Arriving from as far as Arkansas, Western Washington, Oregon, Wyoming, volunteers roofed, paneled, and sided the cabins. RAF Director Mike Perkins organized materials logistics, no small task, as the fellows turned stacks of lumber, corrugated metal, doors and windows into cozy camping space. Paul Iverson generously provided his well-provisioned construction trailer for as long as the crew needed his tools and equipment. In spite of a flurry of hail, Tricia McKenna and Berkley Hudson mapped out trails. A new fire ring awaits beneath the barn where folks can enjoy sunsets together in the new bright orange Adirondack chairs.
VOLUNTEERS ADD CABINS; WRAP UP SEASON AT RYAN FIELD
Over extended weekends ending in October, skilled volunteers from literally all over the country met at Ryan Field, 2MT1 to build two more hard-sided camping cabins. The board commited to adding two cabins due to demand during flying season. These cabins are located along the west side of the field, a few minutes’ hike north of the pilot shelter.
There are now five new secure food storage containers — known as “bear boxes” here in grizzly country — available to campers, thanks in great part to RAF supporter Pete Smith of Lewistown.
Seasonal maintenance was completed, the restroom and shelter water is off, the mowing equipment and courtesy car are stowed.
The RAF looks forward to seeing you at Ryan Field in 2023!
Submitted on October 12, 2022.
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FLORIDA AMBASADOR
CALIFORNIA AMBASSADOR
Oregon RAF Liaison Bill Ables has been awarded a $5,000 RAF grant to retain RAF membership in and support the Hells Canyon Recreation Collaborative (HCRC) for the next five years. The HCRC was organized in 2016 at the request of Idaho’s Congressional Delegation as a framework for the various recreational user groups to collaborate with the US Forest Service within the 652,488-acre Hells Canyon National Recreation Area. Ables, a past Director and current member of the group, explained that HCRC membership is a cross-section of user groups from both the private and commercial sectors, including river rafters and jet boaters, backpackers, horse packers, aviators, and governmental management agencies. Providing ongoing support ensures continued aviation representation. The rugged Snake River canyon region hugs the borders of northeastern Oregon and western Idaho, and includes nine backcountry airstrips within the Recreational Area. All are maintained by volunteer aviation groups in collaboration with the USFS: Cache Creek, Salmon Bar, Dug Bar, Temperance Creek, Pittsburg Landing, Sluice Creek, Lord Flat, Memaloose, and Big Bar. “Our support of HCRC, combined with the other involved aviation groups, ensures ongoing maintenance and improvements at each of these nine airstrips. It benefits general aviation by preserving access to enjoy the beauty of the Hells Canyon area, which directly speaks to the Mission of the RAF,” Ables said. For more information on Dug Bar, Cache Creek, Big Bar, and Memaloose, see the Airfield Guide . Pittsburg Landing, Sluice Creek, Temperance Creek, and Salmon Bar are not listed in the Airfield Guide at this time. Submitted February 24, 2026
DIRECTOR
TEXAS LIAISON
