Email from OR SAWS rep about snowkiting

[kidwoo]

that might effect all 3 of the snowkiters

Dude those 3 guys on the planet (and the one guy who was thinking about getting into it but hasn't found a kite yet) are going to be pissed!


I wonder how the all terrain roller bladers are taking this.

 

[sailUT]

I'm a snowkiter and a sledneck,
I bought my sled to get better access to high elevation, better snow spots.
I love both sports.

One thing I feel I shouldpoint out, is kiteboarding, (water and snow)
has been dealing with bans since the inception of the sport.
All levels of government agencys don't know how to deal with the unknown,
thier SOLUTION.. ban them.
World wide, kiters have had to fight for access to spots.

so.. as some posters have said, "now they will know how we feel"
is not correct.

The only reason for not allowing kiters is someone doesn't want to see them.
There is no harm to anything that kiters can do.
Birds love to fly beside the kites, it does not not scare them.
Other animals see them as a big slow moving harmless objest in the sky.
Non kiters can't fathom this as possible.
but after kiting for 7 years around all kind of wildlife,
I guarantee I have never scared any animal, with my kite.

They just don't know, so they say """NO""""

The forest service in Utah sees kiters as a very eco friendly activity.
Wonder why the feds see it different?


-Marty

 

[grizzly]

What are those 'true intentions?'

From what I've seen mostly, it's just congressional pandering to a constituency that is largely urban, doesn't really even get out to most of the areas that get affected, but just think the word 'preservation' sounds good and should be implemented. Unfortunately wilderness designation is the simplest most well defined setup that's already in place so that's what gets thrown out there. As has been said over and over again, there needs to be an additional level of protection that stipulates no development but at the same time isn't so exclusionary to recreational users that have no or very little impact on the long term sustainability of the 'natural state'.

the true intentions are to keep people out of large secluded areas so that they can grow/cook their drugs with as little interference as possible. the bad part is they cause way more pollution than we ever could with a snowmobile.

 

[kidwoo]

the true intentions are to keep people out of large secluded areas so that they can grow/cook their drugs with as little interference as possible. the bad part is they cause way more pollution than we ever could with a snowmobile.

That and build space ships out of tin foil. Takes a lot of area for space ship construction. And foil is noisy.

Yes everyone who supports wilderness designation does it to grow drugs.




And build space ships.

 

[9fingerracing]

Anti development vs land access

Has anyone ever proposed a designation where there is still land access to all except the developers. Logging, mining, subdivisions, dude ranches, etc., etc., etc.
I would think that if you could designate land and preserve it from development without locking people out you would actually satisfy the worries of most people who love to be out there.

 

[RMKcowboy]

I'm a snowkiter and a sledneck,
I bought my sled to get better access to high elevation, better snow spots.
I love both sports.

One thing I feel I shouldpoint out, is kiteboarding, (water and snow)
has been dealing with bans since the inception of the sport.
All levels of government agencys don't know how to deal with the unknown,
thier SOLUTION.. ban them.
World wide, kiters have had to fight for access to spots.

so.. as some posters have said, "now they will know how we feel"
is not correct.

The only reason for not allowing kiters is someone doesn't want to see them.
There is no harm to anything that kiters can do.
Birds love to fly beside the kites, it does not not scare them.
Other animals see them as a big slow moving harmless objest in the sky.
Non kiters can't fathom this as possible.
but after kiting for 7 years around all kind of wildlife,
I guarantee I have never scared any animal, with my kite.

They just don't know, so they say """NO""""

The forest service in Utah sees kiters as a very eco friendly activity.
Wonder why the feds see it different?


-Marty

Marty, good info- thanks for sharing your perspective. Is kiting a sport that is gaining in popularity, decreasing, stagnant? I'm just curious... it would be good to have another user group, especially a non-motorized one, tooting the "no more wilderness" horn alongside the motorized users and fighting to keep public areas open to use.
BTW, the Forest Service is the feds
And to add to your comment about not scaring wildlife... even when participating in motorized recreation I have noticed many times that wildlife is not scared or intimidated by my machine or the sound it creates. Granted, I've never had a deer or elk run alongside my dirt bike or sled, but I have seen many of them casually watching me from a distance with no real indication of any fear or concern.

 

[sailUT]

Marty, good info- thanks for sharing your perspective. Is kiting a sport that is gaining in popularity, decreasing, stagnant? I'm just curious...
BTW, the Forest Service is the feds

Kiteboarding has very strong growth,
some claim the fastest growing "extreme" sport.

I guess I should have said "the other feds".....

Don't forget to sign this petition to allow kiteboarding in the Wilderness.



http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/Snowkite-Access-in-Jeopardy

-Marty

Big drifts area up Fairview Canyon,UT

 

[kidwoo]

And to add to your comment about not scaring wildlife... even when participating in motorized recreation I have noticed many times that wildlife is not scared or intimidated by my machine or the sound it creates. Granted, I've never had a deer or elk run alongside my dirt bike or sled, but I have seen many of them casually watching me from a distance with no real indication of any fear or concern.

