As Frogs Disappear Worldwide, ‘There Is No Way to Stop That Killer’ NYTimes Mysterious deaths have occurred all over the planet and followed a similar pattern. Why have so many species vanished? https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/12/opinion/frogs-amphibians-endangered-extinction.html ------------- Chytrid fungus is already in the Sierra: https://www.nps.gov/yose/learn/nature/sby KenS - General Discussion
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fxJ-zAgJzt4 In the comment section, the general advice is to play dead for grizzlies but fight back for black bears.by KenS - General Discussion
Off-duty US air force officer saves fallen climber on Yosemite’s Half Dome An off-duty US air force flight instructor braved strong winds, hail and slippery conditions to rescue a fellow climber who had fallen about 80ft (24.4 meters) down a slippery slope at Yosemite national park this past Labor Day weekend, according to the military branch. Haveman watched as the climber plummeted abouby KenS - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
They must not have read the thunderstorm warning on the plaque at the bottom of the cables: https://www.yosemitehikes.com/yosemite-valley/half-dome/lightning-plaque.htm An article from October 8, 2011 about neophyte hikers pushing their luck on Half Dome: https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna44828234 Those guys were lucky; another article with worst case outcomes: https://dirtbagdispatches.cby KenS - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Harrowing Half Dome hike: Hikers seek shelter in cave, survive lightning strikes during storm Two people were struck by lightning -- one in the leg and the other in the back of the head By NBC Bay Area staff 26 SEPTEMBER 2023 A group of friends were forced to take shelter in a cave during a storm at the top of Yosemite’s most notorious hike — Half Dome. Two of them were even struck bby KenS - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Yosemite has its own library. You're not allowed to borrow books from it. By Eric BrooksAug 31, 2023 The Yosemite Valley branch of the Mariposa County Library is hidden off a side road in the park and houses over 3,000 books. The Yosemite Valley location is actually one of two Mariposa County branch locations in the park. The second is in Wawona, not far from the iconic Mariposa Grove ofby KenS - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
A Sci-Fi Writer Returns to Earth: ‘The Real Story Is the One Facing Us’ Kim Stanley Robinson, one of the most acclaimed living science fiction writers, is done with deep space narratives. His focus now is on solving real problems — like climate change. By Alexandra Alter New York Times Published May 11, 2022Updated June 22, 2023 ... “Novels are really about what happens when thiby KenS - General Discussion
How Clever Tech Can Keep You Safe Outdoors These apps and devices allow you to find your way, triage an injury and generally stay out of trouble on the trail. By Hannah Singleton July 27, 2023 Ten years ago, it wasn’t hard to get lost on a hike: read the map wrong and you could wander too far into the woods or down the wrong trail. But over the last few years, digital tools like trackerby KenS - General Discussion
See reckless tourist clamber over safety rail at the top of Yosemite Falls Cat Ellis Wed, August 2, 2023 at 2:04 AM PDT A man has been filmed climbing over a safety barrier at Upper Yosemite Falls to get a better view. https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/see-reckless-tourist-clamber-over-090445371.htmlby KenS - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
'He’s stubborn as a mule': 93-year-old summits Yosemite's Half Dome Tessa McLean, SFGATE July 22, 2023 When Everett Kalin was 91 years old, he decided to try skydiving. This year, Kalin, now 93, thought he’d climb Half Dome in Yosemite. Kalin wouldn’t call himself an extreme outdoorsman or thrill-seeker. “When you hit your 90s, you think, ‘What would be some things I’d likeby KenS - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Yosemite’s Mist Trail will face closures into autumn, park service says Timothy Karoff, SFGATE July 11, 2023 Portions of Yosemite’s popular Mist Trail will be intermittently closed for trail work starting this week, according to the National Park Service website. A stretch of the trail between the John Muir trail junction and the top of Vernal Fall will be inaccessible Mondays through Thby KenS - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Yosemite's Iconic Tioga Road Remains Closed, and It's Still Not Clear When It Might Open Update, Monday, July 10, 2023 -- KQED SF ... part of the delay in lifting travel restrictions in the area is the need to assess and repair roadside restrooms, staff housing and other facilities damaged during the winter. “There’s a fair number of buildings up there,” Lyon said. “Almost all of tby KenS - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
'Far as the eye can see': Fields of 'suncups' are covering the Sierra Amy Graff, SFGATE June 29, 2023 California conservationist Beth Pratt was hiking in Yosemite National Park on June 25 when she came across miles upon miles of suncups. “I’ve been hiking in the Sierra for 33 years,” said Pratt, regional executive director of the National Wildlife Federation’s California Regionaby KenS - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
