tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31124087139693557222024-02-20T18:16:34.660-08:00Bend Backcountry AllianceUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3112408713969355722.post-9475466101063987422009-02-02T09:06:00.000-08:002009-11-15T10:10:18.248-08:00Join us today.The Bend Backcountry Alliance supports quiet, human-powered winter recreation in the backcountry surrounding Bend, Oregon.<br />
<br />
Please support us by joining our mailing list. It's an easy way to help preserve and promote human-powered recreation in Bend's natural areas. We'll keep you posted about issues regarding backcountry access, user conflicts, and more. Your information will be kept confidential and will not be shared with third parties. Thanks for your support!<br />
<br />
<br />
<!-- BEGIN: Constant Contact Stylish Email Newsletter Form --><br />
<div align="center"><div style="width:160px; background-color: #ffffff;"><form name="ccoptin" action="http://visitor.constantcontact.com/d.jsp" target="_blank" method="post" style="margin-bottom:3;"><font style="font-weight: bold; font-family:Arial; font-size:16px; color:#cc6600;">Sign up for our email newsletter</font><br />
<input type="text" name="ea" size="20" value="" style="font-family:Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size:10px; border:1px solid #999999;"><br />
<input type="submit" name="go" value="GO" class="submit" style="font-family:Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size:10px;"><br />
<input type="hidden" name="m" value="1102343282554"><br />
<input type="hidden" name="p" value="oi"><br />
</form></div></div><!-- END: Constant Contact Stylish Email Newsletter Form --><br />
<!-- BEGIN: SafeSubscribe --><br />
<div align="center" style="padding-top:5px;"><a href="http://www.constantcontact.com/safesubscribe.jsp" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.constantcontact.com/ui/images1/safe_subscribe_logo.gif" border="0" width="168" height="14" alt=""/></a><br />
</div><!-- END: SafeSubscribe --><br />
<br />
<!-- BEGIN: Email Marketing you can trust --><br />
<div align="center" style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:10px;color:#999999;">For <a href="http://www.constantcontact.com/index.jsp" style="text-decoration:none;font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:10px;color:#999999;" target="_blank">Email Marketing</a> you can trust<br />
</div><!-- END: Email Marketing you can trust -->Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3112408713969355722.post-2978927944525799622009-01-04T11:29:00.000-08:002009-02-02T15:10:11.597-08:00Action Alert: Kapka Sno-Park<span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0); font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-family:georgia;"><div>2-2-09 Update:</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The comment period for the proposed Kapka Butte Sno-Park is officially closed. Thanks to the many people who took the time to comment. </span></span></span></div><div><br /></div>1-28-09 Update:</span><br /><div><span style="font-style: italic;">There are just a few more days to comment on the proposed Kapka sno-park. Taking the step of voicing your opposition to the Kapka proposal as it is currently outlined is critical to opening a dialogue about everything from improved parking at Dutchman Flat to turning Tumalo Mountain into a non-motorized zone. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">If you don't think there's a need for better management of the conflicts between motorized and non-motorized users, just ask our sponsors. They've all been threatened by members of the snowmobile community. Even McMenamins, the venue for last night's film fest, received a threat–and they're not even a sponsor, just the nice folks who rented us the space. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Please take a moment to tell the Forest Service that the Kapka proposal should not move forward without a better plan for managing the issues that already exist.</span><br /></div><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;font-family:georgia;"><br />Synopsis:</span><br /><div>The Forest Service is proposing the construction of a massive sno-park at Kapka Butte. This will add more snowmobiles to the Century Drive corridor but will not address the safety, parking, and access needs of skiers and snowshoers.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">We need you to comment on this proposal, voicing your opposition to this new sno-park and your support for equitable accommodations for non-motorized users. </span><br /><br />Please email the Forest Service with your comments today. You’ll find supporting talking points below. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Send your email to:</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">comments-pacificnorthwest-deschutes-bend-ftrock@fs.fed.us</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:georgia;">(</span><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:georgia;">Please put “Kapka Scoping Comments” in the subject line of your email and cc: <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">info@bendbc.com</span>)<br /><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsUXamewVoHX4Y7SiH6KLVYb2nVzkXn0F5f57NKtXycYhjeK4fXGmbz14VCGE1ybDtzBx4OwEJFXA5Pzha0BSX2oAyn2aZKIA6l26IP67u2qI6kY6ZdPJgumBmGZtVhmPmW1LbDxUQ4W7W/s1600-h/Email_ScreenGrab.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 468px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsUXamewVoHX4Y7SiH6KLVYb2nVzkXn0F5f57NKtXycYhjeK4fXGmbz14VCGE1ybDtzBx4OwEJFXA5Pzha0BSX2oAyn2aZKIA6l26IP67u2qI6kY6ZdPJgumBmGZtVhmPmW1LbDxUQ4W7W/s400/Email_ScreenGrab.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5287552218004831746" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />You’ll find more details below. Thanks for your support!<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;">The Details:</span><br />The Deschutes National Forest is currently seeking public comment regarding the Kapka Butte Snowmobile Expansion Project, a new sno-park at Kapka Butte (the intersection of Century Drive and the Sunriver turnoff).<br /><br />The proposed Kapka Butte parking area is 100 feet wide and 1,600 feet long–twice the size of the existing Wanoga snowmobile parking lot. A lot this size will easily accommodate more than 125 trucks and trailers, providing capacity for 250 to 375 additional snowmobiles in the Century Drive corridor.<br /><br />In developing the Kapka Butte proposal, the Forest Service has retracted the long-standing plan to close Dutchman Sno-Park to snowmobile off-loading, and has ignored the need and requirement to address inevitable user conflicts that will accompany such a massive increase in motorized use.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;">Our Viewpoint:</span><br />The proposed Kapka sno-park will increase existing conflicts between motorized and non-motorized users. These conflicts not only include physical proximity and safety issues, but also noise and air pollution, and parking and access issues.<br /><br />Although the Kapka proposal includes the construction of trails for non-motorized users, most winter recreationists seeking a quiet winter experience are unlikely to want to spend their time near such a massive snowmobile staging area. Additionally, these areas offer no access to suitable terrain for backcountry skiers or snowshoers seeking more of a challenge.<br /><br />Most importantly, we believe that any proposal for increased motorized access in the Century Drive corridor must be balanced by equitable accommodations for non-motorized users.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Therefore, we strongly oppose the construction of the Kapka Butte Sno-Park.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;">Our Solution:</span><br />As many of you are aware, we proposed the creation of the Tumalo Backcountry Recreation Zone (BRZ), a non-motorized zone surrounding Tumalo Mountain (submitted to Deschutes National Forest Supervisor John Allen on May 8, 2008). The BRZ proposal defines a defensible non-motorized zone that encompasses Tumalo Mountain and the Dutchman Flat region.<br /><br />The goal of the BRZ is to enhance accessible backcountry recreation, increase tourism opportunities, and provide fair and reasonable mitigation for the impacts associated with an increase in snowmobiles in the Deschutes National Forest. The BRZ still allows snowmobile access to the high country beyond Tumalo while providing a quiet, safe zone for non-motorized users.<br /><br />You can view the proposal and a map of the BRZ by clicking the <a style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);" href="http://bendbackcountry.blogspot.com/search/label/Tumalo%20Backcountry%20Rec%20Zone">Tumalo Backcountry Rec Zone</a> link on the right side of this page.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;">Your Role:</span><br />If you value quiet winter recreation, believe you have a right to the same access opportunities as motorized users, and view Tumalo Mountain as a valuable resource, the Forest Service needs to hear your voice.<br /><br />We understand many of you have signed a petition supporting the development of a non-motorized zone surrounding Tumalo Mountain. We truly appreciate your effort. But to make this a reality, we also need your support at every step along the way. Opposing the Kapka sno-park is one of those steps.<br /><br />Please write to the Forest Service stating your opposition to the Kapka Butte Sno-Park proposal and your support for the Tumalo Backcountry Recreation Zone. The deadline for public comment is February 1, 2009.