Check this out. Something I'd never really heard stated before. And this is from a SKIER

I don't know if you all realize this, (hunters know the following) but after lots of research and experience I've come to learn that people on foot are also very disruptive to wildlife (compared to machinery). The assumption many make is that noise is the big thing that bothers animals. The fact is that noise is only part of the deal, and perhaps not that big a deal. What really bothers animals is the sense (through site, smell and hearing) that humans are within their threat zone, and slow moving people on foot can actually be harder on animals than a snowmobile putting on by (of course, a snowmobile crew ripping up the same hill for 5 hours straight is a different story). More, the visual of a human on foot is programmed into animals brains as a threat, while a moving vehicle is not. Cars hitting deer on roads is an example. If animals were so scared of noise, one would think deer would stay more away from roads and get hit less by cars. Not. Stop your car, get out, and the deer will run away. Drive by at 60mph and they'll frequently step in front of it as if it wasn't even there. Another example is when you go out elk spotting. Staying in your car and glassing from inside is much less spooky to elk then if you get out and stand up -- and I can speak from experience that they don't seem to care if the engine is running or not.

Post # 7
http://www.backcountryworld.com/showthread.php?t=843


Hey Marty: Thanks for chiming in. There's a decent sized group of kiteboarders/skiers around tahoe these days too. Pardon my obscurity joke I had a few kites given to me but I just couldn't get the ballz to use them around any serious terrain.

I can't get your link to that petition to work though. Try and repost it. I'll definitely sign it.

 

[RMKcowboy]

Check this out. Something I'd never really heard stated before. And this is from a SKIER

Post # 7
http://www.backcountryworld.com/showthread.php?t=843

Something I've known for years but good to see that the non-motorized crowd is slowly starting to realize that wildlife is NOT scared of the sound/presence of our machines most times.

 

[snowmobiler]

i just had a funny thought of sabo jumping off his sled at the wilderness line and chasing kites
around that big open field....priceless

 

[sailUT]

Hey Marty: Thanks for chiming in. There's a decent sized group of kiteboarders/skiers around tahoe these days too. Pardon my obscurity joke I had a few kites given to me but I just couldn't get the ballz to use them around any serious terrain.

I can't get your link to that petition to work though. Try and repost it. I'll definitely sign it.

I can take all the shet you can throw,
I don't get my feathers ruffled about much.

I reposted the link, try again...

i can see where wilderness would be the ultimate kite area ..... no sled tracks.
its kinda a longshot but part of me hopes you guys are allowed into the MY forbidden zone.

I personaly avoid sled tracked areas as much as possible,
plus, I ususlly kite on the windward side of the mtns,
but mostly sled on the leeward side of the mtns.
We don't see sleds at the spots we kite much,
other than just passing through,
or stopping to watch.

-Marty

Video of the best snowkiter,
French Snowboard Olympian,, Chasta

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZIGDQnYzxk

 

[kidwoo]

I can take all the shet you can throw,
I don't get my feathers ruffled about much.

I reposted the link, try again...

Thanks!

Signed.

 

[snowmobiler]

cool video.must be one heck of a rush flying around like that.

 

[MTdream]

I can take all the shet you can throw,
I don't get my feathers ruffled about much.

I reposted the link, try again...



I personaly avoid sled tracked areas as much as possible,
plus, I ususlly kite on the windward side of the mtns,
but mostly sled on the leeward side of the mtns.
We don't see sleds at the spots we kite much,
other than just passing through,
or stopping to watch.

-Marty

Video of the best snowkiter,
French Snowboard Olympian,, Chasta

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZIGDQnYzxk

THAT is cool!!!

 

[Oregongirl]

DANG!!!! That is some serious airtime!! I can't even imagine how it must feel going up a hill without a motor propelling you. WOW!

So Marty - are other rangers making an issue about snowkiting in Wilderness areas, or has the issue only been raised by the rangers here in Oregon?

 

[sailUT]

DANG!!!! That is some serious airtime!! I can't even imagine how it must feel going up a hill without a motor propelling you. WOW!

So Marty - are other rangers making an issue about snowkiting in Wilderness areas, or has the issue only been raised by the rangers here in Oregon?

I know people that have done all the right things communicating with the forest service, that could give you answers if you need.
I am not aware of issues in Utah with "Wilderness" use.
But I aslo don't know of any kiting in Wilderness areas in Utah, mainly kiting on Forest service land, or BLM.

Silly, but it is NOT legal to kiteboard on Lake Powell national recreation area.

If you need some solid answers, PM me, I'll get you with people in the know.

-Marty

 

[Bend Kite Crew]

We are Bend Kite Crew

Wow-
I liked reading all the posts!

Here is our spot! It is out of the hands of the Local FS and they are making the decision in Washington DC which will include the entire US. We are sled owners and need them to gain access to the best spots.


http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=tronolonetv&view=videos#play/favorites/7/W52QnnE0LxI

http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid6217795001?bclid=6161984001&bctid=8782153001

Thanks,
Bend Kite Crew

Feel free to email me with any questions!
timATbendkitecrewDOTcom

 

[Anylizer]

quote:
However, there are some airstrips within wilderness areas (several in the Frank Church) where you can legally land an aircraft.


this is a problem to begin with as it doesn't fit the criteria for a wilderness designation in the first place. I know it's already been done but the Dept. of Interior hasn't even followde their own guidlines.

Bunch of f*)%$ng crooks taking away our civil liberties.........

 

[Snorider]

so hopefully us sledders and kite guys can join and fight together. the more united we are the better chance we have.

and signed the petition.

 

[RMKcowboy]

quote:
However, there are some airstrips within wilderness areas (several in the Frank Church) where you can legally land an aircraft.


this is a problem to begin with as it doesn't fit the criteria for a wilderness designation in the first place. I know it's already been done but the Dept. of Interior hasn't even followde their own guidlines.

Bunch of f*)%$ng crooks taking away our civil liberties.........

FS is Dept. of Ag BTW...
not sure how or why a plane can land in wilderness legally, I'd have to do some searching.
Snorider- agreed, it would be good if we could work together to keep areas open to the public... as they should be!