National Parks Close Roads and Campgrounds and Delay Summer Openings Graham Averill Thu, May 18, 2023 at 5:00 AM PDT This article originally appeared on Outside We'll be talking about the winter of 2022-23 for years. Epic snowfall blanketed much of the western U.S., creating the best ski season in memory. So far that snowpack is delivering one of the best spring rafting seasons in decadesby KenS - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Bummer of a summer? Widespread Sierra closures dampen our enjoyment of public lands | Opinion Marek Warszawski Sun, May 14, 2023 at 5:30 AM PDT One of the best parts about living in the central San Joaquin Valley is our easy access to so many great Sierra mountain destinations. Which typically begin to open up in May and early June. This year, proximity isn’t going to be much help. Lastby KenS - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
https://www.instagram.com/p/CrwDBOtqit-/by KenS - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Celebration and Concern: Hetch Hetchy Reservoir Turns 100, But Climate Change Complicates its Future Ezra David Romero May 2, 2023 https://www.kqed.org/science/1982551/celebration-and-concern-hetch-hetchy-reservoir-turns-100-but-climate-change-complicates-its-futureby KenS - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Will Yosemite Valley flood? While visiting Yosemite Valley with high water is an amazing experience, Yosemite Valley closes once the Merced River at Pohono Bridge is forecast to exceed 10 feet. At flood stage (10 feet), roads and other critical infrastructure begin flooding, making it unsafe for visitors to be in Yosemite Valley. It is very likely that the Merced River will reach flood stage offby KenS - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
The untold story of the worst flood in Yosemite National Park's history Ashley Harrell, SFGATE April 22, 2023 https://www.sfgate.com/california-parks/article/worst-flood-in-yosemite-national-park-history-17911179.phpby KenS - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Outdated Wilderness Ranger Reports: 1983-2015 Ranger Reports Sorted by Station https://highsierrahikers.org/ranger_reports_by_station.htmlby KenS - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
REI to close only Portland store, citing break-ins, theft Published: Apr. 17, 2023, 11:40 a.m. The outdoor retail giant REI announced Monday that it plans to close its store in Portland’s Pearl District early next year, citing an increase in crime and theft. In an email to customers Monday, REI said its store in Portland “had its highest number of break-ins and thefts in two decades, dby KenS - General Discussion
Why the Pacific Crest Trail will be more dangerous than ever this year SFGate article Eric Brooks March 27, 2023 … . But this year, experts warn, hikers face one of the greatest risks in the trail’s history: the record-setting Sierra Nevada snowpack. "These large snowpacks can be susceptible to fast melt if the weather conditions are right," Andrew Schwartz, lead scientist atby KenS - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Obsidian Cliff: Humanity’s Tool Shed for the Last 11,500 Years X-ray technology has allowed researchers a glimpse at the reaches of the Yellowstone landmark’s prized stone and its importance to Indigenous people. By Jim Robbins NY Times March 20, 2023 For modern day researchers, the obsidian columns of Yellowstone have helped to reveal the travels and migration of people thousands of yby KenS - General Discussion
California's Route 395 remains closed after being buried by avalanches Sam Mauhay-Moore SFGATE March 18, 2023 In late February, a series of avalanches buried a half a mile of U.S. Route 395 on the eastern side of California's Sierra Nevada under 30 to 40 feet of snow and debris. Three weeks and another atmospheric river later, a portion of the highway near Mono Lake is still closed, with noby KenS - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
https://cdec.water.ca.gov/reportapp/javareports?name=PLOT_SWCby KenS - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
A Blanket of Snow for California The Atlantic ALAN TAYLOR MARCH 2, 2023 20 PHOTOS IN FOCUS A string of powerful winter storms rolled across California over the past week, bringing snowfall to lower elevations than the area has seen in decades, and boosting the state’s snowpack—which now stands at 189 percent of its average for this time of year. Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state ofby KenS - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
A Hiker Started a Wildfire Trying to Signal for Help. Now He Owes the Government $300,000. Philip Powers argued that the wildfire he set in 2018 was necessary to save his life. But a court found that he was so unprepared, he created his own emergency. https://www.backpacker.com/news-and-events/news/a-hiker-started-a-wildfire-trying-to-signal-for-help-now-he-owes-the-government-300000/by KenS - General Discussion
More about Yosemite Park closure on SFGate website: https://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/yosemite-national-park-closed-severe-weather-17805777.php Looks like Lee Vining is already socked in: https://murpheysyosemite.com/live-webcamby KenS - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Firefall article -- LA Times https://www.latimes.com/lifestyle/story/2022-02-18/how-to-see-and-photograph-yosemites-annual-firefallby KenS - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Living the dream’: Yosemite’s winter rangers spend months in a cramped cabin Eric Brooks Jan. 26, 2023 On the surface, Laura and Rob Pilewski seem like a typical married couple. They’re avid skiers. They enjoy nature and a good meal together. They try to spend time with friends and family when schedules allow. The two, married since 1996, also appreciate time apart, because as Lauby KenS - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion