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Backcountry Film Festival in Santa Barbara

The Backcountry Film Festival is still going strong. Next up — Santa Barbara on Wednesday, Jan. 13!

From the Santa Barbara Independent:

Among the highlights are: Signatures by the Colorado-Japan team of Sweetgrass Productions, which shows the carving characters and wondrous snow of Hokkaido, Japan; Teton Gravity Research's Generations, which shows how quickly climate change is impacting ski resorts from Europe to the American northeast; and the informative, engaging Red Lady by Snow Lion Productions, which covers the decades-old fight by the town of Crested Butte, Colorado, against a massive mining company that wants to extract molybdenum from a famed peak nearby. Throw in another three films, and it's hours of fun for all, whether you crave the snow or just want to learn more about saving the wintry wilderness.

Check out the Backcountry Film Festival site to see where we'll be next!

SheJumps Into Winter: A FUNdraising Night of Avalanche Awareness

Don't miss Veteran forcaster and exum guide Evelyn Lees at the SheJumps Into Winter: A FUNdraising Night of Avalanche Awareness Thursday night, Jan. 21 in Salt Lake City! The Winter Wildlands crew will be there!

High Country News: Setting the record straight on wilderness

From High Country News, Dec. 2009:

It's been a good year for wilderness. In March, the Omnibus Lands Bill designated over 2 million acres of wilderness in nine states. In September, President Obama declared a month-long celebration of the Wilderness Act, and this November, the United States, Canada and Mexico signed the world's first international agreement on wilderness conservation.

Perhaps because wilderness has been getting serious consideration in Washington, there's been a backlash. Proposals for new wilderness areas -- especially the big ones being debated in Utah and the Northern Rockies -- become punching bags for those who regard wilderness as a four-letter word. Opponents say it blocks access, locks up resources and worsens fire problems. They claim it hinders local use of the land, reserving it for the rich and out-of-state.

The criticisms offer an opportunity to set a few things straight...

Many of us are realizing the truth of what John Muir said over a century ago, that going into wilderness is going home. This message has critical importance in the 21st century, when the future of so much life is in the hands of humanity. In our era, it's not the size or number of wilderness areas that will save life on earth; sadly, they will always be too small and fragmented for that. Instead, it's the psychological and emotional impact that wilderness has on us. America needs wilderness to keep its soul alive.

Read the rest of the story on High Country News online...

Backcountry Film Festival in Buffalo, WY January 14

Don't miss the Winter Wildlands Alliance Backcountry Film Festival in Buffalo, WY on January 14! The festival will be coming to the Buffalo Theater and will benefit the Wyoming Wilderness Association. Please join us and bring a dish to share for a potluck supper and social hour. Films start at 6:30pm. Forrest McCarthy, Winter Wildlands Wyoming Rep will be our guest and lead discussion on the adventure of human-powered winter recreation.

Sawtooth Mountains Companion Avalanche Rescue-Field Training

Start the year off right with a refresher course on Avalanche safety. The Sawtooth Mountain Guides Companion Avalanche Rescue Field Training is coming up on Jan. 2. The class includes avalanche rescue scenarios, effective use of tour participants, equipment considerations, leadership, and complex/multiple burials. This Field Training is appropriate for first time beacon users and backcountry enthusiasts with some experience. Registration for this field day requires attendance at the Sawtooth Mountain Guides Backcountry Travel & Avalanche Awareness lecture on December 16th at REI. The field training will happen at Bogus Basin in Boise. Cost: $50.00 class fee.

Going to miss out? Check out http://www.sawtoothguides.com/ for information on future classes and guided trips.