Crow Update, June 6

Hello, this is John Kangas with the Crow Gliding Area Update for June 6th, 2010. This Update is about our meeting with the City of Boise this last week.

On Friday June 4th, a cordial and productive meeting was held at Boise City Hall. Representing the Idaho Hang Gliding Association was myself and Lisa Tate. As many folks know, Lisa is an active fund raiser for Idaho Hang Gliding who also serves as the President of the United States Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association. Representing the City was Jade Riley-Chief of Staff for Mayor Bieter, and Maryanne Jordan-President of the Boise City Council. Also in attendance was Jim Hall-Director of Boise Parks and Recreation.

The meeting began with City Council President Jordon asking us about the historic use of the site, along with questions about our frequency of activity, our season of use, and the number of folks that would use the area on any given day. We brought a number of aerial photographs that facilitated the discussion and enabled the parties to engage in a fluid discussion about the Crow Gliding Area. The discussion remained very positive.

This is one of the photos we shared at the meeting with areas of interest added for this update. One of the key points we stressed at the meeting was the Gliding Area's location near the existing homes and people. Our position has always been that our activity has very low impact. Here at the Crow, our silent activity is also an ideal buffer between the people and cars in the neighborhood, and the prime deer habitat located further away on Hammer Flats. A lot of folks who haven't been out to the Crow Gliding Area, are under the misconception that we are gliding deep into the flats, but this is not the case as we can see from this photo.

During the meeting we were asked about our historic use of the ridge road to access launch. We shared that in over 35 years of gliding at the Crow, some of the previous owners allowed our use of the ridge road while others have asked us to not use it. Most folks that have flown the Crow lately have carried their gliders up the hill. Not too much of a problem for the lighter gliders with able bodied flyers, or if we have a friend to help carry the glider, but it is definitely a restriction for those folks with heavier gliders or those folks with disabilities or those folks getting along in age. Not withstanding our future use of the road, we expressed our sense that the ridge road should always remain in place as a fire break and for fire fighting access in case of a dangerous brush fire.

Speaking of brush, a question about rehabilitation of the native plants and its effects on our gliding was asked. We stated that of the two general types of gliders that we fly, the lighter Paragliders with their fine lines would be most effected by brush and that the preferred surface conditions were those having a natural grass surface with no rocks. This is one of the features that makes the Crow such a lovely hill. We shared our feelings that given the hot and dry dessert and the hot SW facing aspect of the Crow, it would be difficult to establish native brush on the hill without irrigation. An area void of brush next to the homes also makes a great deal of sense in regards to fire safety. Hopefully, all of this will be considered when the City Planners roll up their sleeves and really look at this property, its location, and establish long term priorities and viability.

During the meeting we once again emphasized our desire to partner with the City at the Crow Gliding Area. For example, we discussed the old house that is visible next to the Highland Valley Road. We can see it in the picture next to the trees just above the road. More than likely this house will need to be razed and we volunteered our organization in the cleanup. We would also encourage the City Park Planners to take a close look at this area as a possible parking and waiting area under the cover of those old trees. Shade is a wonderful thing in the desert when waiting for friends or just enjoying a lovely summer evening listening to the wind and the birds while watching gliders above the Crow.

Gliders getting ready above Missoula, Montana at Mt Sentinel. They fly on University property yet access the top of the ridge using a Forest Service road.

Before the meeting ended we were tasked with providing the City with some of our other use agreements in the state and the region. Currently we are researching our files and also corresponding with other gliding groups to provide these items to the city. For example, the Missoula flyers have a working agreement with the U.S. Forrest Service that allows them to transport their gliders up a Forrest Service maintenance road that is otherwise closed to vehicular traffic. The agreement requires a permit that must be carried by the flyers using the road and it seems very reasonable. We are currently gathering the information requested and we will be forwarding it on to the City Council President over the next few days.

We are very hopeful that our dialog with the City will continue, and that much like the communities of Missoula and Salt Lake, we can all be proud of our very own gliding hill in Boise. Stay tuned for further developments.

Thanks to everyone for all of your letters and calls of support,

Blaine, Lisa, Patrick, Aaron, and John

Crow Update

Hello, this is John Kangas with a Crow Gliding Area update for June 2nd, 2010. Thus update is about public records we have attained, current news about the Crow Gliding Area, and a meeting scheduled later this week with the City.

As mentioned in our last update, we are exercising our rights to gain access to public records. Regretfully, we are not liking what we are seeing. We never completely understood why our Park and Recreation folks never moved forward after our initial intro meeting. This last week we received material that shows that Boise was planning on sale of the property to Fish and Game long before Boise even owned it. In other words, they were just going to buy and sale the property on behalf of Fish and Game. The City just never shared that detail with us. This is probably why Park and Recreation left us in limbo.

Contained in the information we attained, is a draft memorandum of understanding that shows that the City and Fish and Game were planning a interim management plan that would not allow most outdoor recreational activities on the property. Fish and Game only estimated $2500 dollars a year to manage the property. It looks like that in order to meet that low estimate, anything other than walking was going to be prohibited. This would include Bicycling and Horses. Off leash dogs were also going to be prohibited on the property. In the documents, Park and Recreation Director Jim Hall and Chairman of the Open Space Advisory Committee Chairman Chuck McDevitt indicated to the Fish and Game folks that our quiet Gliding should not be allowed. In stark contrast they then discussed use of short range weapons and fire arm safety at Hammer Flats. It seems clear that Fish and Game always wanted to preserve a hunting option for the property, and by using deer habitat as the "magic words" they could convince the city to limit other activities that would eventually burden their core mission statement (i.e. Growing and Harvesting game.)

We received a more positive note from Jeff Gildehaus a long time glider instructor and full time outdoorsman who flew the Crow Gliding Area for many years. Jeff says this about the Crow. "The fact that 35+ years of flying and the wildlife has been there all along speaks volumes about the compatibility."

Public pressure for the City to do the right thing and open "our land" to compatible use continues to grow. Most folks know in their hearts that we can have lovely deer habitat in areas that people can enjoy too. News channel 7 broadcast a story about the proposed sale to Fish and Game last week. http://www.ktvb.com/news/local/Boise-to-sell-700-acres-on-Hammer-Flat-to-Fish-and-Game-95063454.html

In the interview Mayor Bieter said..."Geographically, it's a pretty important area for hang gliding and we'll certainly work with all the parties as much as we can to accommodate that." The Mayor stated that hunting would not be allowed by the City as terms of the sale to Fish and Game. The story grew more interesting when the Governor of Idaho later said on talk radio that the State would not buy the property unless Hunting was allowed.

Here is an aerial shot of our hill looking NW. Because the Crow Gliding Area is on the city/people side of the Hammer Flats property, next to the existing homes in the area, it represents an ideal buffer and brush fire safety zone for all of the deer brush that Fish and Game plans on planting. It would also be an ideal area to locate a small parking area for our activity and other outdoor recreation going into the Hammer Flats area and up the Cobbs ridge to rivers trail.

This coming Friday, the City has scheduled a meeting between the Idaho Hang Gliding Association and the Chief of Staff for the Mayor along with the President of the City Council. We look forward to the meeting. We know that our Gliding activity is compatible with almost any outdoor management plan, and any willing agency, as we have demonstrated all across our great nation. We believe that we can partner and we are ready to roll up our sleeves and put together a great plan.

Looks like we are making a difference folks. Remember, democracy will only work if we participate. Please continue to call and write to your elected officials. Please Call Mayor Biter's hotline at (208) 384-4404 and share with him how you feel. It looks like he may be sensitive to saving a great outdoor gliding legacy as he works in "Making Boise the most livable city in the country."

Keep good thoughts about saving the Crow Gliding Area, we will see what the Mayor's Office has to say on Friday.

Blaine, Lisa, Patrick, Aaron, and John,

Crow Flying Site Overview

Incredible Glass off at the Crow last night (Saturday)

Crow Flying Area from Aaron Beck on Vimeo.

and an awesome day of boating around the Boise Valley in go-anywhere-you-want conditions on Sunday at 8th Street.

"The whole valley is lifting." -Mark D.

Congrats to Lewer for his first successful thermal flight.

Finally allowed a voice?

"Geographically, it (the Crow Gliding Area) is a pretty important area for Hang Gliding. We'll certainly work with all the parties as much as we can to accomodate that (access)."
"We'll work with them with access as much as is appropriate..."
--Boise Mayor Dave Bieter, May 27 2010. Channel 7 news at six on air interview.

Not quite yet a sigh of relief, but it sounds as if we might finally have an opportunity to sit down, speak with and engage with the City of Boise.

Be ever positive with one another and everyone else who is a non-flyer.

We pilots know that we participate in a non-motorized, open space and geographically dependent activity that is compatible with the City of Boise's desires. Through first hand experience at the Crow when vultures join us at the ridge, or red-tails hook up with us in a thermal or when deer or antelope pay us no more mind than a skyward glance then turn back to grazing on bunch-grasses we know that there is no substantiated reason to exclude us from the air.

What a wonderful world and time we live in - when we humans can soar wing-tip to wing-tip with the "real" pilots of the world.

Still, nothing is known. Things can change daily. Hold together. Hold the high ground. Be a positive force in the world.

A local blogger is picking up the Levy Fund/Hammer Flat/Crow Flying Area questions.

Crow Flying Area Update, May 21, 2010

Hello, this is the Crow Gliding Area update for May 21st, 2010.

Blaine Perkins about to land after a beautiful evening flight at the Crow Gliding Area.

Our team has been very busy this week. Today we sent Public Record Requests to both the City of Boise and Idaho Fish and Game regarding their closed door meetings. They should receive the requests on Monday, and under State law they will have 3 days to respond.

Also today, we had most of our story published online at the Boise Weekly. http://bit.ly/aEyBcV

Last week, we had an article published in the Idaho Statesman, both in print and online.http://www.idahostatesman.com/2010/05/13/1190641/will-hammer-flat-stay-locked-up.html The day the Statesman article came out the paper ran an online poll. With 650 responses in just one day, twice as many readers felt that the property should remain open for recreation compared to those who felt the property should be locked up for deer only.

All outdoor groups in Boise need to be made aware of these articles. We need to expand everyone's understanding of this emerging situation. Attached at the bottom of this update is our commentary which can be published by any bloggers who wish to share the story with any groups, facebook, etc.

Keep the letters and phone calls going in to our elected representatives. They work for us and not the other way around.

Thanks,

Blaine, Lisa, Patrick, Aaron, and John.

.....................................................................................................................

Are we being hammered at Hammer Flats?

Back in 2001 Boise voters passed a $10 million dollar open space serial levy to do five specific things. By statute, serial levies must do that which they say they will do. When we voted, our ballots stated that "approved levy funds will: Protect water quality; Preserve wildlife habitat; Provide increased recreational areas for walking, biking, and other outdoor activities; Limit overdevelopment and traffic; and Protect natural vegetation that prevents mudflows and washouts."