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Email your comments to:</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">comments-pacificnorthwest-deschutes-bend-ftrock@fs.fed.us</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:georgia;">(</span><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:georgia;">Please put “Kapka Scoping Comments” in the subject line of your email </span></span><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:georgia;">and cc: <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">info@bendbc.com</span>)</span></span><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br /></span>Or mail your comments to:<br />Shane Jeffries, District Ranger<br />Bend-Ft. Rock Ranger District<br />1230 NE 3rd St., Suite A-262<br />Bend, OR, 97701<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;">What to Say:</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Key talking points in opposition of the Kapka Sno-Park:<br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;">Safety and user conflicts: </span><br /><ul><li>I cannot support an expansion of snowmobile parking capacity without mitigation to address conflicts with non-motorized recreational users. Establishment of the Tumalo Backcountry Recreation Zone helps address these issues.</li></ul><ul><li>The size of the proposed Kapka sno-park is far too biased toward snowmobiles and therefore doesn’t balance the needs of all user groups.</li></ul><ul><li>Kapka Butte will have little value as a snowshoe destination due to its proximity to a major snowmobile staging area. Enhanced snowshoe opportunities on Tumalo Mountain would better serve these winter travelers. Likewise, the dog-friendly ski trails near Wanoga Sno-Play area are likely to be more suited to these users.</li></ul><span style="font-style: italic;">Access and Parking:</span><br /><ul><li>The Kapka proposal does not include the closure of Dutchman Sno-Park to snowmobile off-loading, as originally planned. This is another example of the Forest Service’s failure to adequately accommodate multiple user groups. </li></ul><span style="font-style: italic;">Management</span><br /><ul><li>There are no plans to manage the increased snowmobile traffic that the Kapka sno-park will bring. Additionally, the current non-motorized zones around Tumalo are difficult for the Forest Service to manage and for users to understand. On the other hand, backcountry users don’t require management or policing. </li></ul><span style="font-style: italic;">Noise and Air Pollution</span><br /><ul><li>Snowmobiles can already be heard from all Century Drive recreation areas. Increasing the number of snowmobiles in the area without mitigating this impact is unfair to the thousands of non-motorized users who use these public lands.</li></ul><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Key talking points in support of the Tumalo Backcountry Recreation Zone:<br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;">Area Growth:</span><br /><ul><li>As the Bend area population continues to expand, changes are necessary to accommodate the increased numbers in all user groups. Snowmobiles already have access to hundreds of miles of trails and huge tracts of land. </li></ul><span style="font-style: italic;">Economics</span><br /><ul><li>Skiers and snowboarders must have an alternative to paying for lift tickets or buying a snowmobile in order to pursue their activity. Skiing is an activity that should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their economic status.</li></ul><ul><li>Compared to the cost of building a sno-park, the cost of implementing a non-motorized recreation zone is insignificant.<br /></li></ul><ul><li>Backcountry recreation opportunities support local businesses and tourism in the Bend area.</li></ul><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;">Have a question or comment?</span><br />Email us at<span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);"> <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">info@bendbc.com</span></span><br /><br />Thanks for your time and support!<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3112408713969355722.post-38301464776152105692008-11-24T17:27:00.000-08:002010-02-24T17:32:16.411-08:00Bend’s Backcountry Film Festival<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDyzp91zrnDwRzJcX3RkZWuyQSyQa7fl40h_OJ-dcXMw16JrKiBTxakEN-SS66Ghq0mUyEiUxUtXgGmTbaLmWEE2BHlqDkvt2ltYVTYtgTnG1lju8EnzIAJMfEprTLuUhMJYPXzWR8v1bu/s1600-h/bc+film+fest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="99" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDyzp91zrnDwRzJcX3RkZWuyQSyQa7fl40h_OJ-dcXMw16JrKiBTxakEN-SS66Ghq0mUyEiUxUtXgGmTbaLmWEE2BHlqDkvt2ltYVTYtgTnG1lju8EnzIAJMfEprTLuUhMJYPXzWR8v1bu/s640/bc+film+fest.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
