Northwest:

--The Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest is asking the public to review and comment on a plan to learn how to best restore old growth and riparian forest characteristics in the Finney Adaptive Management Area. The area is located southeast of Darrington in the Skagit and Stillaguamish watersheds. The Northwest Forest Plan selected the Finney as one of 10 areas in Washington, Oregon and California to pursue experimental forestry. "This project will determine up to five topics for research to evaluate alternative approaches to create old growth and riparian forest conditions in younger stands," said Don Gay, wildlife biologist and project lead. To read more, click here.

--The Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest needs volunteers to teach visitors about the natural and historic beauty of the Monte Cristo area this summer. Stewards assist in taking care of cabins, camp areas, information boards, registration boxes and trails. Training is June 5, 8:30am - Noon at the Verlot Public Service Center. Contact Matt Riggen at Darrington Ranger District at 360.436.2333 or email mriggen@fs.fed.us

Desert Southwest:

--Free soloist Alex Honnold completed an amazing feat in Red Rock Canyon recently. In late April, he free-soloed the Rainbow Wall (V, 5.12b), then walked back down to the parking lot. He then went to Black Velvet Canyon and free-soloed Prince of Darkness (IV, 5.10c). And while these two things are amazing, the part of the day that has caused the climbing world's collective jaws to drop was the way that Honnold descended. He downclimbed Dream of Wild Turkeys (IV, 5.10a)! To read more, click here and here.


Alaska:

--Our first Denali expedition of the season has reached the summit! After battling strong winds at high camp, a weather window opened up and most of the team was able to make their way towards to summit. If you would like to read the summit day dispatch, along with other dispatches from our expeditions, click here.

--"A French mountaineer fell to his death while climbing Mt. McKinley on
Sunday, May 16. Pascal Frison, age 51, and his partner were approaching a
feature at the top of Motorcycle Hill known as ‘Lunch Rocks” near 12,000
feet on the West Buttress when Frison lost control of his sled. In an
attempt to stop it from sliding over the ridge, both the climber and his
sled tumbled towards the Peters Glacier. Frison, who was unroped at the
time, was unable to self-arrest and ultimately fell over 1,000 feet to a
steep, crevassed section of the Peters Glacier." - from NPS. To read more, click here.


Himalaya:

--A team lead by Cory Richards and Conrad Anchor are installing five time-lapse cameras around the Khumbu Ice Fall. These cameras will help document the glacial recession on the world's highest mountain. To read more, click here.

--On May 17th, Edurne Pasaban became the second woman to climb all 14, 8,000 meter peaks with her successful ascent of Shishapangma in Nepal. The Spaniard's accomplishment comes right at the coat tails of Korean Oh Eun-Sun's disputed achievement of the same goal. Regardless, Edurne's fifth attempt of Shishapangma yeilded postive results, and she has achieved her goal. To read more, click here.

--13 year old Jordan Romero is somewhere at or above Everest Base Camp, attempting to become the youngest person to summit the mountain. His quest to become the youngest person to climb all seven summits brings him to Everest as his fifth summit. Romero is attempting to summit from the Tibetan side, seeing as the the Tibetan government has no age minimum on climbing Everest. His age has sparked debate in the climbing world regarding the seemingly common issue of, "how young is too young?" To read about this Everest trip, click here, or to read more about his journey as a whole, click here.

Notes from All Over:


--The Colorado Daily published a great article last week on dating tips for single outdoorsy people. Some of the tips like, "sweat is sexy outside or at the gym, but not for drinks," are tips that we all would do well to remember, To read the article, click here.

--Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that he has taken action on fourteen projects in roadless areas of National Forests. All projects approved today would be allowed under the 2001 Roadless Rule, if it were in effect. "USDA is committed to protecting roadless areas in our National Forests because of the critical importance of these areas to our natural resources, wildlife, and outdoor recreation," said Vilsack. "While the decisions announced today allow for mineral exploration in roadless areas, not only does USDA have limited authority to approve or disapprove these activities, but these actions are consistent with the 2001 Roadless Rule." To read more, click here.

--The details of the Black Diamond Equipment and Gregory Mountain Products are beginning to unfold. So far, they are calling it the birth of Black Diamond 2.0. Peter Metcalf, Black Diamond's CEO, has this to say,

"What is not changing? Our commitment to our mission vision and values, and our efforts to help write the stories of the sports and the communities which inspire us. This shared passion is the universal Esperanto that connects us with fellow climbers & skiers no matter where we are."

To read the full press release, click here.