This spring, Boise spent the last $4 million dollars of our trust fund buying the 700 acre Hammer Flats property including the Crow Gliding Area just above the Crow Inn. Immediately and without any public meetings or input, the City announced that Hammer Flats would be managed by IDFG (Idaho Department of Fish and Game.) One IDFG manager was then quoted saying this about Hammer Flats "if people are thinking in terms of additional recreational opportunities, they're probably going to be disappointed." Some reports stated that no new trails and roads would be built. Other reports indicated that even existing roads and trails could be closed. One thing is for certain, our expectations and our open space is being spun by Boise City and the IDFG.

The Fish and Game mission statement reads "All wildlife.. shall be preserved, protected, perpetuated, and managed. for. continued supplies of such wildlife for hunting, fishing and trapping." In other words, IDFG grows fish and animals so that they can be harvested. Nothing is said about managing people and outdoor activities.

What we don't know; Why are Boise hikers, runners, bicyclists, hang gliders, climbers, equestrians, dog owners, and other outdoor enthusiasts are being ignored by the City in favor of IDFG and their mission statement to grow and harvest animals? Why is Hammer Flats not being integrated into the Boise Park and Recreation system where its many uses including winter habitat can be balanced? Just who in Boise City is making the decisions to ignore the citizens, and the letter and intent of the serial levy?

What we know: The final half of our Boise open space trust fund is now being earmarked to benefit the IDFG. Private meetings are now being held between IDFG and Boise City. Outdoor user groups have not been contacted by Boise City, including those who have expressed a desire to utilize the open space at Hammer Flats. No public meetings have occurred. The first time "we the people" will have an opportunity to comment "on the deal" will be when the City Council votes on the matter after IDFG and Boise City finish their private meetings. IDFG has already locked the gates to our land and has posted their signs prior to any agreement. IDFG will use No Trespassing Laws to enforce "their" lands.

John Kangas,

Lifetime Boise Resident and

Spokesperson - Idaho Hang Gliding Association

Saturday May, 15

I had wanted to head out to Squaw Butte, but couldn't recruit anyone else to go flying so I took care of some morning obligations then hiked 8th Street alone. I got there about 45 minutes late. The sky was grey North towards Bogus, but not menacing. I hurried to launch before clouds grew too much and shut things down. Had a heck of a time climbing out, but finally did climb out of the 8th st. launch for the first time. I was sans GPS, but by eyeball I got even with the top of bogus (about 7,300) a couple times - I'm guessing around 3,000 below base.

Look at the morning sounding from the Boise airport. See what happens somewhere between 7 and 8 thousand?

Wind direction changes 180 degrees. Never could get any higher and things seems disorganized. Now, I had failed to note this sheer before heading out so I wasn't looking for it or excuses and it is only a net difference of a few knots. Is that wind direction change really what kept me from climbing higher? Does it really make that much of a difference? Or is it just my inexperience and lame flying. Someone with more experience have a strong opinion?

Notice anything else out of sorts? No inversion in the Boise Valley. When does that ever happen?

I really wanted to go somewhere (maybe the crow) so I pointed things south working the ridge road, tree pockets and the terrain a few times out in front. Pushed bar across wide open spaces as clouds covered the ridge line where I had shot images of Monty kiting this winter. Crossed Rocky Canyon Road, worked a nice little bowl, and hooked back onto the sunny ridge on my way south. Got jammed up just before Lucky Peak/Shaw Mountain Bird observatory/ radio towers. Surfed the ridge for about 10 passes, maintaining, hoping, but not quite able to make it over and around.

Doinky first flight of the year. Into the wind. Felt a little rusty. But super fun and exciting to be in the air again.

Landed out in no-man's-land south of Rocky Canyon road. Packed up, ate some food, hiked out to the road and found the biggest, fruitiest, most flavorful fruit roll up like rose hips I've ever eaten. Great treat.

Got a ride back to St. Luke's Hospital with Chris the hot-dog vendor who works the Egyptian Theatre corner downtown. Thank Chris. I still want to come check out your straw-bale and grain silo houses in Boise County.

Patrick picked me up in town. We returned to my truck, set a shuttle, kicked willow bushes in his tandem for an extended/barely maintaining sledder. Marshal drove up a little late, but gave us a ride back to our rig and Patrick uncovered his beer stash from a snowbank. Great day.

Statesman Article

The Idaho Statesman ran an article today and they have a poll (bottom right as of May 13 that asks: "Should land like Hammer Flat that was purchased with the Foothills levy money be closed to the public?" I voted "No." Cast your electronic vote to see the results.

Crow Flying Area Update, March 13, 2010

Hello, this is John Kangas with the Crow Update for May 13th, 2010.

This update is about the letters that have been sent to the Mayor of Boise and a call to action by everyone who loves The Crow Gliding Area.

Over the last few months we have all been very patient. As outlined in our previous update, we went to the city with a small team and presented our 35 year history of gliding at the Crow. We shared with the city our depth and expertise in partnering with government to manage gliding areas like the Crow. Regretfully, and as outlined in the correspondence with Mayor Beiter, our offer to enter the planning process with the city has been apparently ignored. Our information indicates that the City is going forward with a plan to give total management of Hammer Flats and the Crow Gliding Area to IDFG (Idaho Department of Fish and Game.) The IDFG has already locked the gates and put up signs which foreshadows their management style. We do not believe that IDFG will bring a balanced view to the management of the Crow Gliding Area or to Hammer Flats. We believe that their ultimate goal is create a wildlife management area and to basically lock everyone out.

It is now time to exercise our democratic and 1st am amendment rights. It is now time for all glider enthusiasts, friends, family, and other people who love the outdoors and who cherish open public access to join the process. It is time for all of us to share with our elected officials our feelings about being hammered at Hammer Flats.

Contact information is available below. Each and every day we encourage all gliding pilots, friends, and family to at least call one of our elected representatives or send them an email about how we feel about being locked out from our legacy Crow Gliding Area.