We’ve just announced our film fest for this year: It will be Friday, March 5th at McMenamins Old St. Francis School, with doors opening at 7:00 pm and the show starting at 7:30 pm. Admission is just $5.00 and tickets can be purchased at the door. Come early to secure your seats as seating is limited and last year’s festival did sell out. (You can check McMenamins site <a href="http://www.mcmenamins.com/index.php?loc=98&category=Location%20Homepage%20">here</a> but as of this writing it doesn’t look like we’re on the calendar yet.)<br />
<br />
The Backcountry Film Festival is organized by our friends at the <a href="http://www.winterwildlands.org/index.php">Winter Wildlands Alliance</a>. This year, festival attendees will vicariously surf the snow with a Japanese calligrapher, test extreme snow conditions in Vermont and ski a brief but majestic winter in Australia.<br />
<br />
Once again, we’ll have a raffle with really fantastic stuff donated by some big brands and local businesses. For this, we’re extremely grateful. Be sure to check out what these great businesses have to offer.<br />
<br />
Hope to see you there. And as always, think snow!Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3112408713969355722.post-56959040704901530392008-11-23T19:32:00.000-08:002010-03-04T10:19:41.462-08:00Sponsor Shout-Out<div style="color: black;">This year’s Backcountry Film Fest is made possible in part thanks to generous donations from our sponsors. With their contributions, we’ve got great stuff giveaways and raffle prizes. Be sure to show them some love.</div><br />
<a href="http://www.camelbak.com/">Camelbak</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.fleetfeetbend.com/">Fleet Feet </a>/ Pandora’s Backpack<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.kebaba.com/">Kebaba </a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.nau.com/">Nau</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.ospreypacks.com/">Osprey Packs</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.offpistemag.com/">Off-Piste Magazine</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://pinemountainsports.com/">Pine Mountain Sports</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.pizzamondobend.com/">Pizza Mondo </a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://thumpcoffee.com/">Thump Coffee</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.ruffwear.com/">Ruff Wear </a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3112408713969355722.post-35445216753885205332008-11-22T15:28:00.000-08:002010-01-06T15:32:42.547-08:00Skinning Mt. BachelorAs many of you may be aware, Mt. Bachelor is in the process of implementing a new uphill travel policy within the boundaries of the resort. As of this writing, details of that policy are still being finalized, so we’ll refrain from making any specific comments at this time. <br />
<br />
As an organization, the Bend Backcountry Alliance has no official position on these changes. While we obviously want to protect accessible touring terrain whenever possible, we feel that this situation is a bit out of the scope of our efforts. For one thing, we’re focused on undeveloped public land and, quite honestly, we have our hands full with this mission alone. Second, ensuring the safety of all users is one of our core tenets. Mt. Bachelor’s decision to change its policy is based on safety concerns. The use of winch cats, avalanche control work (including the acquisition of an Avalauncher), and highly variable grooming schedules and patterns all contribute to Bachelor’s safety considerations. <br />
<br />
Until Mt. Bachelor implements its new policy, the only uphill travel currently allowed on the Mountain is access to the Cone using the far edge of the Leeway run. To stay abreast of policy updates, visit the uphill access page on <a href="http://www.mtbachelor.com/winter/services/safety_policies/uphill_access/index.html">Mt. Bachelor’s site</a>. You’ll also find updates on their <a href="http://www.facebook.com/mtbachelor?ref=nf#/mtbachelor?v=app_2347471856&ref=nf">Facebook page</a>.<br />
<br />
Mt. Bachelor can be a great asset in our overall mission to protect accessible terrain near Bend. We strongly encourage everyone to help set a good example for all backcountry skiers and riders. If you’d like to voice your opinion on Bachelor’s policy, please share your input with the Mountain directly.<br />
<br />
