decided to bring all you Weekend Warriors a little dose of speed ascents, since nothing quite says America like climbing as fast as you possibly can up a rock/snow/ice face. So, enjoy the show and try not to light anything on fire this weekend! Read Full Story
On June 27, 2009, DC Dugdale and I began a four-day trip to Boston Basin with the American Alpine Institute. This was not DC’s first trip with AAI, but it was our first trip together. Our objective was the Northwest Face of Forbidden. Neither DC nor myself had ever climbed the route before, but the route looked amazing.The line had all the qualities of a Cascades adventure. There would be glacier travel, steep snow, and rock climbing. There was limited route beta available for the climb, and... Read Full Story
Northwest:--Twenty-seven year-old Kristopher Haskins was hit by two large boulders while climbing the Sandy Glacier Headwall on Mount Hood on Sunday. The impact broke both of the young man's legs. Haskins' partner, Jim Prager, was forced to leave in order to obtain help. To read more, click here.--A climbing ranger was injured while skiing down from Mt. Rainier's summit Wednesday afternoon. Two rangers had reached the summit earlier in the day and were skiing back down to Camp Sherman when... Read Full Story
AAI just received the following email from Denali National Park:National Park Service Advises Visitors to Use Caution With Fire During Fourth of July HolidayThe upcoming holiday weekend is forecast to be warm and mostly dry, and Denali National Park and Preserve officials are asking visitors to be especially cautious with their use of fire while enjoying the park. As of this date over 300 fires have burned in Alaska, and two-thirds were human caused. Wildland fuels such as grass, brush, and t... Read Full Story
AAI just received the following email from the National Park Service:Washington DC — The National Park Service has announced that after six years of collaborative negotiations, they have finalized and signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Access Fund. The newly signed MOU frames a cooperative relationship between the climbing community and the National Park Service. It outlines the common interests that the parties share—such as conservation and planning—as well as how they will... Read Full Story
NORTHWEST:--Forecast for the West Slope of the Cascades.--Forecast for the East Slope of the Cascades.Pat Gallagher on the Thin Red Line. Photo by Eric Linthwaite--Pat Gallagher and Eric Linthwaite headed up to Washington Pass last weekend to attempt the Thin Red Line on Liberty Bell. For a full trip report of their adventure click here.--Webcam for Leavenworth and the Stuart Range.--Forecast for Mount Rainier.--Forest Service Road Report for Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest.--Here is... Read Full Story
AAI’s new guide training is over. As one of the new hires, I’m happy it is done and eager to work. I'm incredibly glad that I decided to work for the Institute. I was impressed by the quality of the training offered, and came away a much more well-rounded guide.AAI Guide Training - Class of 2009 (left to right) Alaina Robertson, Mike Powers (instructor), Kevin Hogan, Scott MasseyPhoto by Dana HickenbottomBig smiles after a successful ascent of the Beckey Route on Liberty Bell.Photo by Dana... Read Full Story
--July 3 -- Harrisburg, PA --Climb up the 50--July 11 -- La Fayette, GA -- Rock Town Clean Up--July 8-12 -- Lander, Wyoming --International Climber's Festival--July 18 -- Castlewood Canyon, Castle Rock, CO --Summer Sandstone Series: Castlewood Canyon Bouldering Comp and Clean-Up--July 18 -- Raleigh, NC --American Alpine Club Wilderness First Aid Course--July 18 -- Sunnyvale, CA --ASCA Climb-a-thon at Planet Granite--July 20 -- Reel Rock Film Competition Submission Deadline--July 25 -- Obed/C... Read Full Story
AAI just received the following email from Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest:Everett, Wa. June 29, 2009 — The Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest is closing several roads on the I-90 corridor to target shooters starting July 4th weekend. The closure area encompasses the valley bottom that follows the I-90 freeway corridor from exit 38 to the top of Snoqualmie Pass. The Tinkham and Denny Creek roads are included.“We have a serious public safety concern,” said Snoqualmie District Ranger... Read Full Story
There is no doubt that rappelling is the most dangerous thing that we regularly do in this sport. There are more climber injuries and fatalities from mistakes rappelling than from any other place in all of climbing. However, there are some things that every climber can do to make rappelling safer.First, if it is possible to safely walk off from the top of a climb, simply walk off. Limiting the amount of time that you spend rappelling is a surefire way to limit the amount of exposure that y... Read Full Story