Be Prepared for a long flight

In our first free flight meeting we agreed that everyone needed to be patient and give a small group of volunteers time to meet with the city planners. We did this, but we have apparently encountered a city government that is unwilling to partner with us. It is now time for all of us to get to work. It is now time to write letters and to make phone calls. It is time to write letters to the editor. It is time to contact our city council and to express our passion about the Crow.

Do not believe for an instant that this work will end soon. One remembers a line from the classic flying movie High Road to China..."The Ox is slow but the earth is patient." We have been spoiled in dealing with private land owners who understand a hand shake agreement and the simple yet important things in life.. This ended when Boise purchased the property.

Our first goal is to get us a seat at the planning table. If we are first successful at getting a seat, you can bet that those with narrow vision in the city will try to burry us with problems including wildlife, safety, liability, etc. We are prepared for this.

The USHPA (United States Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association) and our base of national volunteers bring great experience in dealing with government agencies and their concerns. Our National Gliding History and record of success is strong. We have partnered with the national park service, the Forrest Service, the BLM, and other cities all across this great country. Clearly we know we can partner with the City of Boise and work together to continue a history of gliding at the Crow. Me must however be prepared and we can never grow weary and quit.

Press on, be courteous, and make some noise. What ever we do we can not fall into name calling traps on internet forums. Hold the high ground, set a good example, and we will save the Crow.

Today's Idaho Statesman had our first press. More will follow as this story touches a number of nerves in this Tea Party Age. http://www.idahostatesman.com/2010/05/13/1190641/will-hammer-flat-stay-locked-up.html There is a comment section at the end of the article. Remember to hold the high ground and sick to the facts. We have a strong position. Also click on the Statesman home page and participate in the poll at the bottom about land use at hammer flats. When we vote, we get to see the results which should please everyone who enjoys the great outdoors. Our strongest points are that we the people voted for more recreational opportunities not less, and that the cities top down closed door process with no public comment and participation is flawed.

Also, local pilot Dave Beig has invited folks to join the Facebook group "Unlock Hammer Flat".

To see more details and confirm this group invitation, follow the link below:
http://www.facebook.com/p.php?i=1469393207&k=Z2CUZWTYUYTF3FFCSGXYV5PQTVDFVU4M&oid=123557217670108

To register, go to:
http://www.facebook.com/p.php?i=1469393207&k=Z2CUZWTYUYTF3FFCSGXYV5PQTVDFVU4M&r

Bullet Points to share and to include in your correspondence. Please always be polite and friendly. When discussing our site please use the phrase The Crow Gliding Area

• The Crow Gliding Area is one of the things that make Boise a special place to live. Beautiful Gliders have graced the Skyline above the road to Lucky Peak for 35 years.
• Gliding silently is a symbol of adventure and freedom.
• The Crow Gliding Area is the finest little gliding hill in the area. Many Local Pilots learned to fly at the Crow. There is nothing like it in Boise. It can not be replaced.
• The Crow Gliding Area is just minutes away, much like the trail heads at 8th street. We can fly the Crow after work and even during our lunch hour without burning a lot of gas. Accessing other hills in the treasure valley require an hour of driving.
• We have flown the Crow for 35 years with private land ownership. Now the city buys the Crow with our open space trust money and we are locked out. Is this why people are holding tea parties?
• If city's like Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, Salt Lake, Missoula and Butte have Gliding Areas like the Crow then why not Boise?
• The City should ensure that the planning process about Hammer Flats and the Crow Gliding Area is open and transparent, rather than making deals with IDFG behind closed doors and without public input.
• The taxpayers of Boise did not buy property for IDFG and their special interest. We will not vote for another Levy and to raise our taxes if this is how our money is going to be managed.
• Open space planners need to do their job and find a way to balance issues and provide access for all outdoor enthusiast, including gliders, who enjoy open space.
• The Crow Gliding Area is on the western edge of the property and adjoins the existing homes in the area.
• The Crow Gliding Area helps to form an important buffer between the neighborhood and the preferred wildlife habitat located deeper into Hammer Flats and away from the people.
• Our activity has very low impact upon the land and is silent.

From the OFFICIAL SPECIAL ELECTION BALLOT passed by the voters of Boise.

SUMMARY

Proposed Open Space Protection Trust Fund would acquire open space and natural areas in the Boise Foothills. Approved levy funds will:

• Protect water quality;
• Preserve wildlife habitat;
• Provide increased recreational areas for walking, biking, and other outdoor activities;
• Limit overdevelopment and traffic, and
• Protect natural vegetation that prevents mudflows and washouts.

Buying open spaces for public use will balance private development in the Boise area.

Contact Info print this out, put it in you wallet or your purse and make a call or write a letter or a quick note to an elected official or park planner each day. Share this info with everyone who wants to help.

People We Elect

Mayor Dave Bieter mayor@cityofboise.org (208) 384-4422 or His 24 & 7 Hotline for comments, questions and concerns at (208) 384-4404

City Council Members Elaine Clegg eclegg@cityofboise.org David Eberle deberle@cityofboise.org Vern Bisterfeldt vbisterfeldt@cityofboise.org Alan Shealy ashealy@cityofboise.org TJ Thomson tjthomson@cityofboise.org 208-368-5867

