AVALANCHE BEACON RECALL

Ortovox is recalling its new 3+ avalanche transceiver because in recent testing, some of the devices from a group shipped to vendors after October 17, 2012 "switched to transmission mode unintentionally after 120 seconds in search mode." If you own an Ortovox 3+, follow this link to check your device's serial number. Recalled devices will be inspected and given any needed upgrades.

GIGAPIXEL IMAGE OF KHUMBU GLACIER

Khumbu Glacier -  Pumori 2012

If you have a few minutes to kill and a computer with good RAM, have a look at this amazing image.  Can you zoom in and find the climbers?  What about Everest Base Camp?

If you'd like to get a feel for how much the Khumbu Glacier has receded in the modern era, check out this link.

CARABINER RECALL: WILD COUNTRY HELIUM

Wild Country is voluntarily recalling units of the popular Helium carabiner purchased after July 15, 2012, having discovered a problem with the gate on some units.  You can read details about the recall here.

SILVIA VIDAL - SOLO AID CLIMBER

A contemplative video about Silvia Vidal, who spent 32 days alone on Serrania Avalancha, a very big wall in Chilean Patagonia.

WINTER CLIMBING!

[From the December 2011 Mazama Bulletin]

Welcome to our winter climb season! Here at the Mazamas, winter climbs run from December 1 to April 30. The good news is that, during the winter, the mountains have fewer climbers and more snow. The bad news is that the weather tends to be much less predictable and avalanche danger much greater. Therefore, the Mazamas conduct winter climbs a little differently from those that take place during the summer.