As always, if you want to improve accessible terrain options in the area, help us support non-motorized protection for Tumalo and the Dutchman Flat area by encouraging your friends to support Bend Backcountry Alliance, and by submitting comments when we post an Action Alert.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3112408713969355722.post-18111035958992301152008-11-21T15:12:00.000-08:002009-10-05T15:19:05.307-07:00A hole in the forest.Over the past several months, we’ve had numerous conversations and meetings with the Forest Service. Hopefully, we’ve helped the agency better understand the needs of non-motorized winter backcountry users.<br /><br />But despite these talks, we’ve been unable to get a non-motorized initiative into the formal bureaucratic pipeline. In other words, we don’t officially exist.<br /><br />The Forest Service keeps telling us that they can’t formally consider the needs of non-motorized users without an overall forest plan, a Winter Travel Management Plan. That’s where the hole in their logic appears. Because in fact, they’ve recently made changes without a master plan:<br /><br />• Expansion of parking at Meissner Sno-Park<br />• Development of snow play and dog-friendly areas at Wanoga Sno-Park<br /><br />And in the near future, the following changes are proposed (again, without an overall plan):<br /><br />• The addition of a large motorized staging area (Kapka Sno-Park)<br />• Proposed closure of Dutchman Flat to motorized off-loading during the core winter season<br />• The addition of a dog-friendly ski trail between Meissner and Swampy Lake Sno-Parks<br />• Consideration of a backcountry hut system on the edge of the Three Sisters Wilderness<br /><br />If the Forest Service has been able to complete projects–and bring new initiatives to the table–without the benefit of a larger strategy, why aren’t the requests of backcountry users being given the same consideration? We’ve yet to receive an answer that can fill the big hole in this logic.<br /><br />As always, thanks for your patience and support. We’ll keep representing people for powder.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3112408713969355722.post-4283912683327676662008-11-20T13:24:00.000-08:002009-05-27T13:31:03.163-07:00Rules are made to be broken–by snowmobilers anyway.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbpRooU5PBKfVtimAyxd4VG0AcH9915cJQfwH-ir8KNZXfSTDIERTBijNS0NC2H5n0n8h4QlWOzOBqgmy0Gm2PYtvTAEk6IQztPYVMgaUu9RAdmfsYtdEUqyfwLXjoubr2ysnfUTbOYnGF/s1600-h/Dutchman+Flat+closure.jpg"></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB3Pvz-8jPp_eG14aC9zDVFvQDxXwXm0CnS2XxgdpRRCIn5HHU_Y10dYNsQKr4SqRkxwig4PNm3oekAkt68Rbd3el2-G3tqce-HgJfFFj9zQ2v5c3kxBOmOZNEYkHxlVPgCGGf32rexUzq/s1600-h/MemDayDutchmanCampout.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><br /></span><img style="text-decoration: underline;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB3Pvz-8jPp_eG14aC9zDVFvQDxXwXm0CnS2XxgdpRRCIn5HHU_Y10dYNsQKr4SqRkxwig4PNm3oekAkt68Rbd3el2-G3tqce-HgJfFFj9zQ2v5c3kxBOmOZNEYkHxlVPgCGGf32rexUzq/s400/MemDayDutchmanCampout.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340602662249559314" /></a><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi- mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latinfont-family:Calibri;font-size:10.0pt;">This past Memorial Day weekend saw another annual campout at Dutchman Flat by a group of out-of-town snowmobilers. Although no camping is allowed at Dutchman Flat Sno-Park, the lot was packed full (actually overtaken) by over-nighting RVs, vehicles, trailers, and snowmobiles.<br /> <br />The photo was taken early Saturday morning, May 23, 2009, while most campers were still asleep. Both the Forest Service and Sheriff chose not to enforce the NO CAMPING regulation and ignore the parked trucks and trailers along the highway.<br /> <br />Of course, the weekend’s heavy motorized activity was noticeable all around Tumalo: Despite very clear signage delineating the non-motorized zone, the boundary was broken just about everywhere–in Dutchman Flat, at the summit of Tumalo, in the bowl of Tumalo, on Tumalo’s west ridge, and at the Bend watershed boundary.<br /> <br />What’s going on here?</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi- mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latinfont-family:Calibri;font-size:10.0pt;">What’s going on is that the Forest Service has chosen to turn a blind eye to this behavior. It’s just another example how they continue to give bias to motorized users, while failing to adequately account for the needs of other user groups.<br /> <br />What happened this past weekend isn’t anything new. But the Forest Service’s blatant disregard for national and local policy and lack of adequate management for diverse user groups has gone too far. It is time that the agency is held accountable for its actions (or lack of action). </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Calibri;font-size:48px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); font-family:Georgia;font-size:16px;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikvGBeQhOTx-DVW-iStknoTf-gW7Q4lOSKyG-aVh9sX_gDQWz7IFMp_YRTrbTV1Ib71ulyrK40KifzuP12PEjfuLSKA1g3t2QWn08DkiKHCDqcrEARlPP94fgNRWIEXOYMSzSnvaIhUWqC/s400/Tumalo+closure.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340603044164638210" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238);"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238);"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbpRooU5PBKfVtimAyxd4VG0AcH9915cJQfwH-ir8KNZXfSTDIERTBijNS0NC2H5n0n8h4QlWOzOBqgmy0Gm2PYtvTAEk6IQztPYVMgaUu9RAdmfsYtdEUqyfwLXjoubr2ysnfUTbOYnGF/s400/Dutchman+Flat+closure.