People who work for us City Council Liaison -Maryanne Jordan mjordan@cityofboise.org 208-377-9636 For information about City Council Meetings Boise Parks and Recreation Director-Jim Hall bpr@cityofboise.org 208-384-4060 The Boss who answers to the Mayor. Foothills Open Space Manager- Julia Grant jgrant@cityofboise.org 208-514-3755 Her Job is to strike a Balance Between User Groups of our outdoor areas. Politely encourage her to do her job. Finally, if anyone encounters a tasty bit of intelligence, please forward it to j_kangas@msn.com or leave a message at 208-407-7174. Boise really is a small town. The Crow is worth saving. Make calls to each other with ideas. Make contacts, generate BUZZ, and forward information on to our team of volunteers. ................................................................. We will leave you with an important quote that Aaron Beck found and passes along: Ed Abby's quote, and the case for Alan Paylor's spring fling at King: One final paragraph of advice: do not burn yourselves out. Be as I am — a reluctant enthusiast... a part-time crusader, a half-hearted fanatic. Save the other half of yourselves and your lives for pleasure and adventure. It is not enough to fight for the land; it is even more important to enjoy it. While you can. While it’s still here. So get out there and hunt and fish and mess around with your friends, ramble out yonder and explore the forests, climb the mountains, bag the peaks, run the rivers, breathe deep of that yet sweet and lucid air, sit quietly for a while and contemplate the precious stillness, the lovely, mysterious, and awesome space. Enjoy yourselves, keep your brain in your head and your head firmly attached to the body, the body active and alive, and I promise you this much; I promise you this one sweet victory over our enemies, over those desk-bound men and women with their hearts in a safe deposit box, and their eyes hypnotized by desk calculators. I promise you this; You will outlive the bastards. Photo by Aaron Beck at the Crow Gliding Area Thanks, Blaine, Lisa, Patrick, Aaron, and John,

Open Letter To Mayor Beiter

Idaho Hang Gliding Association's Open Letter to Mayor Beiter.




April 27, 2010


David H. Bieter
Mayor, City of Boise

Dear Mr. Mayor,

My name is John Kangas. I am a life time resident of Boise, airline captain, aviation buff, aerial photographer, and outdoor enthusiast. A couple of years ago, I worked in the filming of an Outdoor Idaho program about Hang Gliding in Idaho. Perhaps you saw the program, and felt some of the passion of soaring in our fabulous State? Here is a link to the segment if you missed it. www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=1085337546075
If you ever have a chance to try soaring, whether in a Sailplane or a Hang Glider it is truly an experience you will never forget.

For the last 35 years, since their invention by NASA engineer Francis Rogallo, Hang Gliders have quietly graced the Boise skyline above a little foothill just north of the Crow Inn. Gliding enthusiasts in the valley call this hill "The Crow" and it is very dear to our hearts.







The Crow Hill is very close to our homes. We can fly in the evening after work. Many locals learned to fly at the Crow over the years as it has a near perfect slope, and faces NW into a gentle afternoon and evening breeze. There is a wide open landing area at the base of the hill. Often, folks in the local neighborhood sit in their yards and watch us. There is nothing like it near Boise. For those of us who love to experience "bird like flight" with the wind in our faces, or just watch the beautiful gliders, the Crow is one of the things that makes Boise a special place.

Since the early 70's we flew at the Crow with only a handshake agreement with the private owners. We were always respectful of their wishes, appreciative of their gift, and good stewards of their land. We always knew that development could close the Crow forever. We held our breath as development of the foothills moved closer. We enjoyed every moment as the years past. The most recent private owners met with us to discuss preserving open space in the development so our activity could continue.

Needless to say, we were thrilled when we learned of the City's purchase of the Hammer Flats property including the Crow Hill. We formed a small working group and met with BPR (Boise Parks and Recreation.) We came to the meeting with the President of the USHPA (United States Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association) representing 10,000 members. She is a remarkable and very talented Boise resident. We came to the meeting with the President of the Idaho Hang Glider Association representing 150 active members. He learned to fly at the Crow Hill. He is a lifetime Boise resident with a strong passion for Hang Gliding. I brought aerial photography, and experience in land use planning and surveying. We all came prepared to roll up our sleeves and to partner with our City in preserving a legacy open space gliding area.

During the introductory meeting with BPR and IDFG (Idaho Fish and Game) we shared the very low impact our sport has to the environment and our experiences with wildlife while soaring. Most of us have had hawks and eagles join up and fly with us. I shared a story about soaring above a grazing deer at Mt. Sentinel in Missoula that continued feeding completely undisturbed by my silent glider just a hundred feet overhead. I have also flown over elk and big horned sheep herds in Idaho that took no mind to my presence. We also communicated to the representatives that we had extensive expertise in our organizations, including wildlife biology, that could share information regarding our activity relative to deer and other wildlife behavior.



Official landing area below Mt Sentinel next to the University Golf Course in Missoula











At the meeting, we shared that our national organization has extensive experience with all types of agencies and municipalities. We partner the famous gliding site above Missoula at Mt. Sentinel with the Forrest Service and the University of Montana. This includes key access to a normally closed USFS access road to the top of the mountain. We fly in Yosemite National Park under a working agreement with the National Park Service. We have public gliding parks in Salt Lake City at Point of the Mountain, Famous Torrey Pines in San Diego, and even in a city park on a beach in Los Angeles. Since our basic need is only for open space and a hill facing into the wind, associated costs and infrastructure are always very low. Often they only amount to windsocks which we provide. Since our introductory meeting with BPR, we have been prepared to answer questions and provide follow-up information including details of our self regulation, and the extensive insurance provisions that we bring to official gliding sites.


My Son’s first flight at the Dockweiler Beach Hang Gliding Park in Los Angeles.







We waited patiently for follow up questions after the meeting, but regretfully the calls never came. When our group made inquiry, we were told that the management plan was being formulated interagency, between BPR and IDFG. We have since learned that a closed door meeting has already occurred and that we will probably not be allowed to fly at the Crow Hill. The IDFG has already locked us out and posted signs. This action is prior to any formal management agreement being reached. Meeting minutes from the closed door meeting have not been made available to us.







