(Editor’s Note: Brian McClellan of Olean, N.Y. is curator of the Cattaraugus County Museum in Machias and part-time Olean Times Herald staffer. He’s also now a Adirondack High Peaks 46er.)
(Editor’s Note: Brian McClellan of Olean is curator of the Cattaraugus County Museum in Machias and part-time Times Herald staffer. He’s also now an Adirondack High Peaks 46er.)
People venturing into the Wheeler Peak and Columbine Hondo Wilderness Areas near Taos Ski Valley, by far the most popular areas for backcountry skiing in New Mexico, have a valuable resource the Taos Avalanche Center. TAC was established in 2016 by Andy Bond and Rachel Moscarella. “The sentiment was that there was a real need in Northern New Mexico for backcountry avalanche information, and avalanche education programs,” Andy explained recently while sitting on the tailgate of a truck parked near the Bavarian at Taos Ski Valley, enjoying some sun and rest.
Firefighter Leslie Pratt of Colorado was working on the Caldor Fire near Trimmer Peak in the Lake Tahoe Basin on September 11 when she spotted a young bear walking through the burned forest. It did not appear to be harmed and walked normally, Pratt said.