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340603390075295762" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></p> <!--EndFragment-->Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3112408713969355722.post-4279142867985160092008-11-19T11:43:00.000-08:002009-02-22T11:58:39.462-08:00Boundaries? We don't need no stinkin' boundaries.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Cb-n4-ZtMTXGtVLvoRUDyPwa1gkoiLWBHPsv3C11ZyLG-Xy7RojJjrgss20OLwKDs66B6pQLYYpjmk5caNOdI8JezsIOPWy3VKA-Vg2MbiytN32qRaveE7U5qBK1qDHB7k3fzyJbTXFI/s1600-h/BoundaryBroken.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Cb-n4-ZtMTXGtVLvoRUDyPwa1gkoiLWBHPsv3C11ZyLG-Xy7RojJjrgss20OLwKDs66B6pQLYYpjmk5caNOdI8JezsIOPWy3VKA-Vg2MbiytN32qRaveE7U5qBK1qDHB7k3fzyJbTXFI/s400/BoundaryBroken.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5305713440498355858" border="0" /></a><br />We certainly don't need more proof that the current non-motorized boundary on Tumalo Mountain is ineffective, but on the weekend of February 15th, we got some. The non-motorized section of the bowl was tracked up by the morning. It's one thing to not see the signs, but to drive right past them is another.<br /><br />Again, the current boundary is hard to enforce and, even if you're not trying to break the law, sometimes hard to find. If we can't more clearly protect the non-motorized terrain, it will literally be overrun, especially if more snowmobiles are added to the Century Drive corridor.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3112408713969355722.post-81928955789814529172008-11-18T12:21:00.000-08:002009-02-18T13:00:11.485-08:00No more wilderness!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyGNSpFxqs5-qcQS6Mh4E1ScabG7uQrrgC8dMAAyT3IkeZdMv13CnodKk2ca_EIcib56EXomu6yN4K93O-YXtAGNACFz6R1vnG81niLcZQg2vvRpAn460y1J3p3fWxJTj-E2gQU38YWTS7/s1600-h/SAWS.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 59px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyGNSpFxqs5-qcQS6Mh4E1ScabG7uQrrgC8dMAAyT3IkeZdMv13CnodKk2ca_EIcib56EXomu6yN4K93O-YXtAGNACFz6R1vnG81niLcZQg2vvRpAn460y1J3p3fWxJTj-E2gQU38YWTS7/s400/SAWS.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304244468455460402" border="0" /></a><br />We've said it before, and we'll say it again: we've got nothing against snowmobiles or snowmobilers. That said, it's unfortunate that many snowmobile clubs and organizations take such a myopic view of other land users. Case in point: If you visit the home page for the <a style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);" href="http://www.snowmobile-alliance.org/index.htm">Snowmobile Alliance of Western States</a> (SAWS), you'll be presented with a crystal-clear synopsis of their stand on public lands: No more wilderness!!!<br /><br />In their words:<br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Do you know that we already have close to 106 million acres of Wilderness in the United States as of today? And there are plans to increase this substantially? </span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;" >SAWS is concerned and does not support ANY new wilderness proposal</span><br /><br />Keep in mind that these groups are quick to call people who have different values "extremists" (in the case of SAWS, those representing another view are termed "extreme preservationists").<br /><br />But is there anything more extreme than to than to take such a short-sighted, narrow view of land use?<br /><br />What about potential lands that lack suitable terrain or snowfall for snowmobiling? Or lands that provide ecosystem support to wildlife and game–are there not snowmobilers who also are also hunters? Or lands that provide quiet places to hike and camp (surely there must be some snowmobilers who also enjoy traveling on foot)?<br /><br />Just something to think about next time you're called an "extremist."Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3112408713969355722.post-59771837276398766732008-11-17T20:12:00.000-08:002009-01-29T20:17:58.162-08:00The 10% ProblemIf you wondering if your voice matters, or if any of this is even necessary, here's something to think about:<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">According to USFS National Visitor Use Monitoring data, annual cross country ski and snowshoe visits outnumber snowmobile visits by nearly three times on the Deschutes-Ochoco National Forest yet</span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"> less than 10 percent of total forest acreage–including designated Wilderness–is protected for non-motorized winter use.</span><br /><br />The situation is out of balance. It's time to restore some solitude to the wild lands.