Adventurers in Utah and beyond are finding validation — and some traumatic flashbacks — with the ascent of a term for being abandoned on a date in the great outdoors: "Alpine divorce."

Why it matters: In a state where outdoor rec attracts a lot of young singles, mismatched adventuring skill is a relationship hurdle as normal as disapproving parents.

The big picture: The phrase proliferated on social media after the manslaughter conviction last month of a mountaineer whose girlfriend died on Austria's highest peak when he left her behind during a difficult climb in 2025. Another ex-girlfriend said the man did the same thing to her.

• Then a video of a woman sobbing after a man ditched her in the Nevada desert went viral. A flood of commenters recalled dates who abandoned them on the trail.

The intrigue: Multiple accounts of similar situations come from Utah, the Guardian reported last week.

Case in point: One woman said her date was irritated by her slow pace while hiking to Zion's Angels Landing.

• After a photo at the top, he joined another woman he'd met on the trail and left his date to hike back alone.

Another woman said she was disoriented and dizzy on Deseret Peak when her male friend zipped ahead to achieve his goal of climbing the highest peak of each Utah county.

• She also recalled finding a woman lying on the ground at Arches National Park after her date had left her to retrieve his camera, which she'd dropped at Delicate Arch in a bout of "severe vertigo."

Zoom out: The hills have long been alive with the sound of couples' disputes.

• Sometimes women abandon men, and not all LGBTQ+ couples find their stride. But tales of Alpine divorce overwhelmingly feature struggling women ditched by exasperated men.

Threat level: Beyond betrayal, hikers have described being left while sick or injured; unable to speak the local language; and without routefinding information, adequate water or gear.

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After reading so many stories of hikers being abandoned, I'm prone to assume the worst of men who bail on struggling partners.

🏔️ But as an amateur outdoorswoman who's usually outmatched by her husband, I can see the grey area from which some of these choices could emerge.

• I've told my hubs to go ahead a couple of times when I was holding him back. He almost always refuses. But he also knows when I can hold my own, and that I often hike and ski solo.

Meanwhile, panic happens in bad situations. Telling your date to lie down and nurse her vertigo could seem like the least bad option if you plan to return after retrieving your camera at Arches.

• Yes, but: Treating a partner with cruelty is a big red flag when it's thoroughly possible to just be kind.

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Expect more vendors and bigger crowds when Empanada Fest returns next month.

State of play: Now in its sixth year, the free festival will take over the outdoor Granary Live venue and is expected to draw about 2,500 attendees — roughly 1,000 more than last year, organizer Ana Valdemoros told Axios.

• It'll feature a Fisher Beer garden, live performances and, for the first time, an eating contest.
• More than a dozen vendors will serve the flavors of Argentina, Jamaica, Peru, Thailand, Venezuela and beyond. And a three-judge panel will crown the best empanada.

🥟 The event is meant to celebrate international cuisines and support small businesses, said Valdemoros, a former Salt Lake City Council member and owner of Argentina's Best Empanadas.

Catch up quick: The idea for the festival dates back to 2021, when the incubator kitchen Valdemoros co-founded began selling boxes of empanadas during the pandemic.

• An initial release of 100 boxes sold out in a day, and Valdemoros realized there's high demand for the stuffed pastry.

The bottom line: A version of the empanada — whether you call it a turnover or pastry pocket — shows up in cuisines around the world.

• It's a reminder that while every culture is distinct, we're connected by shared traditions.

Stop by: Empanada Fest will run 11am-10pm on April 18.

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🎞️ The historic Tower Theater at 9th and 9th is slated for a major transformation, with architects starting the project by taking apart the building's facade. (Salt Lake Tribune)

⛽ The average gallon of gas in Utah sits at $4.02 as of yesterday, per AAA, making it one of 11 states where gas has surpassed the $4 mark. (FOX 13)

🦠 State health officials identified 43 new measles cases this week, bringing the total to 486 diagnoses since the outbreak began last summer. (Utah DHHS)

🌱 Northern Utah's gardeners should resist the temptation to plant delicate veggies early, despite the ongoing heat wave. Temps could still drop again before the usual planting season in late April or early May, horticulturists say. (KUER)

We asked readers to share pics of their best friends for National Puppy Day — and they absolutely understood the assignment.