White Salmon Bar Clean up

Stagecoach · Since 07 May 2009 88 Posts

Temira's website says there is a clean up planned for Sunday. Anyone have any details?

kitezilla · Since 22 Jun 2006 453 Posts gorge Obsessed

I noticed that announcement on Temira's THGIMG blog, yesterday. The very nice group of people that I have gotten to know down there, are good-hearted and acting out of the best intentions, and love for the new kite launch playground, and want to make the place even better than it is already. Lately, everybody has been doing really well in parking their vehicles, along the narrow shoulder of the road. Almost everyone is carefully BACKING IN to the easement, avoiding smashing into the BNSF chainlink fence, and parking close to each other. That is nice to see... keep up the good work.

It will be fun to see if any fishermen, windsurfers, kayakers, SUPers, dog walkers, sunbathers, or the tourists, who have also discovered the new beach, will stop by for a beer. If so, I hope we all will be welcoming, and use the event as a "teaching moment", and do not make non-kiters feel as though we kiters are "staking claim" to the beach. I don't think that we really know who's property, the sandbar belongs to or what laws or ordinances apply to any activity on the property, so I hope we don't inadvertently step on any toes, during the event.

It will be nice to get rid of all the little sticks which are stuck in the sand, at the water's edge. These little sticks really catch kite lines. I don't think that a case can be made against the clean-up of these little sticks, located on the dry sand and at the water's edge, but keep in mind, that like the situation at the Klick, the "deadheads" and embedded branches, in the deeper water, are considered FISH HABITAT, and disturbing fish habitat, may trigger complaints from sources, such as the fishing community, environmentalists, and other 'stewarts of the river'.

If you deccide to participate in this event, please be familiar with the issues expressed in the following threads.

After the little sticks are removed from the sandbar, that location will actually become "beginner friendly". The level of the Columbia River has now dropped enough, so that beginners can now walk safely across the lateral current of the White Salmon River to have their kites launched, away from the railroad tracks, from the outer sandbar.

If the little parking strip along Hwy 14 gets filled up, you can park your car up along the road that goes to Husum. That is a safer place to park anyways... fishermen have done this for years. If we are as careful in parking cars, as the fishermen have always been, maybe there will be a future for this kite launch sandbar. The fishermen also kept their drinking on the 'down-low', and under control, and enjoyed the place, as much as we kiters hope to.

http://www.nwkite.com/forums/t-26971.html&sid=e8a7f3fba5ad12630234e59f31dce67f

http://www.nwkite.com/forums/t-26977.html&sid=e8a7f3fba5ad12630234e59f31dce67f

moondog · Thu Aug 09, 12 8:34 am

I believe it is from 1-5 on sunday the 12th. Pony keg provided by some nice Underwoodites!

4Stringer/KipWinger · Since 27 Apr 2005 541 Posts Hood River Addicted

Monkeyboy's gonna claim this is my beer payment for the White Salmon bar bet we made shortly after the dam breach...

Pepi · Thu Aug 09, 12 12:42 pm

Thanks for the post Zilla.

Establishing good safety rules and a game plan for how best to act on a low impact manner for this location is a great start.
Ditto on this for how to blend in or integrate with the local fishing community and in dealing with Railroad issues.

Please keep us posted on how you guys recommend users approach this possible new location without jeopardizing any parking, access or safety boundaries.

As a frequent traveller up to that location via the Sandbar, I have had to rescue more than 3 kiters this summer who dropped their kites in the eddy pool above that area and were unable to relaunch on their own, same with some boards drifting away from riders.
It might not exactly be the best spot for encouraging beginners, plus once they go out into the river, there is usually a very tight flock of advanced kiters flying around each other that might not be for the faint of heart, or a person lacking in strong flying skills.
Not trying to nitpick, but just trying to be considerate of what the area might pose for those with lesser to non-intermediate kite skills.

Look forward to hearing about more progress up in that area.

Thank you

LittleSwill · Since 09 Aug 2012 5 Posts Kook

Yes cleanup is officially happening Sunday from 2 ish on, but feel free to start whenever you want. All waterfans are encouraged to come. Bring yard tools food, beer toys ! .let's hope for a great wind day to mix a little fun in with the play!

mustardandrye · Since 10 Aug 2012 2 Posts New Member

Who can I call to get the details on this clean up??

LittleSwill · Since 09 Aug 2012 5 Posts Kook

Best way to reach me iis by email if you have any questions.
Thanks !
Susie
435 659 1896

mustardandrye · Since 10 Aug 2012 2 Posts New Member

what's your email?

apctjb · Since 19 Aug 2007 438 Posts Obsessed

Sticks or no sticks the WS is NOT beginner friendly....

LittleSwill · Since 09 Aug 2012 5 Posts Kook

Postponed to next Saturday, August 18, 10-2.
Please PM me with any questions.
Thanks!