Mr. Mayor this seems almost surreal. Something is wrong. Does Idaho Fish and Game answer to the people of Boise or to outside interests? Where is the connection between authority and responsibility? No public hearings. No transparency. Just a closed door meeting in which some deal is made and locks and signs are put up. Our serial levy was not presented in this fashion. The official ballot said we were going to "preserve wildlife habitat" and "provide increased recreational areas." Nothing was said about locking out compatible uses.

Paraglider Sunset at The Crow






Perhaps in our enthusiasm of a fortuitous purchase, and our desire to minimize costs, we have overlooked basic principles. Hikers have a place to walk. Bikers have a place to ride. Lovely gliders should continue to fly down a little hill in a beautiful city called Boise.

Please look into this matter and contact me at your earliest convenience.

Sincerely,

Captain John Kangas
Proud Citizen of Boise, and member of the Idaho Hang Gliding Association and USHPA




----- Original Message -----
From: Mayor@cityofboise.org
To: JOHN A KANGAS ; Julia Grant
Sent: Tuesday, April 27, 2010 4:23 PM
Subject: J Kangas Hang Gliding at Hammer Flats "Crow Hill" 4/27/10

Dear John,
Thank you for your interest in the long-term management of Hammer Flat. I appreciate you voicing your concerns. Keeping the main reason we purchased the property in mind, protecting the property as wildlife habitat, Boise City has just begun to work with IDFG on the formal management agreement for the property. We have heard from a number of Hammer Flat neighbors and other interested parties why their particular recreational use should be allowed on Hammer Flat. I will ask Julia Grant, The Foothills Open Space Management Director to be sure to send you a copy of the agreement in a month or so once it is finalized along with a brief explanation on the thought process.
Sincerely,
David H. Bieter
Mayor






From: JOHN A KANGAS
To: David Bieter
Cc: Julia Grant ; Lisa Tate ; Blaine Perkins ; Jim Hall
Sent: Wednesday, May 12, 2010 3:35 PM
Subject: Re: J Kangas Hang Gliding at Hammer Flats "Crow Hill" 4/27/10

May 12th, 2010

An open letter to
David H. Bieter
Mayor, City of Boise

Thank you for your prompt reply about a plan for Hammer Flats and the Crow Gliding Area. It is the top down decision making policy that concerns us. Despite our offer of assistance from local, and national hang gliding organizations, we have not heard back from the folks who are making the decisions. One gets a sense that hang gliders and other outdoor enthusiasts are going to be excluded from the final plan. Thrown under the bus so to speak. We are hearing rumors that fast and quiet deals are being made that will basically lock everyone out. Hope we are wrong. Makes for a sad story. We have enjoyed the Crow Gliding Area for 35 years with private owners of the land. Boise buys it with our money and the citizens who voted for the levy are locked out. Perhaps this is why folks are holding tea parties.

Mr. Mayor, we know that good decisions do not begin with a solution, but rather in drawing deeply from a pool of options. Hammer Flats and the and the Crow Gliding Area has been purchased with serial levy funds that promised to do 5 important things. They are; protect water quality, preserve wildlife habitat, limit overdevelopment and traffic, protect natural vegetation, and provide increased recreational areas for walking, biking, and other outdoor activities.






In reading the ballot, we find the statement that "Approved levy funds will:" do the 5 listed items. We can not see that these 5 items are mutually exclusive. As in, the City will pick and choose and maybe only do one of these things with your money and exclude all other stated benefits. In retrospect, we do not recall anyone from the City stating, either prior to or after the election, that the money would be used to lock the people out, give short term control to IDFG (Idaho Department of Fish and Game), and then later perhaps sell the property to IDFG so they can open a special hunting area.

Mr. Mayor, "We the people" of Boise voted for a marvelous open space initiative that would balance many important outdoor values. We did not raise our taxes to buy property for the Idaho Department of Fish and Game and the special interest group that they serve. We are hearing that outdoor enthusiasts, who would be locked out from Hammer Flats and the Crow Gliding Area by IDFG, include neighbors, hikers, climbers, bicyclists, equestrians, and the hang gliders who have flown here for 35 years. Please stop the closed door discussions about a memorandum of understanding with IDFG until public input from all interested parties and a comprehensive and inclusive plan can be considered. Please consider the wishes of the people of Boise rather than the narrow focus and desires of an outside state agency.








As indicated in our previous correspondence, IDFG has locked the gates and posted signs. Prior to any public meetings and any formal agreement, we are now apparently "locked out" from the Crow Gliding Area and our open space. Mr. Mayor, we believe that the process and direction our City is taking regarding Hammer Flats and the Crow Gliding Area is violation of the letter and the intent of the Open Space Serial Levy. From this point forward, we respectfully request that business involving Hammer Flats and the Crow Gliding Area be conducted in an open, honest and transparent fashion, rather than in secret behind closed doors.

Sincerely,

John Kangas,
Spokesperson -Idaho Hang Gliding Association

cc Boise City Council, Foothills Conservation Advisory Committee, Boise Parks and Recreation Commissioners, Open Spaces and Trails Advisory Board, Jim Hall, Julia Grant, Blaine Perkins, Lisa Tate, Area Media Contacts, and others

Crow Inn/Cobb's Knob Access meeting

Pilot get together to discuss ideas about how to secure access for the flying community at Ben's Crow Inn/ Cobb's Knob ridge soaring site. Go.

Tuesday March 16
5:30 p.m.

