bald butte snowkiting article in oregonlive tonight

endoshred · Since 22 May 2006 232 Posts HR Stoked

http://www.oregonlive.com/news/index.ssf/2009/04/snowkiters_at_bald_butte_flyin.html

stringer · Since 31 Jul 2007 694 Posts Chucktown Flying Tomato

This article is interesting.
I still think that they should have less emphasis on this being an extreme sport.
They/we should focus on this as a way to explore the wilderness in the winter without harming it or its character.
What is the definition of "wilderness character" anyway???
In the Forest Service Manual that Tim posted there seems to be no real explicit legal definition.
It seems really subjective.
If it is within the character of the wilderness to post hole my way up a mountain possibly harming the plants and even some burrowed animal dens to go ski or snowboard down and risk causing an avalanche then how does snowkiting not preserve that same character?

It was disheartening though to read the comments to the article.
People seem to either don't understand what our issue (or sport) is and are against us or don't really care.

Wind Slither · Since 04 Mar 2005 2626 Posts The 503 METAL

Front page Oregonian this morning!

Shocked

hodakaparts · Since 13 Apr 2009 1 Posts New Member

Hi,
I just read the story in the paper and can relate to it. I'm not a kiter, but I do have some experience dealing with goverment land closures.
You and your sport have a real fight on your horizon, which in all probability you will lose. For decades now the USFS and other agencies have been closing land to recreational use. Usually for the flimsiest of reasons. Many individuals and groups have fought back, mostly with negative results.
However, some have been able to pull out a win of sorts now and then.
I suggest that you all obtain a copy of "Monkey Butt" by Rick Sieman. Should be available on Amazon and other places.
A great book, it covers the long running battle in California in the last few decades regarding the closure of public lands to off roaders. It will give you a heads up on the absolutely incredible lenghts the goverment will go to to keep you out. To keep you out of even the most barren, desolate, non sensitive land. It also may give you a few ideas on how to fight back and what it may cost you in time and money.
The bottom line is that public lands are in many cases, not for the public.
Good luck.

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4911 Posts Portland Unstrapped

Some great thought provoking comments though...

Posted by grossmeyer on 04/13/09 at 12:22AM
When I backpack in to a wilderness area, the last thing I want to see is some artifact of the 21st century - be it a mountain bike or a snow kite. Wilderness is wilderness.

this is so awesome...

Posted by brandon1 on 04/13/09 at 8:08AM

Hey Grossmeyer:
I don't want to see YOU 'backpacking' in MY wilderness. I will be out there with my knife and loincloth and I don't want to see you with your North Face and Camel Back gear/21'st century artifacts.

Sol-flyer · Tue Apr 14, 09 9:40 am **Act Now**

This is an interesting article, But i felt it had some gaps that needed more information. Still, most of the reply's seem rather the typical enviro bashing and general nit-picking.

I think that its obviuos how WE all feel, but its funny to see how people who know nothing about the sport get in on our side and bring up some interesting stuff (or funny defensive comments). I think there needs be be more awareness of the sport before the general public can really vouch for us. I think the U.S. snowkite assoc. is a good start, but I have'nt seen much happening with that?

Meanwhile for us down here, we have been in contact with the F.S. and they are very open and receptive towards this growing sport. Even though none of our area's are delcared wilderness, I'd like to think that we can develop a postive relationship with the F.S. and set an example for "what could be" snowkiting in wilderness.

This is a very sensitive time for snowkiting as a lot of us are thinking only about water riding and the coming of the NW wind season. It would be sad to have this slip out from underneath of us while we're off in "wa wa" land.

Reaper356 · Since 10 Dec 2006 781 Posts Salem / LC Oregon Opinionated

TrickyNicky · Since 14 Nov 2008 56 Posts

"Since there wasn't snowkiting even dreamed of at this time, that would come under a new impact that would change the wilderness character," said Worf. "There's nothing wrong with snowkiting, but it shouldn't be in wilderness."

This may be the lamest quote in the article. Worf admits nothing is wrong with it, but still considers it wrong. It's logical because kiting wasn't around in the 60's to create a rule against doing it in the wilderness? Someone help me understand the meaning of wilderness character when there is no way possible a kite could ever damage a tree.

What do cycling groups do now to preserve access? What kind of battle did they have on their hands at the onset of opposition?

Mark · Thu Apr 16, 09 8:14 am

http://www.sharetrails.org/

The BlueRibbon Coalition is a national non-profit organization dedicated to preserving responsible recreational access to public lands and waters. We want to keep your land open for use, whether you recreate on a mountain bike, snowmobile, motorcycle, personal watercraft, ATV, four-wheeler, horse, or your hiking boots.

Today, the BlueRibbon Coalition is a respected national recreation group that represents over 10,000 individual members and 1,200 organization and business members, for a combined total of over 600,000 recreationists nationwide.

DROCK999 · Since 31 May 2007 852 Posts Left Coast Opinionated