http://ozreport.com/11.129#4

John Bilsky <> writes:

To go along with your little blurb on north central Idaho there will be a fun fly taking place close to Orafino in Riggins this coming Labor Day. The organizers have dubbed it the Riggins Resurrection and here's the story behind it.

A long long time ago in a state not especially known for its hang gliding fame, there was an annual fun fly in Riggins, Idaho. To Mark Hollon’s best recollection, the last known event was in 1985 and it brought close to 30 or 40 gliders into those friendly skies. It is time to resurrect that event and that time is this Labor Day Weekend. The event will run from Friday, August 31 to Monday, September 2nd, 2007. (Mark was the only pilot in Riggins until I met him in the summer of 2006.)

Riggins, ID is one of the easiest places to find in the USA. It’s so easy that you don’t even need a GPS. Imagine that! A simple paper map of the state will do. According to the Riggins Chamber of Commerce web site, http://www.rigginsidaho.com/ the little town of 410 people lies on US Highway 95, and sits at the confluence of the Salmon and Little Salmon Rivers in west central Idaho. Since Rt. 95 is the only highway on the left side of the state for a long distance, a child of twelve could find it. Presumably the reader is older than twelve and should have no problem but some may consider using their own child or renting the neighbor’s kid as back up.

The actual community population is closer to 1500 and a large tourism base helps explain how a town of “410” can have three excellent bars, twice as many churches, several restaurants and motels including a “Best Western”, camping areas and numerous successful businesses geared toward guiding and outfitting you on famous rivers and spectacular mountains.

Riggins, on the other hand, with its huge pilot base, still has more flying sites than people to fly them. The following immediately come to mind: Whitebird, Lucile, Graves Point, Movie Screen and Seven Devils Mountains. And there are probably another half a dozen or so more that for now will remain nameless. For the real intrepid, just about all the ridges in the area are launchable with sufficient LZ’s to keep the pucker factor to a minimum.

The town of Riggins itself has no fewer than three places to land including an old airstrip that has zero airplanes. This doesn’t include a couple of spots that could be used as bail out areas “just in case”. In aggregate, the launches face practically every direction on the compass, a perfect wind rose. It also has a few great watering holes and restaurants to boot. Geologically speaking, the place has been there for millions of years (give or take a few days), but it went into stealth mode a few decades ago for reasons unknown. That is about to change and you can become part of it.

Let’s take a look at what the fun fly was typically like back in the days when flying was done on gliders like Ravens, Ducks, Harriers, UP Comets, and Sensor 510A’s. There was no such thing as a topless and the Viagra wings were unheard of.

On Friday, everyone would assemble and make the twenty five minute drive to Whitebird and fly the ridge there. Some folks would top land on the huge open flats when they got their fill of air and others would opt to land out. Whitebird is the most forgiving site in the Riggins area and one of the best all around. Any place you can top land has to be good.

If the wind was from the wrong direction, pilots would launch from Graves Point facing west into the Hells Canyon of the Snake River

Labor Day Saturday, pilots would launch one big gaggle in the early afternoon and soar several hours over the Riggins area. The typical “bomb drop” would be bags of candy at the city park now populated with rented twelve year olds. Landing would be at the airport across the river. Winning the spot landings, duration and other such events was a big deal because the pilot received prizes donated by the local businesses. (Think watering holes and T-bone steaks)

Then on the last day (Sunday) the gang would head to the Seven Devils Mountains and launch from about 7600’ MSL to fly back to Riggins, (1800’ MSL) a distance of about 7 miles. It’s almost a sled ride, a long dogger, a glide to goal but a couple of bumps would make it easy. With there being plenty of alternate landing choices, it makes for a great flight. Once Riggins was within glide, pilots had the option of landing at the upper football field which is wide open (no goal posts or wires), or across the river at the aforementioned air field. The options are still there. Oh yeah, THIS this

The fun fly this year will coincide with the town of Riggins' annual Labor Day celebration and since the town is so pilot friendly, anyone there is free to join in all the activities and blend in with the locals. Bring your toys gals & guys because the outdoor recreation opportunities are limited only by your imagination. There are day float trips on the Salmon River for starters. Hook up with an outfitter or get some guidance from a local and do it yourself.

Mountain biking and road biking is for real and the hiking trails are more than you could walk in a month. You could even pan for gold in the Salmon River. The Labor Day festivities will kick off at noon on Monday September 2nd with an assortment of fun things to do for the kids at the park. This eventually evolves into grown-up activities which include a horseshoe tournament, a local celebrity dunk tank, a beer garden and much more, winding down with a pig roast dinner/spaghetti feed at 6 PM. Then it’s time for the live music and dancing the night away. In short, it’s the way life should be. Relaxed. Unfettered. And fun!

This all benefits the Riggins Salmon River Dive and Rescue Team, a volunteer squad of dedicated men and women who may risk their lives for others when the need arises.

For the answers to any questions you may have and more information contact the entire hang glider pilot base in Riggins. He happens to be Mark Hollon and can be reached at .

You can also contact his friend in Orson, PA, John Bilsky who will definitely be at the Resurrection possibly awaiting impeachment since he will not be at the Labor Day fun fly in Ellenville where he is the president. John can be reached at

Riggins loves glider pilots of all sorts and will treat you like the Sky Gods that you are. On the Labor Day weekend 2007 we will be soaring the skies above “the narrowest little town in the country”. Come and join us.

Discuss Riggins at the Oz Report forum
   
 
 
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