Lyle Launch: Wanted - Laundry Soap Bottles

forrest · Since 21 Jun 2005 4330 Posts Hood River Hick **CGKA Member**

Greetings, Lyle Launch Coordinator Here,

I'd like to request that everyone start using liquid laundry detergent. I need 18 bright orange or red large bottles for use in marking water obstacles at the Lyle launch. We need the 200 fluid ounce bottles or larger.

I counted 11 logs on the sandbar, 3 more out in the water upwind of the sandbar, and discovered a few logs while body dragging in the mouth of the klickitat.

We're not allowed to place buoys but according to the Sheriff we can place colored bottles to mark the obstacles.

This is a new year, and there are new logs and other tasty items out there below the water line. We all need to be careful and not count on the obstacles being completely marked.

-Forrest

Mark · Thu Mar 27, 08 12:34 pm

I have some I can bring. Can we move the logs?

forrest · Thu Mar 27, 08 12:57 pm

Well, the thing about Lyle is that the logs are well below the high water mark. They're not there because of a storm, or glacier outburst. I'm of the opinion that they're supposed to be there as it is part of the ecosystem. I think a better approach is to just mark them.

What do you guys think?

forrest · Thu Mar 27, 08 1:00 pm

Another approach would be to relocate them to the western most edge where all the read grass starts growing with their roots pointing west, fill in the void behind them with some rocks and sand and fortify the high water launch in the process of forming new salmon habitat like they're doing in some of the streams around PDX.

mschulz · Since 29 May 2007 530 Posts Reno, NV Addicted

I like the idea of moving them but it is going to depend on how big they are and how far they will have to go. the shallows will make it easier to get a group of guys around them and move them. I would be more than willing to help.

GorgeKite.com · Since 17 Mar 2008 226 Posts Hood River Stoked

I think its a great Idea to move or mark the logs. let me know.

forrest · Thu Mar 27, 08 2:10 pm

I'm glad you guys are stoked to help move them but marking them will have to do for now. The biggest problem at Lyle besides the hidden logs is the access and parking. Every time you cross the tracks you're committing a crime. Every time you park on the south side of the road you're attracting unwanted attention.

We're going to work towards establishing better parking and a trail under the bridges and down to the beach so there is no need to cross the tracks. Take Burlington Northern out of the equation and everything will be better.

Once we get that far then we'll start thinking about improving Lyle.

Bettyboarder · Thu Mar 27, 08 2:28 pm

I will start saving out bottles for you Very Happy

pdxmonkeyboy · Thu Mar 27, 08 2:43 pm

will gallon milk jugs work?

forrest · Thu Mar 27, 08 3:21 pm

You can't see them very well. Salmon love paint chips so paint won't work. They're low grade plastic as well, and the lids don't seal good enough.

Kraemer · Since 24 Apr 2006 1736 Posts Sky Pilot Unicorn Captain

wylieflyote · Thu Mar 27, 08 8:24 pm

Hi Forrest,
Thank You for taking this on. With regards to your "under the bridge" trail, I'm a bit confused. When I looked at this option last September, there was nothing but a shear cliff drop-off near the bridge pier for a trail location. How can we get a trail in there? Am I in the wrong spot?
I sure hope we can preserve this greatest of sites.
Kip

boredbrain · Since 16 Feb 2006 352 Posts Hood River Obsessed

kristina · Since 14 Mar 2007 27 Posts The Hood

I love Lyle for being undeveloped and uncluttered with all the signage, buoys people, etc. of the HR sandbar. The "logs at Lyle" play a big part in keeping it a nice, mellow local launch site.

forrest · Fri Mar 28, 08 10:53 am

I love this too Kristina. The logs give me something to ollie my skim board over, track my place on my upwind tacks, and mark out little areas of water that I can do tricks in knowing I can do them safely. I think I'd have a hard time feeling like I was doing the right thing in removing them. Thanks for letting me know.

The buoys will be placed. I need them to be there so that I can push myself and my riding and so everyone else can as well. It's hard to do a trick where you have to take your eyes off the water at Lyle currently. I will do my best to not make it look like clutter.

The Lyle sandbar is not the Hood River sandbar or Stevenson. I have to be very sensitive to the wishes of the people that ride and live there. I'd like to get in touch with more people that live/work/play in Lyle to get more opinions of what they foresee their future looking like in respect to this launch.

Kristina, I don't mean to pick on you, but you've given me a good chance to state my opinion.

I feel like people toss negativity towards the improvement efforts because they don't want more people to visit their secret stash. This is fine, no one likes a crowd, but it has to be balanced with the needs of the area. Tourism is very important in keeping the Gorge economy moving forward and will always be part of it. Tourism has been in this area since around 1896 when the Cooper Spur Hotel first opened.

I suspect this post is going to turn into a huge shit flinging fest. Remember this is just my opinion and you can vote me out of the CGKA next year. Smile

ircamocim · Since 10 Jul 2006 28 Posts

"I need them to be there so that I can push myself and my riding and so everyone else can as well. It's hard to do a trick where you have to take your eyes off the water at Lyle currently."

Everyone (including non kiteboarding tourists) get to look at a bunch of orange Tide bottles foating in the water so you dont have to go out into deep water to do tricks?

Everything has it's place, I am with Kristina; Lyle isnt the place for Tide bottles. Besides, what happens when they become detached?

forrest · Fri Mar 28, 08 11:28 am

Thanks for making the capitol I's in bold, I wrote it that way on purpose. Smile

I'm not going to cast my opinion on the word "we". I decided to take on this role for a reason and I have my interests too, which I have to balance of course.

That's a good point. Kiteboarders are not the only people down there but there is a good chance we're the majority that visits this location. There are some rock climbers down there (including me), the local kids swim and sunbath on the east side.

I'm sure we can come up with something that works for everyone.

I have been thinking about the issue of tide bottles coming loose and I'm sure with the right type of rope, type of knot, and sealant around the lid, this won't happen.