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3112408713969355722.post-58438355087151328332008-11-16T08:57:00.000-08:002009-01-29T20:11:37.363-08:00Film Fest sells out!We had a fantastic turnout last night for our collection of backcountry films–in fact, we sold out the room at the McMenamins. If you weren't able to get in, we're sorry we couldn't accommodate you. But stay tuned for more events in the future.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Again, we want to thank all our sponsors for their support–especially for sticking with us after receiving threats from members of the snowmobile community. </span>Yes, this is just another example of why there's a need for better policies managing motorized activities in the Century Drive corridor. If this is how some snowmobilers behave toward our local businesses, imagine what they're like out in the woods when there's no law enforcement around.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3112408713969355722.post-48917572602137409892008-11-15T18:28:00.000-08:002009-01-24T18:31:19.219-08:00Show our sponsors some love.As a result of their support, a few of our sponsors have received negative letters from members of the snowmobile community–even threats of boycotting their businesses.<br /><br />We want be clear on the viewpoints of our sponsors. Regardless of their stance on any particular issue, our sponsors are supporting the right of our members to have a fair and equal voice in the community. We expect nothing more from them, and we respect their individual opinions.<br /><br />In essence, our sponsors are simply supporters of the democratic process. And for that, we’re extremely grateful. If you can, please make sure they feel a little local love.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3112408713969355722.post-29145260645050428032008-11-14T16:03:00.000-08:002009-01-24T08:56:03.315-08:00Great progress on Kapka comments.First, thanks to everyone who has already sent their comments to the Forest Service regarding the proposed Kapka Butte Sno-Park. We've had a great response so far. The Bend community is clearly expressing a need for improved forest management.<br /><br />We believe that the development of additional accommodations for motorized users without appropriate and equal accommodations for non-motorized users would constitute a failure to adequately serve the public. Furthermore, it needs to be made clear to the Forest Service that adding non-motorized trails in such close proximity to high-traffic motorized trails and a large motorized staging area does not count as fair accommodation. The two user groups desire different things and cannot be placed in the same area. Non-motorized users desire quiet, clean air, and safe places to travel. These needs are in no way met by any portion of the Kapka proposal.<br /><br />If you haven't commented yet, there's still time. And we hope to see you at the Film Fest on the 27th.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3112408713969355722.post-83374622055176214052008-11-13T08:06:00.000-08:002008-11-13T08:14:01.813-08:00Hand CutFresh out of college, producer/director Nick Waggoner and his crew decided to make a ski film. The result is <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><a href="http://www.sweetgrass-productions.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Ha</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">nd Cu</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">t</span></span></a></span>, a thoughtful, reflective alternative to the heavy testosterone dose of most ski flicks–and one that belies the youth of its creators. But what makes <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Hand Cut</span> special is that almost all of the terrain in the film was accessed by human power. Thanks Nick for bringing your film to Bend, and for showing what's possible with a little sweat and muscle.<div><br /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 179px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjafKWzLGe97J21y9duPACWUqTYcz1TG5JfkTWve1_PPUuM65RRpA6rXdF-mz_zQOuEs652jsUzm2QeQMc4XMW3LsH0A-VEpCs3w45LQaFcpk-JcjW8Pentawx9kHgGMDVoa7pHXSWTaP3e/s320/HandCut.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268172962889456514" /><div><br /></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3112408713969355722.post-73912644074825151342008-11-12T09:04:00.000-08:002010-02-24T19:40:49.337-08:00Tumalo Backcountry Recreation Zone<div style="color: black;">Tumalo Mountain is Bend's most accessible backcountry terrain and provides accessible skiing and snowshoeing opportunities for many users in our area. The proposed Recreation Zone creates a safe, quiet non-motorized area for non-motorized winter backcountry users. The zone is outlined in <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">red</span> on the map below. You can also <a href="http://winterwildlands.org/grassroots/tumalo_map.pdf"><span class="Apple-style-span">download</span></a> this map. Below the map you'll find details on the proposal.</div><br />
