Some Angeles National Forest trails closed by Station fire to reopen

 

The Angeles National Forest announced Thursday that it will reopen about 98,000 acres of forest that has been closed since the 2009 Station fire. As I reported in Outposts on April 1, forest officials have been doing public outreach and relying a lot on volunteers to clear out invasive species as part of the forest restoration. Shown above is a hillside in the San Gabriel Mountains that burned in the fire and was adorned with wildflowers in spring 2010 -- proof that this fire-adapted ecosystem can rebound.

Areas that will reopen include Charlton Flat Picnic Area, Gould Mesa Campground, Bear Canyon Trail, Paul Little Picnic Area, Mill Creek Summit Picnic Area, Silver Moccasin Trail, Sunset Ridge Trail, Indian Canyon Trailhead, Canteen Trail and the entire San Gabriel Wilderness area. Forest officials say more than 100 miles of hiking trails are being reopened.

In addition, the U.S. Forest Service announced that the portion of the Pacific Crest Trail that runs through the forest will reopen, with some minor reroutes. This is good news for PCT thru-hikers, who had a roughly 40-mile detour last summer.

Hikers should also be thrilled that the Angeles National Forest has finally posted a high-resolution zoomable map showing the closure area (frame grab image at right). A word of warning: Downloading the map can be excruciatingly slow; I found it quicker to just use the online zoom feature.

Check the Angeles National Forest website for the latest Station fire restoration updates.

-- Julie Sheer

Photo credit: Julie Sheer. Map credit: Angeles National Forest

Skateboarding legend Tony Hawk files for divorce

Legendary skateboarder Tony Hawk has filed for divorce from his third wife, Lhotse Merriam. People.com reports that Hawk, 42, filed the documents Friday in northern San Diego County. The two have been married since 2005 and have one child together.

"We have made the difficult decision to file for divorce," the couple said in a joint statement released Monday.

"We remain deeply committed and loving parents to our daughter, and out of respect for that responsibility we ask that people honor our family's privacy during this important time of transition," the statement said. "Thank you for your understanding."

-- Kelly Burgess
twitter.com/latimesoutposts

Photo: Tony Hawk and Lhotse Merriam, in 2005 at Merriam's shop in Encinitas. Credit: Don Bartletti / Los Angeles Times

Missing Alpine Meadows snowboarder found dead

The search for a 25-year-old snowboarder missing since Tuesday afternoon near Alpine Meadows Ski Resort in the Lake Tahoe area came to an end Thursday when her body was discovered in a tree well.

The Sacramento Bee reported that rescue helicopter crews spotted the body of Shawnte Marie Willis of Tahoma, Calif., Thursday morning on a part of the mountain that previously had been off-limits to rescue crews because of inclement weather.

"The news is tragic," Placer County sheriff's Lt. Jeff Ausnow said in a news conference, adding that authorities believe Willis might have hit a tree while snowboarding.

Ausnow described the U.S. Forest Service land where Willis was found as "treacherous" and said 80- to 100-mph winds had been blowing there. "The weather would not allow us to get there," he said.

Search and rescue efforts were hampered by high winds and low visibility that prevented the use of air- and ground-search vehicles, and ground search crews were called off Wednesday because of the threat of avalanches. Blowing snow had also covered any tracks.

-- Kelly Burgess
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Snowboarder dies after hitting trees at Mountain High Resort

A 24-year-old snowboarder has died after crashing into a stand of trees at Mountain High Resort in Wrightwood, Calif.

KTLA reports that the accident was reported around 6 p.m. Monday, and that it's not known what caused the snowboarder to go into the trees.

The unidentified Fullerton man was transported to Community Hospital of San Bernardino, where he was pronounced dead about an hour later.

-- Kelly Burgess

twitter.com/latimesoutposts

Ski lift derailment at Maine resort leaves several injured

At least six people were injured Tuesday after a chair lift derailed at Maine's Sugarloaf Mountain ski resort.

Sugarloaf spokesman Ethan Austin told Fox News that five chairs plunged 25 to 30 feet, and that the ski lift has been evacuated.

Emergency responders were on scene, and those injured have been transported to a hospital, according to the report.

Austin said that none of the injuries are considered life-threatening, and that most of the victims are reporting "lower back problems."

Though the incident is still under investigation, Austin suggested that high winds might have caused the derailment. "We're kind of known as a windy mountain," he said.

-- Kelly Burgess
twitter.com/latimesoutposts

Photo: A snowboarder makes his way down Sugarloaf Mountain alongside a ski lift in this file photo released by Sugarloaf USA. Credit:  Associated Press / Sugarloaf USA

EPA denies petition seeking ban on lead in fishing gear

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Thursday denied a petition calling for a ban on the manufacture, use and processing of lead in fishing gear.

