Featured Image: Aaron Dodds
“News Flash” is FREESKIER’s online column designed to keep you up-to-date with snippets of outdoor news you need to know about. This article is published weekly on Wednesdays and updated throughout the week.
The mountain community mourns the death of Hilaree Nelson
Hilaree Nelson is regarded as one of the best ski mountaineers in history, with accolades like the first ski descent of the Lhotse Couloir in 2018. The entire mountain community across the globe is mourning her loss since news first broke on September 28 that she went missing just below the summit of 26,000 foot Mount Manaslu. She is survived by her partner, Jim Morrison, her two sons, and the many outdoor explorers who had the fortune of being in her sphere.
Yvon Chouinard Donates Patagonia to Fight Climate Crisis
Founder and owner of the outdoor retail empire has decided not to leave Patagonia’s legacy in the hands of anyone but Mother Earth. Instead of privately selling or going public with the brand, Chouinard and his family have made the selfless decision to donate the billion-dollar company to help fight the climate crisis. 100-percent of the company’s voting stock transfers to the Patagonia Purpose Trust, created to protect the company’s values; and 100-percent of the nonvoting stock has been given to the Holdfast Collective, a nonprofit dedicated to fighting the environmental crisis and defending nature.
Yeti Coolers are Washing up On Alaskan Shores
A cargo ship spilled over one hundred shipping containers near Washington’s Olympic Peninsula and now Alaskans are reaping the benefits. Of those 109 shipping containers, only four have been recovered but YETI coolers and other high-value outdoor goods are washing up on the Alaskan gulf shore and the locals aren’t actually that mad about it. Stay tuned to see what else comes out of the ocean from this peculiar fiasco.
BCA Presents: [EDGE]ucation
Co-founder of Backcountry Access, Bruce “Edge” Edgerly has over 40 years of experience recreating in the backcountry and now he’s ready to [edge]ucate the rest of us. All season, Edge will be dropping useful backcountry knowledge for all of us, whether we’re total newbs or seasoned veterans, to use for safe and fun backcountry excursions.
MountainFLOW Launches Recycled Ski Poles
To build on their award-winning line of eco-friendly waxes, MountainFLOW introduced recycled ski poles made out of recycled aluminum, which reduces carbon emissions by 90 percent. Three versions of the pole are available for $60, $80 and $120 and the brand is developing a program to recycle old and broken poles to be recycled into new poles.
Chris Benchetler and Kimmy Fasani Launch the Benchetler Fasani Foundation
Chris Benchetler and Kimi Fasani launch the Benchetler Fasani Foundation to provide meaningful connection to the outdoors for those who have suffered loss or hardship, by experiencing the healing properties found in nature. As part of the foundation, scholarships are available for those who are in need of healing outdoor experiences.
Freeride World Tour Drops 2023 Calendar
The 16th year of the iconic big mountain competition circuit is set for 2023 with things kicking off in no other place than Kicking Horse, BC Canada January 13-18; Baqueira Beret, Spain January 28-February 2; Ordino Arcalís, Andorra February 4-9. Athletes will be cut after stop three to set up the FWT Finals. Athletes can qualify using results from two out of the first three events. The first finals event heads to Fieberbrunn, Austria March 11-17 and the grand finale returns to the Bec des Rosses at Verbier, Switzerland March 25 – April 2.
Suunto Introduces New 9 Peak Pro
Suunto’s new 9 Peak Pro is a GPS multisport watch handcrafted with 100-percent renewable energy in Finland and its the first watch within the brand’s lineup to have its carbon footprint calculated and then fully compensated with Verified Carbon Units. What’s even better? The interface is faster and easier to use with the best-in-class battery life.
WinterWonderGrass Tahoe Lineup Announced
The eclectic bluegrass mountain music festival, WinterWonderGrass, returns to Tahoe March 31-April 2 with a free show kicking off the weekend on Thursday night in the village of Palisades Tahoe. The lineup for the weekend includes 25 bands across four stages with veteran bands Trampled by Turtles and Greensky Bluegrass, plus newcomers Marcus King, The Main Squeeze, and The Lone Bellow. The weekend rounds out with Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway, Mapache, Neal Francis, Tray Wellington Band, Big Richard, AJ Lee & Blue Summit, Lindsay Lou, Pixie and the Partygrass Boys, Cris Jacobs Band, the Brothers Comatose, Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country, Pickin’ on the Dead and others.
Michelle Parker Launches New Podcast within the Out of Collective
Michelle Parker is known for crushing huge Alaskan lines but this new podcast venture with the Out of Collective may just be her most daring adventure yet. Sit down with Michelle and Shannon Corsi in the debut episode of ‘Care Less, Do More.’
‘The Approach II’ Trailer Kicks Off Film Tour
The Approach crew is back together with another unique and inspiring ski film. The world premiere of the film took place on October 7 in Salt Lake City and the full film will premiere following the tour. To find a screening near you and purchase tickets, click here.
‘Free Rider’ Trailer
Starring Victor de Le Rue & Sam Anthamatten, ‘Free Rider’ follows two prolific big-mountain skiers doing as expected: skiing really large mountain faces with absolute finesse and style.
