Sierra Peaks Section

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Membership Application or Renewal Form  -  Renewal due 12/31; delinquent after 3/31

Scrambler Ratings Updated

2/11/2024 - The tables of Mountain Scrambler Ratings for Sierra Nevada peaks have been updated with new ratings for 228 non-technical routes up SPS and non-SPS summits, including coverage of an additional 116 mountains.  In addition, Scrambler Ratings have been revised for 24 routes.  In total, there are now Mountain Scrambler Ratings for 839 non-technical routes up 549 Sierra Nevada peaks. For more info, click HERE.   

     Scrambler Ratings for:     SPS Peaks   |   Non-SPS High Sierra Peaks   |   Definitions    

SPS Echo Newsletter / Peaks List

12/27/23 - The Jan-Mar 2024 Newsletter Vol 68-1 is now available.
2/14/23 - To access any issue from 1970 to present, click HERE.    
3/12/24 - SPS Peaks List, January 2024 - 28th Edition    

Total Solar Eclipse in the U.S.

4/8/2024 - For an interactive map of the 4/8/2024 eclipse route, check https://eclipse2024.org/eclipse_cities/statemap.html.    [posted 12/27/23]

Sierra Club Board of Director Elections

4/24/24 - W - noon EST deadline - Elections are now underway for 5 board members for the 2024-2027 term on the national Sierra Club Board of Directors. Club members who signed up for electronic delivery have probably received a ballot (from President Allison Chin) via e-mail within the last week. Others should receive a ballot via U.S. mail. The ballot has information on how to access information on the candidates. Please vote for the candidates of your choice who will determine the direction of the Club for the future.

Zion National Park - Angels Landing - Permit Lottery

1/2/2024 - For 2024, Zion National Park is continuing its (lottery based) permit system for the trail to the top of Angels Landing. For more info, click HERE (external link).

Newsletter Index Page Expanded

11/21/23 - The Newsletter Index now indexes Echos from 1970 through 2023. Climbs and photos of SPS peaks are now listed in Peaks List order. The index is now split onto several web pages.

Himalayan Glaciers Melting

7/28/23 - The Himalayan glaciers are melting at the fastest rate ever seen, CBS News reported. The Hindu Kush region of the Himalayan (HKH) Mountains spans more than 2,000 miles and houses the highest mountains in the world, including Mount Everest. It contains the largest volume of ice on Earth outside the two poles. For more info, click HERE    (external msn.com link)

National Park/Forest  Info

7/18/23 - If you are planning to go any National Park or Forest, it is always a good idea to check their web site for road and trail closures or other alerts.  For a link to Sierra park/forest web sites, check our Parks/Forests web page. Latest check indicated that Sequoia NP currently has no public transportation.

11/26/23 - Su - Yosemite NP: Tioga Pass road is closed for the winter. Glacier Point road is temporarily closed. A reservation is required to drive into Yosemite for visitors arriving February 10–11, February 17–19, and February 24–25, 2024.

 

Rockfall on Teton's Second Tower

 

For photos and a description of the recent rockfall, go to https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/article/rockfall-changes-world-famous-teton-skyline-forever/ar-AA1biQcD?ocid=msedgdhp&pc=U531&cvid=78d033e595b64cebbccdd23cead4fab9&ei=126       

National Park Entry Requirement

6/5/23 - Some parks within the National Park System (including Death Valley) no longer accept cash and require a debit or credit card for entry. For more info, click HERE [msn.com web site].

Board of Director Election Results

4/27/23 - Shruti Bhatnagar, Rita Harris, David Holtz, Patrick Murphy, and Dave Scott have been elected to serve three-year terms on the volunteer Sierra Club Board of Directors.    

Banquet Presentation - 247 Peaks in One Year

In 2022, Travis Soares and Nathan Longhurst set out to climb all 247 SPS peaks in one year to set the Fastest Known Time. Travis completed the list in a remarkable 117 days, twenty days faster than Nathan, in a remarkable feat of planning, logistics, endurance, and adventure.

At the 2023 SPS Annual Banquet (on Sunday January 29, 2023), Travis Soares gave a presentation on the climbs. For a link to the youtube.com recording of the presentation, click HERE.  

National Park/Forest  Info

10/10/22 - If you are planning to go to Yosemite - or any National Park or Forest, it is always a good idea to check their web site for road and trail closures or other alerts.  For a link to their web sites, check our Parks/Forests web page.

SPS Changes - Recent Years

Info moved to About Us page - For text on the following topics, click HERE:
2/11/24 - Ratings for Scramblers - Updated    
1/1/20 - New Waiver Forms for Outings Leaders    
9/29/17 - FREE First Year's Membership or Echo Subscription    
9/28/17 - Outings Leader Incentives    
SPS List with Mileage, Gain and Trailhead Information    
12/xx/15 - SPS Membership Requirements - Change  

Other Links / Info

Info removed from this page may have been moved to the News--Recent Past page     

6/10/22 - California Air Board Questions Electric Car Mandate?    

6/10/22 - Flex-fuel Vehicles and E-85 Use    

6/4/22 - Yosemite now has 15 EV charging stations and expects to have 64 by the end of the year. For more info, see the Spring/Summer issue of Yosemite Conservancy v13#1

5/21/21 - Starting today, reservations are required to drive into Yosemite National Park

Items moved here to reduce clutter in index at top of page:

5/20/21 - Great American Outdoors Act - Positive Impact on National Forests
5/10/21 - Who Owns America's Wilderness? (Link to article in The Atlantic)
4/23/21 - Mining Exploration Threatens Long Valley

11/12/19 - If you have any interest in California water policy, check this LA Times editorial.  

Free Every Kid Outdoors Annual Pass for 4th graders only  

Recent member accomplishments/emblems are listed on the Accomplishments page.
New members are listed on the New Members page.

Road Closures in National Parks and Forests: Go to Permits page and look for Alerts.
Road Closures elsewhere in California: Go to Links page for link to Caltrans

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Campfire Events Calendar

Everyone should read and be familiar with the information on the Outings Participants web page before signing up for an SPS outing. Note the new SEARCH OPTIONS block below on the left side.

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