May 26 Buzz: Outdoors News Shorts
North Cascades Highway reopened this week
Following one of the snowiest winters the North Cascades have seen in a long time, SR 20 reopened yesterday (May 25) at noon. It was the second latest reopening of the highway in 39 years. Clearing efforts of the 75+ feet of snow took more than six weeks, compared with three and a half weeks last spring. WSDOT’s preparations for the reopening included a helicopter to do avalanche control and a morning sweep of the entire 37-mile winter closure zone.
http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/passes/northcascades
Support public lands when you “Add Your Own Scenery”
You have probably seen one of Merrell’s “Add Your Own Scenery” ads on a bus or billboard. This week, Merrell announced the global campaign behind the ads: let fans upload images of their favorite outdoor vistas in order to stitch together the world’s largest panoramic photo. For every photo uploaded, Merrell will donate a dollar, up to $250,000, to support public lands around the world. You can join the effort and check out others’ photos online at http://www.addyourownscenery.com.
National Trails Day is June 4
The American Hiking Society’s signature event, National Trails Day, is on June 4 this year. Its motto, “Made with All Natural Ingredients”, speaks to the simple grassroots efforts of this nationwide initiative. Hundreds of organizations, nonprofits, businesses, and individuals will sponsor National Trails Day events across the country.
Local Northwest events include Washington Trails Association’s family work party at Cougar Mountain, the Central Oregon Trail Alliance’s Spring Fling in Bend, and the Rainier to Ruston Relay and Ultra Run from Carbonado to Tacoma.
Search for events by map, and stock up on National Trails Day t-shirts and temporary tattoos online at http://www.americanhiking.org/national-trails-day.
Deadline approaching for Stevens Pass Bike Park Drop-In Alliance
After six years of vision and hard work, the Stevens Pass Bike Park project is finally coming to fruition. With construction beginning this summer, the May 31 deadline is approaching rapidly to join the Drop-In Alliance of founding members.
Alliance members will receive exclusive benefits like a SPBP season pass through the 2015 season, a Dakine limited edition jersey, an anodized gold laser engraved stem cap, preferred renewal rates, and invitations to drop in sessions including pre-completion trail riding, clinics, demos, film events, and more. Cost is $1,000 per person and is good for five years.
