Field Reports
FISHERIES
Fish pesticide proposed
A Spokane public meeting is scheduled by the Washington Fish and Wildlife Department to review proposals to use antimycin-A as a fish pesticide to kill undesirable fish populations in selected area waters.
The meeting is set for 7 p.m., May 3, at the department’s Spokane regional office, 8702 N. Division St.
The piscicide is approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The state is assessing it as an alternative to rotenone, which is currently used in selected applications for rehabilitating fishing waters. Info: 456-4082
Rich Landers
NATIONAL FOREST
Colville cabins vandalized
A vandalism spree has marred Colville National Forest facilities.
Damages totaling about $500 were inflicted recently on the Frater Lake warming hut by partiers, forest officials said.
In recent months, boat launch facilities at both Ferry and Swan lakes have been vandalized in addition to the Swan Lake shelter house and fee vault.
Break-ins also have occurred at private cabins around Sullivan Lake.
“We cannot afford to continue repairing damage from such senseless criminal actions,” said Craig Newman, Colville National Forest recreation staffer.
Rich Landers
BICYCLING
CdA Trail rides
Four group bicycle tours on a 40-mile stretch of the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes are being sponsored this spring and summer by REI and Spokane Parks and Recreation.
Participants will be shuttled by van to the Plummer, Idaho, trailhead, where they can cruise down a canyon and along Lake Coeur d’Alene to Harrison on the paved rail-trail. Riders will continue on the trail along the lower Coeur d’Alene River to Enaville for lunch at the Enaville Resort “Snake Pit” before being shuttled back to Spokane.
Cost: $39, includes guide, transportation and support.
Register by May 10 for the ride on May 21, or June 7 for the June 19 tour, or July 5 for the July 16 ride or Aug. 9 for the Aug. 21 ride.
Info: 625-6200.
Rich Landers
CLIMBING
Whitney climber dies
A software engineer slipped to his death while descending the summit of California’s Mount Whitney, the tallest peak in the continental United States — the second climbing fatality at the same location last month.
Patrick Wang, 27, of Hillsboro, Ore., reached the summit on April 10 with Martin Kozaczek. Wang suggested glissading down, that is, using a controlled sliding technique in which the ice ax works as a brake.
But Wang got out of control as his slid on his back. Kozaczek said he was sliding too fast when he flipped and tumbled, slammed into some rocks and then plunged off a cliff.
“The idea that he could fall off the mountain was just impossible,” Kozaczek said. “He was just gone. He disappeared. That was the weirdest, strangest feeling in the world. I was in disbelief.”
Associated Press