The Fall of "The Rise of the Wasps"?

Is this the worst year for wasps/yellow-jackets/hornets in recent memory?

I know these flying fuckers are much more active as the warm days start wrapping up; they start preparing for winter and become aggressively hungry for meat, while also being typical territorial assholes. 

So maybe it's just more people reporting conditions these days, but it feels like 2023 has been particularly bad. I'm seeing it in condition reports for climbing spots from Northern CA to Washington; I've experienced it at two very different crags in Oregon since July; I'm seeing it in hiking and trail reports across wilderness areas; hell, I'm seeing it in my own backyard. 

What gives? Is it as bad as it seems, or is this par for the PNW course and I've not been paying attention?

Entomological explanations, sharing your story of attacks, stories of revenge, or other general ranting against yellowjackets/hornets/airborne assholes are welcome below.

\/ \/ Based on Alan's message below, sounds like it's coast to coast!

Was at a crag today in western Massachusetts on an unseasonably warm (80) day and the wasps were really swarming the sunny areas, though seemed to avoid the shady climbs—fortunately!!!! I agree that I never recall them being so bad on this particular cliff.

Had a personal run in with a yellow jacket this summer while on trail in Washington and have heard several other anecdotes this summer. No data to back that up though. Warmer summer and related factors are supposed to be the underlying cause but not sure why that has resulted in more aggressive and active behavior. 

A nest popped up on outer space this year in Leavenworth that has been giving climbers hell and keeping some off the route 

Was backpacking in the Olympics and both my partner and I got stung at completely separate parts of the trail, first time I've ever gotten a wasp sting! Not sure about this season vs others, but also seeing lots of reports of wasps for climbs and trails.

There is a group of them bumping their heads on the side of my vehicle through our the day as I am parked here. Anyone know why would they be bumping their heads up against a white van? 

Never seen then this bad, but animals tend to go in cycles.  Whatever they eat was in excess this/last year. Whatever eats them will be in excess next year. 

I was wearing a florescent green shirt on a long climb this summer and they would not leave it alone.  Just kept chasing it. Had to take it off and pull it behind me for safety. 

Fwiw I haven’t encountered a single wasp or related bugger this year (been mainly doing some kayak trips, some alpine climbing, some lowland cragging, around western wa)

I think yes? But that is only because I was stung outside of Eldo in August and found out the hard way that I’m pretty allergic - emergency room and everything. I now carry epi pens! They have been especially bad in our yard / neighborhood in Denver.

We bailed from The Frying Pan due to wasps all over the climbs in Sept (I left my Evolv Shakas in the bail if anyone is up there at some point

Was at a trail race this weekend and a guy got chased down by a swarm of them and stung a few times during the race. Seems like I keep hearing of these types of incidents this year.