CrossWater ridge- Are you guys stupid or just ignorant?

[Stuart Caruk]

There's a quote I'm reminded of that says never attribute to malice that which should be attributed to stupidity but really guys… are you kidding me?

 

So let's be clear. We find a close in site with a paved road to launch and a quick turn around to several LZ options. We're invited to fly the South side whenever we want by the owner, who notes that once he has completed some geotech studies with the county we'll be able to clear a launch on the North side as well, which has even better LZ options.

 

Certain individuals jump the gun and preemptively clear the launch without permission which has caused issues with the County, since the trees were considered essential erosion control, and this has now become a serious issue. So the owner responds by erecting steel fence posts to block access to the launch while a resolution is worked out with the county and posts no trespassing, and particularly signs stating no hang or paragliding from the site. To eliminate issues the site was effectively closed until further notice until the geotech analysis and County inspections were complete. Is that not clear to anybody with half a brain that you shouldn't fly there?

 

SO WHY IN THE HELL WOULD YOU EVEN THINK ABOUT GOING OUT AND REMOVING THE FENCEPOSTS AND SIGNS SO YOU CAN FLY THERE!!!!! WHAT PART OF NO PARAGLIDING OR HANG GLIDING FLIGHTS ALLOWED DO YOU NOT UNDERSTAND?

 

LET'S GET THIS SIMPLE FACT CORRECT. UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE CROSSWATER RIDGE IS CLOSED BY THE LANDOWNER TO ANY PARAGLIDING OR HANG GLIDER FLIGHTS!

 

It would be an understatement to assume that the owner is anything but pissed. Eric has spent a lot of time, effort, and $$$ to buy his dream lot, where he can build his dream house and include paragliding from his backyard. He was kind enough to offer to allow others to fly there as well. If I were in his position I would ban all flights forever, and sink posts in concrete that you idiots couldn't remove as readily, then I'd close the private gate denying access to the property by everyone at the entrance to the subdivision. Let's simply hope he's more reasonable than I'd be in his position. Odds are very good now that it will in the future be a private site, with personal invitation by the owner required to fly there, if we are allowed to fly there at all.

 

So let's get this straight… UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE CROSSWATER RIDGE IS CLOSED BY THE LANDOWNER TO ANY PARAGLIDING OR HANG GLIDER FLIGHTS!

Don't go there, don't even look, and sure as hell, don't go cut any more trees or remove the signs, barriers, or fence posts that the owner has installed.

 

Sheesh… morons….

 

Stuart Caruk • Director of Research and Development

Innovative Economical Solutions • (360) 887-0702  • (360) 887-3325 Fax

23102 NE 3rd Avenue Ridgefield, WA 98642

st...@iesonline.cc • www.iesonline.cc

 

[Lance Woolen]

Seems possible that the offenders aren't even subscribers to this list. Not to in anyway deny the asshatedness of their actions. Just saying.

[Ancil Nance]

Is that a trick question?

--
Ancil

[Jason L]

I don't live in Oregon anymore, but i come back ad fly often. I agree 100% with Stu on this one. We've been looking for summer North wind sites for a long time, now one was found and chances are it will be off limits except the select few who may be invited, thank you to who screwed the rest of the NW pilots over. There is a little ski resort called Brighton in Utah, the same thing, now it's by invite only, also a little 3600ft sled ride called graffs peak(it's 10 minutes from my house) I can't fly it because a couple pilots thought rules didn't apply to them. Now the best summer site I have is closed. (for now)
I an sorry if anyone feels I stepped out of line, I just wanted to show that this problem is not a localized thing. We as pilots have to respect landowners wishes, otherwise WE in every sense of the word fuck ourselves and destroy opportunities for future pilots. I personally would have loved to fly cross water.
Jason