Hyde Park Pub
1501 North 13th Street
Boise, ID 83702
United States
(208) 336-9260

What I hope happens at this meeting:

- that we can identify 2 people that we all mutually respect to act as our point pilots

- that those 2 individuals have the most access-issue experience of the group - (preferably with free flight access experience)

- that some of us (myself included) can put aside certain personal opinions and ideas that could hurt us as a whole

- that there is enough beer on tap

Boise City now owns The Crow ridge soaring site!

So so very excited!

Boise's Crow Inn ridge soaring site is now owned by the city of Boise! http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/idaho/news.newsmain/article/1/0/1621597/Local.News/Boise.Buys.Hammer.Flat Not to be developed into houses and strip malls



Aaron Beck Now that it is publicly owned and not slated for development do we pilots continue the status quo or should we look into options through the foundation for free flight? Utah pilots? People with experience? Ideas?
6 minutes ago ·

May 29

Friday Morning. Here is the information I have to work with:

XC-skies info:

XC-skies says that there is good lift potential and little wind at the top of usable lift, good.
Three day point forecast for Bogus. It looks like yesterday's point forecast in that the following day looks like better potential than today.
I still don't understand what all the lines mean on the skew-t chart:
Hmmm...potential OD? or scattered showers that we would be able to fly and deal with?
Dr. Jacks info:


General weather for today:



The local sky-god Mark Devries called a few minutes ago to get an update on our attempted flights yesterday. Chatting with Mark confirmed what I was guessing last night: the high pressure in the valley squelched any hope of climbing out.

I asked Mark if he would have gone to 8th st. or Bogus yesterday or today, "Absolutely not." I asked him what he looked at to know if the pressure was too high in the valley. Mark says that he doesn't look at anything, he just follows his gut instincts. "For this valley the forecasting tools often make it look like it will be a great day of flying. They are almost always wrong. It will show a great day and in reality all you get is a sledder. Other times the tools show an ok day and you can go all the way to base."

So the trick to understanding the soaring weather in the Boise Valley is simply 12+ years of flying and a gut instinct. "I look out the window and get a sense of how much brown junk is hanging over the Valley, and I look at what the clouds are doing at 10:00 am, I think about how much the valley cooled off the night before and how hot it is supposed to get today and make my decision based on that."

I asked Mark what he thought about getting out of the valley and heading to Idaho City when we have super super stable high pressure days in the valley. Mark's opinion is that if you are going to drive the 1.5 hours to Idaho City, and the hour to launch you may as well just take the whole day off and drive to King Mtn. Horseshoe Bend doesn't have a launch that is high enough to allow you to climb out either.

Then I asked about Bennett Mtn.

Mark went on about some info passed to him from Hang Glider pilot and owner of King Mtn. Gliders, Allen Paylor. "When Allen was working at the Mtn Home air-force base and we had high pressure stable conditions in Boise he would go launch Danskin late in the day (2 or 3 in the afternoon) and often made it all the way back to Mtn. Home."

Mark's theory is that the long rolling approach of foothills on the way to Danskin creates a barrier that separates the super stable high pressure Snake River Plain air mass from Danskin Lookout.

It only got down to 60 last night, which is warm for this time of year. Today looks similar to yesterday.

Danskin it is. I'm excited to fly a new site.

Danskin's 3-day point forecast:








RE-CAP and FLIGHT SUMMARY:

First off thanks Mark D. for chatting and sharing all the local theory/knowledge. Sharing info is fun and appreciated.

Tyler- Thanks a ton for driving retrieve, it's all you next time around.

My track log. This is a .kmz file that you can open with Google Earth.

Tyler and I left Boise at 12:15. The sky looked a little overcast, we were a bit worried that things would not be allowed to develop, or that it would suddenly overdevelop.

I've decided that there are two separate air masses in the immediate Snake River Plain. The air masses often mix between Micron Electronics and somewhere around the Simco Road Exit. On many occasions I have experienced gust fronts and sudden rain showers on this section of the freeway when returning or leaving Boise. Has anyone else experienced this as well? I would like to hear Kangus talk about the local air masses.
As we left town a high altitude N-S trending (what I would describe as a potential squall line) band of dark clouds with whisping sections stretched from the Snake River, north towards Idaho City. We continued driving to Danskin Lookout with our fingers crossed that this band of clouds would dissipate.

Looking N. to the Trinity Mtns and Prairie Idaho atop the basalt canyon of the S. Fork Boise River:

How many of us have flown from Trinity Lookout on Google Earth?:
Looking east from the Danskin Lookout. The rocky outcrop is in the South Facing bowl below the lookout and produced great lift yesterday.
The Drive to Danskin Lookout is further than I had expected, but beautiful this time of year with all the green-up, standing water, red-winged black birds, rocky outcrops, flowering bitterbrush, Lupine and Mule's Ear, and all the young newborn cattle. We even saw a G.B.H.

When we arrived at launch the sky to the south and west had completely cleared, cycles were light to non existant, the Trinity Mtns. were booming, the Owyhees were booming, and a big one was developing on the N. side of Bennet Mtn.

Looking N. to the Trinities. In the lower left hand corner you can see some cu's were popping to the N. and E. of Bogus Basin:

Tyler and I looked at maps, talked about roads, possible routes, retrieves, watched the sky, and we each left a deposit at the bank - bring your own camp cash.

Small clouds began to develop to the east and south of the lookout. Eventually clouds developed on the the transition zone from desert floor to rolling foot-hills. The clouds formed a loose street to the south of launch (well outside of glide) which trended E-W almost from Lucky Peak longitude to well E. of the Bennet Hills.

Looking east in the direction of Bennett Mtn. The dirt road in the image connects Highway 20 to the Cow Creek sportsman's access on the S. Fork of the Boise River. I heard that the fishing hasn't yet turned on there this year. Soon.

