BC Banter: Independence Pass Reopens, MSR Recalls Avy Shovels, Mt. Moran Avalanche Claims Two and Alpinist Releases 50th Issue

Independence Pass Reopens

ASPEN, COLO. The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) reopened Independence Pass yesterday at noon, as 20 cars waited at the gate for the opening. The Pass, which runs along the Continental Divide and connects Buena Vista and Aspen, is closed every winter and must be bombed in late spring to bring down slides before plowing and reopening the road. This year, a skier also triggered an avalanche, although unintentionally, shortly after Independence Pass was opened on Thursday, according to Aspen Daily News. The slide occurred on the northeast face go Snow Fence Peak at roughly 12,000 ft. Although Independence Pass is ready for traffic, many of Colorado’s high-elevation passes, including Trail Ridge Road and the Mount Evans Highway remain closed due to recent snowfall. 

MSR Recalls Avy Shovels

SEATTLE, WASH. As of May 12, Mountain Safety Research has recalled their Avalanche Rescue Snow Shovels because of a faulty lower lock button on the snow shovel shaft. The button can fail to secure the blade, causing the shaft and blade to separate and leaving the shovel useless for avy rescue. Customers who have purchased Mountain Safety Research’s Operator™ T, Operator™ D and Responder™ avalanche rescue snow shovels can return the shovels for a full refund or a replacement shaft. More information on the shovel recall can found here.

Mt. Moran Avalanche Claims Two

JACKSON, WYO. Stephen Adamson Jr., 42, passed away Tuesday, May 19 at the Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center in Idaho Falls after sustaining injuries from Sunday’s Mt. Moran avalanche. Adamson, Jackson resident Luke Lynch, Exum Mountain Guide Zahan Billimoria and local teacher Brooks Yeoman were ascending Sickle Couloir when a shallow sluff broke loose above the party, sweeping Adamson, Yeoman and Lynch roughly 500 feet over rock and ice. Lynch, 39, died at the scene.

Adamson, an attorney at the Jackson Hole-based law firm Gonnella Adamson, served on the board of the Center for the Arts and was a trustee of the National Museum of Wildlife Art, both in Jackson. He is survived by his wife, Sara, and their two children. Lynch is survived by his wife, Kathy, and their three young sons. To raise money for some of Lynch’s favorite causes, visit the Luke Lynch Memorial Fund. More information about the avalanche can be found here.

Backcountry’s Sister Publication, Alpinist, Releases 50th Issue

JEFFERSONVILLE, VT.  Alpinist’s 50th issue, the Golden Issue, is currently making its way to subscribers and should hit newsstands early next week. Alpinist is an archive-worthy, quarterly publication that covers alpinism and adventure climbing, and has thrived thanks to the writers, photographers, illustrators and designers who regularly contribute, as well as the tireless writing, editing and curating by Editor-in-Chief Katie Ives. Jeremy Collins designed two covers for the Golden Issue, one of Kitty Calhoun and one of Barry Blanchard. Collins’ artwork has appeared in every Alpinist issue to date. Subscribe to Alpinist here.