Saturday, September 30, 2017
Friday, September 29, 2017
Rare Rock Fall Fatality At Yosemite's El Capitan
News Link
According to the NPS, there are an average of 80 rockfall events per year on El Capitan. Although there have been plenty of climbing incidents on El Capitan over the years, there have only been 5 previous climber incidents I can find reported since 1974 that were caused by rockfall. Can't find any good information on the number of climbers over that time frame but would roughly estimate an average of 10,000 per year (Devil's Tower in Wyoming has 5,000 per year in a much shorter climb and season duration). So that would work out to 6 incidents for 430,000 climbers or a 1 in 70,000 chance. The only area comparable to Yosemite in Colorado is Eldorado Canyon near Boulder which has a higher rate of incidents.
According to the NPS, there are an average of 80 rockfall events per year on El Capitan. Although there have been plenty of climbing incidents on El Capitan over the years, there have only been 5 previous climber incidents I can find reported since 1974 that were caused by rockfall. Can't find any good information on the number of climbers over that time frame but would roughly estimate an average of 10,000 per year (Devil's Tower in Wyoming has 5,000 per year in a much shorter climb and season duration). So that would work out to 6 incidents for 430,000 climbers or a 1 in 70,000 chance. The only area comparable to Yosemite in Colorado is Eldorado Canyon near Boulder which has a higher rate of incidents.
Tuesday, September 26, 2017
Suspect That Chases Mountain Bikers With a Hatchet Near Monument Is Arrested
News Link
A 31-year-old driving a car with expired Indiana license plates. Just speculation on my part but it appears that the suspect may have been homeless and either sleeping in his car or camping illegally. That would explain his irritation with mountain bikers that might reveal his presence to authorties. He has not been charged with the gunshot murder but was charged with an "unrelated" weapons charge.
A 31-year-old driving a car with expired Indiana license plates. Just speculation on my part but it appears that the suspect may have been homeless and either sleeping in his car or camping illegally. That would explain his irritation with mountain bikers that might reveal his presence to authorties. He has not been charged with the gunshot murder but was charged with an "unrelated" weapons charge.
Rockslide on Hwy 24 Near Manitou Springs
News Link
It doesn't take much rainfall to trigger slides in this chronically active area.
It doesn't take much rainfall to trigger slides in this chronically active area.
Record Precip in Denver for Sep 23
News Link
0.83" broke the record set on Sep 23 '13 during the storm that caused catastrophic flooding north of Denver in the Boulder - Lyons area.
0.83" broke the record set on Sep 23 '13 during the storm that caused catastrophic flooding north of Denver in the Boulder - Lyons area.
Sunday, September 24, 2017
Saturday, September 23, 2017
Man Threatens Mountain Bikers With Axe Near Monument
News Link
The same location that a mountain biker was murdered by gun fire this week. Police think these 2 attacks are unrelated. Looks like there is a cancerous anti-bike culture living in the Monument area.
The same location that a mountain biker was murdered by gun fire this week. Police think these 2 attacks are unrelated. Looks like there is a cancerous anti-bike culture living in the Monument area.
Friday, September 22, 2017
Thursday, September 21, 2017
Wednesday, September 20, 2017
Mountain Biker Gunned Down Near Monument
News Link
I have often wondered if some crazy shooting his guns near trails that I ride would take aim - now I know.
I have often wondered if some crazy shooting his guns near trails that I ride would take aim - now I know.
Tuesday, September 19, 2017
Monday, September 18, 2017
Littleton Man Almost Gored by Elk in Rocky Mountain National Park
News Link
Tourists are ignoring the Park orders to steer clear of the elk.
Tourists are ignoring the Park orders to steer clear of the elk.
Sunday, September 17, 2017
Op Ed: With 11 Fatalities on 14ers This Year "It's time to do something"
News Link
There is a good photo of the "knife edge" approach to Capitol Peak. Capitol Peak is on the right, the knife edge is in the lower part of the saddle to the right of Capitol. Approximatley 300 feet long, the knife edge narrows to less than 6 inches in width with steep dropoffs of several thousand feet on both sides. 6 of the fatalities this year have been on or near the knife edge.
There is a good photo of the "knife edge" approach to Capitol Peak. Capitol Peak is on the right, the knife edge is in the lower part of the saddle to the right of Capitol. Approximatley 300 feet long, the knife edge narrows to less than 6 inches in width with steep dropoffs of several thousand feet on both sides. 6 of the fatalities this year have been on or near the knife edge.
Saturday, September 16, 2017
Rocky Mountain National Park Begins Closures for Elk Protection
News Link
Apparently the Park Service learned a lesson from the incident a few years back when a tourist tried to take a selfie with a bull elk and the elk picked the tourist up in its antlers and hurled him about 50 feet through the air with a susbequent trip to the hospital.
Apparently the Park Service learned a lesson from the incident a few years back when a tourist tried to take a selfie with a bull elk and the elk picked the tourist up in its antlers and hurled him about 50 feet through the air with a susbequent trip to the hospital.