The denial is in response to a petition filed Aug. 3 by several environmental groups, including the Center for Biological Diversity, the American Bird Conservancy and the Assn. of Avian Veterinarians, seeking to ban the use of lead in ammunition and fishing tackle.

In a letter to the petitioners, EPA assistant administrator Steve Owens states that the petitioners have not demonstrated that the requested rule is necessary to protect against an unreasonable risk of injury to health or the environment, as required by the Toxic Substance Control Act.

The letter goes on to state that the petition also does not provide sufficient justification for why a national ban of lead fishing sinkers and other lead fishing tackle is necessary given the actions being taken to address the concerns in the petition, noting that the prevalence of non-lead alternatives in the marketplace continues to increase.

Gordon Robertson, American Sportfishing Assn. vice president, said that the sportfishing community lauds the EPA’s decision. "It represents a solid review of the biological facts, as well as the economic and social impacts that would have resulted from such a sweeping federal action. It is a common-sense decision."

"The sportfishing industry is very proud of the fact that America’s anglers were united on this important issue and played a pivotal role in EPA’s decision to reject this unwarranted petition," Robertson continued.  "Aside from the many anglers that spoke up, many organizations and members of Congress deserve thanks for decisively voicing their opinion to EPA."

On Aug. 27, the EPA denied the portion of the petition relating to lead in ammunition because the agency does not have the legal authority to regulate this type of product under the Toxic Substance Control Act.

-- Kelly Burgess
twitter.com/latimesoutposts

Photo: A fisherman casts his line. Credit: Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times

Three-time world surfing champion Andy Irons, 32, dies [Updated]

 

Legendary surfer Andy Irons has died at the age of 32.

Pete Thomas Outdoors is reporting that the three-time world champion passed away during a layover en route from Puerto Rico to his home in Hawaii, according to the surfer's main sponsor, Billabong.

[Updated at 4:56 p.m.: The Irons family has released the following statement:

"The world of surfing mourns an incredibly sad loss today with the news that Hawaii's Andy Irons has died. Andy was a beloved husband, and a true champion.

"Irons, 32, withdrew from a professional surfing event in Puerto Rico last weekend due to illness, and passed away during a layover en-route to his home in Kauai, Hawaii. He had reportedly been battling with Dengue Fever, a viral disease.

"At this time the family thanks his friends and fans for their support, and asks that the community respect its privacy. The family also asks to not be contacted so their focus can remain on one another during this time of profound loss."]

Irons, who was raised on Kauai, became ill during the Rip Curl Pro Search Puerto Rico, the ninth of 10 events on the 2010 ASP World Tour. He was apparently suffering from symptoms similar to those associated with dengue fever.

Irons is survived by his wife, Lyndie, who is pregnant with their first child, as well as his younger brother, Bruce, who is a former World Tour competitor.

-- Kelly Burgess
twitter.com/latimesoutposts

EPA denies petition calling for lead ammunition ban

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Friday denied a petition calling for a ban on the production and distribution of lead hunting ammunition. EPA sent a letter to the petitioners explaining the rejection.

Steve Owens, EPA assistant administrator for the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention, issued the following statement on the agency’s decision:

EPA today denied a petition submitted by several outside groups for the agency to implement a ban on the production and distribution of lead hunting ammunition. EPA reached this decision because the agency does not have the legal authority to regulate this type of product under the Toxic Substances Control Act -- nor is the agency seeking such authority.

This petition, which was submitted to EPA at the beginning of this month, is one of hundreds of petitions submitted to EPA by outside groups each year. This petition was filed under TSCA, which requires the agency to review and respond within 90 days.

EPA is taking action on many fronts to address major sources of lead in our society, such as eliminating childhood exposures to lead; however, EPA was not and is not considering taking action on whether the lead content in hunting ammunition poses an undue threat to wildlife. 

As there are no similar jurisdictional issues relating to the agency's authority over fishing sinkers, EPA – as required by law – will continue formally reviewing a second part [of] the petition related to lead fishing sinkers.

Those wishing to comment specifically on the fishing tackle issue can do so by visiting http://www.regulations.gov. EPA will consider comments that are submitted by September 15.

The denial is in response to a petition filed Aug. 3 by several environmental groups, including the Center for Biological Diversity, the American Bird Conservancy and the Assn. of Avian Veterinarians, seeking to ban the use of lead in ammunition and fishing tackle. The petition claimed that traditional bullets used by hunters are inconsistent with the Toxic Substance Control Act and that such ammo poses a danger to wildlife, in particular raptors, that may feed on unrecovered game in the field.

