Northwest:
Mount Hood -- 11,249'
--Two years ago, a winter ascent of the technical North Face of Mount Hood went terribly wrong for three strong climbers. Kelly James, Brian Hall and Jerry Cooke perished in an unexpected storm high on the mountain...and the search for the trio became an international news story. Pundits who knew absolutely nothing about mountain climbing shared terribly misinformed opinions about the sport and about the decisions that these three climbers made. Now Karen James -- Kelly James' widow -- has come out with a book about the tragedy. It appears that the book is designed to refute much of the reactionary responses to her husband's decisions. To read more,
click here.
Notes from All Over:--Washington state climber Joseph Puryear and David Gottlieb recently made the first ascent of Kang Nachugo (22,096') in the Rolwaling Himal, Nepal. The previously unclimbed peak lies on the Tibet/Nepal border. Puryear and Gottlieb sent the new line alpine style in five days. To read more,
click here.
--Spaniards Carlos Buhler and Joan Solé Rovirosa recently climbed a new line on the East Face of Cerro Castillo in Chilean Patagonia
. Until their ascent, which began on October 6th, the mountain only sported two other routes. To read more,
click here.
--Stéphane Benoist and Patrice Glairon-Rappaz, a pair of strong French climbers, recently climbed a new route on the south face of Nuptse (25,800'). The team pioneered the line alpine style. Unfortunately they were forced to descend due to the severe threat of frostbite and hypothermia at 25,262'. To read more,
click here.
--Fabrizio Zangrilli, a Boulder based mountain guide, recently led a rescue on Pumori, a peak near Mount Everest in the Himalaya. Corrine Favre, a French athlete who specializes in high-altitude skiing and running, was hit by a massive block of ice at about 6,000 meters. Zangrilli took charge of the 24-hour rescue effort, rappelling and carrying Favre to the base where a doctor was able to initiate emergency medical treatment and a helicopter was called for immediate evacuation. To read more,
click here.
--Alpinist magazine is for sale. It appears that the owners and editors of the magazine have decided that the only way to reopen their doors is under new ownership. Interested parties may check it out
here.
--The
New York Times editorial page reports that the recent election was indicative of America's wish to preserve open spaces. Voters approved $7.3 billion in new spending for parks and open-space preservation. Sixty-two of the 87 referendums to acquire or otherwise protect open space were approved. It appears that the support came in both rural, Republican areas, as well as in those areas that lean toward the Democrats. To read more,
click here.
--Recent test results indicate that a wildlife biologist in
Grand Canyon National Park died of plague after handling a dead animal. The death of 37-year-old Eric York last week triggered a health scare that led to about 30 people being given antibiotics as a precaution. An official who has been briefed on the test results confirmed Friday that they were positive for
plague. To read more,
click here.
--Those who have spent time in the Red River Gorge over the last few years are certainly aware of Liz and Rick Webber, the generous owners of Muir Valley. The Webbers have long provided the climbing community with unfettered access to the largest concentration of moderate climbing in the gorge. The Webbers may soon lose their property as a restructuring of a nearby highway has resulted in plans that may force them to turn over Muir Valley to the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet through the imminent domain law. To read more and to find out what you can do to help, please
click here.
Lance Hering
--Twenty-three year-old marine Lance Hering was recently arrested after disappearing two years ago. At the time it was reported that Hering fell and suffered an injury to his head in a rock-climbing accident at Eldorado Canyon State Park in Colorado. After the incident was reported by a friend, Steve Powers, it appeared that Hering had wandered away. The report prompted a five-day search that involved roughly 600 volunteers from 40 different agencies. It was the largest search effort ever in Boulder County, encompassing the canyon area southwest of Boulder. After police repeatedly questioned the man, Powers admitted to lying. He pleaded guilty to false reporting last year. He said he was just helping a friend because he didn't want Hering to get killed in Iraq. To read more,
click here.
Randy and Nick Solakian, along with photographer, Phil Starr, hiking around the Perito Moreno glacier.
Enjoying great Argentine food and music at a open air restaurant in El Calafate. Photo by Phil Starr.
Bust depot in El Calafate moments before departing for El Chalten. Photo by Phil Starr.