Video of Mama Bear and 2 Cubs in Tree, Downtown Aspen
Video
What's interesting about this video is the Mama bear just leads hers 2 cubs right by people standing on the sidewalk. So do bears understand when they are in human environments and when they are in natural environments and behave differently? In their natural habitat, Mama bears often attack hikers, the theory being to protect her cubs.
What's interesting about this video is the Mama bear just leads hers 2 cubs right by people standing on the sidewalk. So do bears understand when they are in human environments and when they are in natural environments and behave differently? In their natural habitat, Mama bears often attack hikers, the theory being to protect her cubs.
Pre-Evacuation Notices Issued for Brush Fire in Highlands Ranch
News Link
An unusual number of brush fires in Highlands Ranch this year - arson?
An unusual number of brush fires in Highlands Ranch this year - arson?
Friday, September 15, 2017
2 Women Hospitalized After Elk Attack in Estes Park
News Link
A herd of bull elk were in downtown Estes Park as they are every fall. Every year hordes of tourists surround the elk which makes the elk feel threatened. This particular elk was tagged previously for aggressive behavior and was put down.
A herd of bull elk were in downtown Estes Park as they are every fall. Every year hordes of tourists surround the elk which makes the elk feel threatened. This particular elk was tagged previously for aggressive behavior and was put down.
Rockslide on Hwy 82 South of Glenwood Springs
News Link
This area has rockslides every year with rotten shale similar to that on Maroon Bells.
This area has rockslides every year with rotten shale similar to that on Maroon Bells.
Thursday, September 14, 2017
Wednesday, September 13, 2017
Durango Climber That Fell 100' Off Technical Route Near Lemon Reservoir Rescued
News Link
An expert climber, 30-year-old suffers lots of broken bones but is expected to survive.
An expert climber, 30-year-old suffers lots of broken bones but is expected to survive.
Tuesday, September 12, 2017
7th X-Class Solar Flare in 7 Days Hits Southern Hemisphere
News Link
"Scientists are perplexed at the high level of activity as the sun approaches its regular 11 year cycle low." The sunspot cycle varies from 7 to 13 years so it could be it already reached its minimum and is on the way back up.
"Scientists are perplexed at the high level of activity as the sun approaches its regular 11 year cycle low." The sunspot cycle varies from 7 to 13 years so it could be it already reached its minimum and is on the way back up.
Monday, September 11, 2017
Saturday, September 9, 2017
Hungry Bears Coming Into Aspen
News Link
It's that time of year when bears are trying to pack on the calories before hibernation.
It's that time of year when bears are trying to pack on the calories before hibernation.
Popular Ute Trail On Aspen Mountain Still Closed After Rockslide
News Link
Article makes dubious claim that rockslide was caused by lightning strike.
Article makes dubious claim that rockslide was caused by lightning strike.
Friday, September 8, 2017
Thursday, September 7, 2017
Wednesday, September 6, 2017
Tuesday, September 5, 2017
Hiker Dies of Heat Stroke in Comanche National Grasslands Canyon
News Link
The 2nd hiker to die from extreme heat this summer in Picketwire Canyon.
The 2nd hiker to die from extreme heat this summer in Picketwire Canyon.
Bear Activity Increasing in Canon City
News Link
The bears are definitely coming down to lower elevations all along the Front Range.
The bears are definitely coming down to lower elevations all along the Front Range.
Monday, September 4, 2017
Sunday, September 3, 2017
Mountain Lion Spotted in North Boulder Business Park
News Link
Looks like a yearling trying to figure out where to establish its territory. Parks and Wildlife will probably have to relocate it.
Looks like a yearling trying to figure out where to establish its territory. Parks and Wildlife will probably have to relocate it.
Saturday, September 2, 2017
Rangers to Limit Campers at Conundrum Hot Springs
News Link
Way to many visitors for a wilderness area.
Way to many visitors for a wilderness area.
Colorado's 10 Most Popular 14ers
News Link
More climbing accidents because more people attempt 14ers every year.
More climbing accidents because more people attempt 14ers every year.
Mama Bear and 2 Cubs Euthanized After Charging Hikers in Apex Park
News Link
Parks and Wildlife is completely off-base on this one. The bears were in their natural habitat and the mother's instinct to protect her cubs is normal. The right way to handle this situation is to close the trail to the public until the bears move on.
Parks and Wildlife is completely off-base on this one. The bears were in their natural habitat and the mother's instinct to protect her cubs is normal. The right way to handle this situation is to close the trail to the public until the bears move on.
Story of 21-Year-Old, Latest Victim on Capitol Peak
News Link
His first 14er attempt, he climbed in skateboard shoes. His friend tried to talk him out of free climbing the cliff face that he fell from. Unfortunately there is no way to prevent the "invincibility syndrome" of young males.
His first 14er attempt, he climbed in skateboard shoes. His friend tried to talk him out of free climbing the cliff face that he fell from. Unfortunately there is no way to prevent the "invincibility syndrome" of young males.
Friday, September 1, 2017
Vail Mountain Rescue Have Completed 92 Missions So Far This Year
News Link
An all volunteer group that doesn't charge. The main thing I got out of this article is that most of the rescues they have performed are not reported in the news.
An all volunteer group that doesn't charge. The main thing I got out of this article is that most of the rescues they have performed are not reported in the news.
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