The best mapping app for non-professionals just became better
There are several versions of CalTopo based on the quantity and quality of printing, details of maps, high resolution aerial imagery, custom layers etc.. The free version is very good for a beginner. The most expensive version, which costs $100 per year, has one feature that the other versions do not have, it allows downloading of map graphics for offline use. This can be done with a computer, laptop, tablet or phone. You can cut your link to the internet or cell service and do map planning deep in the wilderness. The most recent news is that there is a team subscription for $500, This subscription provides the deluxe $100 version to each member, for up to 100 members in the team.
If I could reqruit nine persons to join the initial team with me, then all ten of us would put in $50 toward the license and this would be called the initial fee. Anyone wanting to join the team later would be considered a part year member and would pay the original initial fee of $50, but their money would be saved to the team bank account. At the end of 12 months, the original members could renew or not, and they might be elegible for a partial refund. Part year members would be eligible for a partial refund only if they renewed for the next full year. This would encourage commitement to joining for a whole year and sharing the savings with the whole team.
Refunds to each member would be drawn from the bank account and be based on the following calculation. $500 would be divided by total sum of months that all members were in the team. This would be called the average monthly cost. Then each member would be refunded the difference of the initial fee, minus the product of the number of months they were in the team times the average monthly cost. The money from those part year members who did not renew and did not get any refund would be applied to the next years $500.
I know it sounds complicated and I am sure a few more rules will develop to run the team. However you will have the best app for computers, laptops, tablets and phones. I would be doing this as a service to promote mapping for all backcountry users in Idaho. It would be based out of the Portneuf River Back Country Horsemen Chapter. Call me to learn more. Steve Hurley 208 221-4626
If I could reqruit nine persons to join the initial team with me, then all ten of us would put in $50 toward the license and this would be called the initial fee. Anyone wanting to join the team later would be considered a part year member and would pay the original initial fee of $50, but their money would be saved to the team bank account. At the end of 12 months, the original members could renew or not, and they might be elegible for a partial refund. Part year members would be eligible for a partial refund only if they renewed for the next full year. This would encourage commitement to joining for a whole year and sharing the savings with the whole team.
Refunds to each member would be drawn from the bank account and be based on the following calculation. $500 would be divided by total sum of months that all members were in the team. This would be called the average monthly cost. Then each member would be refunded the difference of the initial fee, minus the product of the number of months they were in the team times the average monthly cost. The money from those part year members who did not renew and did not get any refund would be applied to the next years $500.
I know it sounds complicated and I am sure a few more rules will develop to run the team. However you will have the best app for computers, laptops, tablets and phones. I would be doing this as a service to promote mapping for all backcountry users in Idaho. It would be based out of the Portneuf River Back Country Horsemen Chapter. Call me to learn more. Steve Hurley 208 221-4626
National Outdoor Leadership School "NOLS"
Wilderness First Aid Class this April
Saturday and Sunday, April 4th and 5th, 8 AM to 5 PM. The cost for the two days of instruction is $200. I guarantee that this is money well spent. The usual cost for this course in other locations is usually around $250. Sign up and pay at the ISU Wilderness Outdoor Center on the first floor of the Student Union building, Idaho State University.
This course works for people of all experience levels. It is best suited for those who recreate outdoors where EMS response can be expected in a timely manner (fewer than eight hours). You'll learn the Patient Assessment System, how to provide effective first aid treatments for injuries and illnesses common in the outdoors, and how to make appropriate evacuation decisions. For Sawyer certification, a separate basic first aid and CPR course are required.
This course works for people of all experience levels. It is best suited for those who recreate outdoors where EMS response can be expected in a timely manner (fewer than eight hours). You'll learn the Patient Assessment System, how to provide effective first aid treatments for injuries and illnesses common in the outdoors, and how to make appropriate evacuation decisions. For Sawyer certification, a separate basic first aid and CPR course are required.
Education Corner
READ ABOUT THE LATEST TRAIL LEGISLATION
POE: SELL EXCESS AND UNUSED FEDERAL LAND TO FUND TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS Apr 22 2015
WASHINGTON, D.C.--This week, Congressman Ted Poe (R-TX) introduced H.R. 1931 the American Land Act. This bill would require the Bureau of Land Management and the National Forest System to open up about 1/3 of its land over five years for sale to the American people. The federal government currently owns 27% of the total land in the United States. This land is larger than the countries of France, Spain, Germany, Poland, Italy, United Kingdom, Austria, Switzerland, the Netherlands and Belgium put together. The proceeds from the sales--potentially billions--would be directly deposited into the Highway Trust Fund, making an investment in our transportation infrastructure.
“It is time for the federal government to let Americans own American land. The government cannot afford its massive estate; we need to give up some of our assets to pay for desperately needed infrastructure projects”, said Poe. “Allowing Americans to buy American land would provide a way to generate new revenue without new taxes, create new jobs and stimulate economic growth. Transferring ownership of natural resources to the public would also be a more efficient way to utilize our natural assets. This is common sense.”
The bill does not authorize the sale of land owned by the National Park Service or the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Permalink: http://poe.house.gov/2015/4/congressman-poe-introduces-the-american-land-act
WASHINGTON, D.C.--This week, Congressman Ted Poe (R-TX) introduced H.R. 1931 the American Land Act. This bill would require the Bureau of Land Management and the National Forest System to open up about 1/3 of its land over five years for sale to the American people. The federal government currently owns 27% of the total land in the United States. This land is larger than the countries of France, Spain, Germany, Poland, Italy, United Kingdom, Austria, Switzerland, the Netherlands and Belgium put together. The proceeds from the sales--potentially billions--would be directly deposited into the Highway Trust Fund, making an investment in our transportation infrastructure.
“It is time for the federal government to let Americans own American land. The government cannot afford its massive estate; we need to give up some of our assets to pay for desperately needed infrastructure projects”, said Poe. “Allowing Americans to buy American land would provide a way to generate new revenue without new taxes, create new jobs and stimulate economic growth. Transferring ownership of natural resources to the public would also be a more efficient way to utilize our natural assets. This is common sense.”
The bill does not authorize the sale of land owned by the National Park Service or the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Permalink: http://poe.house.gov/2015/4/congressman-poe-introduces-the-american-land-act
Many riders are pondering the issue of riding without horseshoes. Here is some advice from a farrier.
I posted the following article because it disturbed me that the BLM could not deal in a forthright way with their wild horse overpopulation. They have 50,000 horses in pens, and we as taxpayers spend 80 million dollars for their care, and that care is probably poor. I did not have the intent of just bashing the BLM or Tom Davis. This question is, what should be the structure of a good program for wild horses?