<div><br />
</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5CljaG1QwteERUubzg_4o_agejDjEwmlTzqptCk6GUkRQMn8wyVTT7pdEjncy-ZiArHzsX4fbHfc5mVHu9lgDhZHVfnA1hvHVTOVQoeeTvDBPwq3dxV64KNJ5ocMb9sRN6EJg2lIpDqaL/s1600-h/tumalo_brz_map.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272977001024003394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5CljaG1QwteERUubzg_4o_agejDjEwmlTzqptCk6GUkRQMn8wyVTT7pdEjncy-ZiArHzsX4fbHfc5mVHu9lgDhZHVfnA1hvHVTOVQoeeTvDBPwq3dxV64KNJ5ocMb9sRN6EJg2lIpDqaL/s400/tumalo_brz_map.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 309px;" /></a></div><div><div><div><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The TUMALO BACKOUNTRY RECREATION ZONE Proposal<br />
<br />
Presented to Deschutes National Forest Supervisor John Allen on May 8th, 2008<br />
<br />
Some winter recreationists (snowmobilers, dog sledders, and skate skiers for example) require marked trail systems, informational kiosks, ready-made maps, warming huts, groomed trails, and lodges. Backcountry skiers, snowboarders, and snowshoers however, neither require, nor desire, such amenities. Instead, they seek the naturalness, solitude, challenge and inspiration that is an integral part of the unaltered and non-motorized landscape.<br />
<br />
Although the Three Sisters Wilderness can provide those values, the difficulty in traveling the distance limits wintertime access. Thus, as the Forest Service works to improve recreation opportunities for user groups requiring developed sites and trails in the Century Drive corridor, it is appropriate to also improve opportunities for those desiring undeveloped terrain.<br />
<br />
Only by addressing current and projected user conflict can the Forest Service legally pursue an increase in snowmobile parking capacity. It is suggested the following action be implemented in conjunction with the forthcoming Kapka Butte Snopark proposal:<br />
<br />
Create a defined and defensible zone of undeveloped non-motorized recreation encompassing Tumalo Mountain. By utilizing Snowmobile Trail 5, Trail 6 and Trail 8 as a corridor and boundary, and decommissioning Trail 7, a contiguous non-motorized zone is established. The management issues associated with the existing checkerboard pattern of motorized/non-motorized areas would be eliminated. The miles of signage (requiring an inordinate amount of maintenance) that currently weaves through the trees, ridges, and meadows would no longer be necessary. Instead, the obvious boundary of the snowmobile trails could be easily posted, maintained, and enforced. Forest Service manpower that is now applied towards posting the Dutchman corridor, the Bend Watershed, and Tumalo Mountain could then be redirected towards managing the influx of machines that the high- country will experience with the expansion of snowmobile parking capacity. Support for a new Snopark of equal or lesser size (measured in square footage) to the current Wanoga Snopark would be dependent upon full and effective mitigating action.<br />
<br />
Due to the proposed location of Kapka, snowmobile access to the high country would be a short direct route up Trail 6. Trail 5 would provide direct access to the alternate high country route provided by Trail 8. The value of Trail 7 is greatly diminished with the building of Kapka, for at that time Dutchman Snopark is scheduled to become a non-motorized Snopark.<br />
<br />
For the sake of public discussion this is a proposal to create the Tumalo Backcountry Recreation Zone. In reality, it is a simple byproduct of necessary actions required to manage an increase in snowmobile usage in the Century Drive corridor.</span></span></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3112408713969355722.post-72538632997943425062007-11-15T09:54:00.000-08:002009-11-15T09:56:14.829-08:00People for powder.We stand for free snow. For wind crust and corn and bottomless fluff. For untracked bowls. For sheltered glades. For turns earned with muscle, not machine. For silence broken only by breaking trail. For a chance to measure ourselves against the ungroomed, the unmarked, the unpredictable. We stand for snow on its own terms.<br />
<br />
As a community-based advocacy organization, we support quiet, human-powered winter recreation in Bend’s backcountry. We exist to promote access, etiquette, and safety through outreach, education, and collaboration. But we can’t do this alone. We need your voice. To preserve our independence, we must unite. To protect our solitude, we must join together. To enjoy silence, we must make noise.<br />
<br />
Whether you’re a backcountry powder hound, an adventurous cross-country skier, or a snowshoeing explorer, we’re all people for powder. Join us.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com