Hiking news

Here are some recent hiking news articles and updates:

National Parks

• Yellowstone National Park reopens after 36-day shutdown due to government funding (The New York Times)
• Zion National Park to increase shuttle service to reduce congestion (USA Today)
• Great Smoky Mountains National Park to offer free admission on National Public Lands Day (National Park Service)

Trail Closures

• Popular hiking trail in California's Yosemite National Park closed due to rockfall (Yosemite National Park website)
• Appalachian Trail section in North Carolina closed due to storm damage (Appalachian Trail Conservancy)
• Hiker dies on Mount Rainier in Washington state after falling into crevasse (Seattle Times)

Conservation Efforts

• National Park Service launches initiative to reduce plastic waste in parks (National Park Service)
• Outdoor recreation industry commits to reducing environmental impact (Outdoor Industry Association)
• New study highlights importance of preserving wilderness areas for mental health (University of California, Berkeley)

Gear and Technology

• New hiking boots with built-in GPS and navigation system launched (REI)
• Smart hiking socks with built-in temperature control and blister prevention (SmartWool)
• Portable camping stove with solar power and USB charging (BioLite)

Safety and Rescue

• Hiker rescued after being stranded for 5 days in Arizona's Superstition Mountains (Arizona Republic)
• New study highlights importance of carrying a personal locator beacon (PLB) on long hikes (National Park Service)
• Hiker dies in Colorado after falling off cliff while taking selfie (Denver Post)

Events and Festivals

• Appalachian Trail thru-hiker completes 2,190-mile journey in 4 months (Appalachian Trail Conservancy)
• Outdoor Retailer trade show returns to Denver, Colorado (Outdoor Retailer)
• National Trails Day events take place across the country (American Hiking Society)

I hope you find these updates interesting and informative!