-- Kelly Burgess
twitter.com/latimesoutposts

Photo: Handgun ammunition of various calibers. Credit: Judi Bottoni / Associated Press

Rescue effort underway for teenage sailor Abby Sunderland

My former colleague Pete Thomas is among the first to report on his blog that a rescue effort has been launched in hope of finding teenage sailor Abby Sunderland, who set off her emergency beacon locating devices from the southern Indian Ocean early Thursday morning.

Sunderland, 16, who has been attempting to sail around the world alone, endured multiple knockdowns in 60-knot winds before conditions briefly abated.

However, her parents lost satellite phone contact with her early Thursday morning and an hour later were notified by the coast guard at French-controlled Reunion Islands that both of Sunderland's EPIRB satellite devices on board her vessel Wild Eyes had been activated.

One of the devices is apparently attached to a survival suit and is meant to be used when a person is in the water or a life raft.

Abby's father said he didn't know if his daughter was in a life raft or aboard the boat, or whether the boat was upside down.

"Everything seemed to be under control," Laurence Sunderland, struggling with his emotions, told Thomas. "But then our call dropped and a hour later the coast guard called."

The Sunderlands are asking people to pray for their daughter, a high school junior from Thousand Oaks.

Outposts has been following Sunderland's journey, and will keep readers updated as more information is available.

-- Kelly Burgess

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Body of Mt. St. Helens climber who fell into crater is recovered

The body of a climber who fell into the crater at Mt. St. Helens in Washington state has been recovered, reports the Oregonian.

Rescuers were holding out hope that Joseph Bohlig, 52, from Kelso, Wash., was still alive after the ledge of snow he was standing on gave way, sending him sliding about 1,500 feet into the crater Monday afternoon.

Overnight temperatures at the crater fell into the 20s, and dense fog and rain shrouded Mt. St. Helens this morning, hampering rescue efforts, said David Cox, Skamania County undersheriff.

Witnesses said Bohlig's body, which was discovered at 2:40 p.m. on a steep slope on the south crater wall, was nearly buried in the snow, and rescuers had to use shovels to uncover it before loading it into the Navy helicopter used for the rescue effort.

Rescue efforts to resume for climber who fell into Mt. St. Helens crater

Washington state authorities plan to resume efforts this morning to rescue a climber who fell into the crater at Mt. St. Helens Monday afternoon.

Rescuers believe that the 52-year-old Washington man was hiking with a friend and moved to the rim to have his picture taken when the ledge of snow he was standing on gave way, sending him sliding about 1,500 feet into the crater.

The rescue attempt was suspended Monday evening when high winds made footing unstable for search personnel.

One rescuer reached the floor of the volcano's crater, but had to abandon efforts to find the man because strong downdrafts were dislodging rocks, said David Cox, Skamania County undersheriff.

At last sighting he was not moving.

"The pilot did a reconnaissance flight, got up relatively close, could not see any movement," Tom McDowell, North Country Emergency Medical Service director, told "Good Morning America" Monday. "He didn't make any effort to signal the helicopter."

The man has been described as an experienced hiker who has climbed the mountain as many as 68 times.

The now-dormant volcano erupted with catastrophic force in 1980, devastating 230 square miles of forest and creating the crater at the top of the mountain, now a popular hiking destination.

The climb to its crater provides outstanding views of the lava dome, blast area and surrounding volcanic peaks, but the U.S. Forest Service warns of the instability of the cornices and strongly advises extreme caution be used near the crater rim, as it is unstable and prone to sudden failure

-- Kelly Burgess

Photo: Some cornices on the crater rim of Mt. St. Helens. Credit: U.S. Geological Survey

Related:

Climber falls into Mt. St. Helens crater; rescue effort underway

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Climber falls into Mt. St. Helens crater; rescue effort underway

A climber has fallen into the crater at Mt. St. Helens in Washington state and a rescue effort is underway.

The Associated Press reports that the Skamania County Sheriff's office said that a U.S. Geological Survey helicopter spotted the climber on a steep slope near the bottom of the crater, but was unable to pick him up because of whiteout conditions and high winds.

The climber's condition is unknown, though he is conscious because he has been blowing a rescue whistle.

Undersheriff Dave Cox said that a Coast Guard rescue helicopter has been contacted but it's uncertain if the climber can be rescued before nightfall. Meanwhile, a ground rescue team is being organized.

-- Kelly Burgess

Photo: Image from Mt. St. Helens volcano cam at 4 p.m. Monday. Credit: USDA Forest Service / Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument  

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