Looking N. across the river to Prairie, Idaho:
Clouds developed and dissipated, developed and dissipated. We witnessed no locals, and the cycles felt super super light and far between. We each felt that we have launched too early on too many occasions so we waited for things to develop further. We waited. We waited. We waited and finally we decided that we would simply take a sledder back to the car.

We laid out our wings, stood around on the hot rocky surface sweating ourselves thin and waited for a launchable cycle. We waited. We waited, and we waited.

We finally launched into a very light cycle at about 4:40 with an eye on overdevelopment in the Trinities and N. of Bennet Mtn.. The desert floor remained cloudless, slightly hazy, high pressure, obvious sink.

We launched towards the West. Tyler worked down a ridge line to the left of launch, had a great climb and tried to push west towards the smaller cloud streets setting up in a line towards Boise.

I launched turned right, found a couple bubbles that got me even with the lookout tower and allowed me to work back to the saddle to take advantage of cycles rolling up from the west face and also from the south facing bowl.

As Tyler left his thermal and pushed west looking for a second thermal he started to get low. He worked what he later described as disorganized lift coming off a rocky ridge and eventually landed near his car.

I climbed in steady, incredibly smooth, ample lift, drifting east and a bit south into what Mark later identified as the Danskin House thermal.

I climbed to about 12,000 with an eye on the growing clouds and especially on the patch of grey above my head. When I felt like I was about 1,500 below base I pointed towards the desert, away from the main lift and went half bar. I continued to climb at a slow rate (after I looked at my track log, I've reconsidered whether or not that was a slow rate of climb) until I got to the leading edge of the thermal when I hit some sudden up, enough to convince me to pull ears. I pulled ears flew with 3/4 bar to sinking tones and smooth air until I passed in front of my cloud.

My highest point was around 13,800, which turned out to be at least 1,000 below base.

I went on glide towards Mtn. Home, had a personal jet fly relatively close over head, and bubbled my way on bar to two more clouds. The clouds were in line with the desert floor/foot-hill transition.

The air remained relatively smooth for the entire flight. Once over the desert I pointed things more or less towards highway 20 and tried to find the sweet spot on the bar somewhere between half and full that gave me the best glide ratio.

During glide I was in quite a bit of sink, 250-500 feet per minute down, which I was perfectly happy with as I watched conditions begin to become less ideal as compared to when we had lauched. In the distance the Owyhees began to show virga, as did the Trinities to the North. High thick cirrus began to move in from the west, which I assumed could help slow and shut things down. I continued on glide in light wind conditions averaging between 35 and 45k/hr with glide ratios fluctuating between 2:1 and 11:1 and usually around 4:1

I got a bit cold for a while. Things warmed and were very pleasant at 8,000, things got warmer again around 7300, and downright hot at 6500 msl. I wished that my condom catheter order had arrived like yesterday. No pee-tube was a bummer.

I landed on the east side of highway 20 before the road turns up the basalt grade to Rattlesnake Junction.


Distance: 14.16 Nautical Miles
Max Height:13,800
Gain:7,110

Right on, Right on.

I think Mark is on the money with his analysis that the Bennett Foothills provide a buffer and transition zone between the Snake River stable air mass and everything to the North. The line of lift and transition zone was completely apparent.

I also think he is right in that on the weekend we should all be out there flying in the afternoon, and hanging out to see how well it glasses off in the evening. Why wouldn't it glass? It would be incredible. (I also think that if someone had a sled, this would be an incredible place to fly speed wings in the winter.)

The Boise pilots should be spending Friday and Saturday nights camping at Bennett Mtn withmtn. bikes, .22 rifles, some beer cans, some paragliders, some steaks, some bonfires, the kids, the girlfriends, the camper trailer. How much fun would that be? X-C during the day, glass offs in the evening, and steaks and beers before crashing out in the sleeping bag. Life really could be that good.

A couple things I took away from the day:
1. When the Boise valley is set up with it's super super stable air mass, get out of there and go fly Danskin.

2. Even if there is no cloud directly over head as soon as clouds start to bubble around Danskin, get in the air, it may be trickling into launch, but it is probably right on the money and going up out in front of launch, especially with clouds of obvious lift in other directions.

3. 5,000 feet might be a magic number for getting out of the super super stable Snake River Plain air mass. In flight Tyler and I both notice a different feel to the air around this elevation. The Danskin foothills are at about 4500.

4. Terrain can act as buffers between air masses, the South Fork of the Boise to the North of Danskin probably also helps things cool down at night relative to the non-cooling that happens at night on the Boise Front mtns.

5. Keep an eye on developing conditions. I am happy with my decision to leave lift and the clouds and head for the desert when I did. I hung out in the sink and landed with plenty of time before things committed themselves to nastiness. An hour and a half after I landed, as we ran the shuttle, lightning connected clouds and virga started to fall out.

6. The X-C potential seems HUGE from this site. Think about how many days you've seen things streeted up from Mtn. Home towards the east when driving between Twin and Boise. So far as I know all that has been done here is Eddy's climb and glide to Mtn. Home last year and this single climb and single glide this year. The Boise pilots should start connecting things and fly to Ketchum, Glenns Ferry and beyond. On a good day commit to the no-mans land of the Bennett hills and I bet you will make it through them.

7. We need to fly this site more often, find out if and how it glasses off, and someone needs to buy a snowmobile so we can speed fly here in the winter.

After dinner with Tyler in Boise I met another pilot/friend/photographer Thia Konig for the majority of the all female AC/DC tribute band Hell's Bells at the Knitting Factory. I arrived just as the lead guitarist was strip teasing down to her bra and mini-skirt - high energy, entertaining, TOUGH Chicks.

Anything else?