Search and Rescue gets whitewater class
Joshua Quantrell
For The Sentinel
Alone on a cliff or in the river, well-trained rescue personnel could be a more welcome sight than a ice cream truck, even if the day is hot.
To meet this need, Klickitat County Search and Rescue trained eight people in white water and another six volunteers in rope rescue techniques last weekend.
As Klickitat County gains more and more recognition as a destination for outdoor enthusiasts the opportunity for people to need rescued or found away from roads and the beaten path. Events such as the Gorge Games highlight this growing segment of visitors. This increases the odds of people being injured or stranded not only in remote places but in need of technical assistance either in the water or in steep terrain.
The members of the organization trained to the first level of white water rescue at Wet Planet rafting company in Husum. Besides how to pull people from the water, they were also trained to use ropes to pull rafts from injured persons, despite the tremendous pressure of the water on the vessel.
Rope Rescue personnel were trained to be proficient with the rigging of lowering and raising systems with ropes as well as how to safely move a subject up steep slopes.
This training will be may be used in the upcoming Gorge Games. The administration of the event requested that KCSAR volunteers be on site for the white water portions in the White Salmon river. “We are going to be helping with the safety and potential rescues,” said Jeff king KCSAR coordinator. 16 volunteers will be helping with these portions and others will help with the communications.
Overall the effectiveness of the organization is growing according to King. “The more trained responders the better our response will be. Our manpower and response time are improving as we get more members across the county,” he said. However, the department is still looking for members with special interests such as horsemen or snowmobiles as well as others.
For more information call Jeff King at the Klickitat County Sheriffs Office, (509) 773-4455.
Long history of ranching on Davenport spread
Andrew Christiansen
News Editor
The drive up the hillside behind Dave and Laurie Davenport’s ranch took 15 minutes, but the transition went all the way back to 1958. That year, Dave’s grandfather, Paul Davenport was photographed at this spot, for a story in the Yakima Herald. Over Paul’s shoulder was the John Day River.
Not much has changed from that picture, 50 years later, except for a dam or two. Dave and Laurie live in the house Dave’s great-grandfather, Alex built in the early 1900’s. The location is part of the original homestead that great-great-grandfather, Dave claimed in 1886.
The story present-day Dave tells is that great-great-grandfather intended to settle around Pendleton and got his directions confused after following the Oregon Trail and branching off to The Dalles. In the 1920’s, Alex brought Aberdeen Angus cattle to Klickitat County, and the family continues to run cattle to this day.
Earlier this year, Dave and Laurie were chosen Cattlemen of the Year by the Klickitat County Livestock Association. Dave joins his dad, Jack Davenport, and brother Bruce on the list of honorees. Jack was honored in 1971. Bruce and Peggy Davenport were chosen in 1995.
A large crowd of family and friends enjoyed a tour of much of the ranch on Sunday, including the view of the John Day and Columbia Rivers from behind the Hoctor Road location of the home place. A morning exhibition of working cattle and sheep dogs preceded a dinner at Brooks Memorial Park.
Dave talked about what was involved in keeping a ranch going these days, dealing with high prices for hay. He has kept a split herd, calving some in spring and some in fall, mainly to better utilize his labor. It also broadens his options on marketing calves which he backgrounds and sells as feeders. The narrative Dave and Laurie shared gives a good sense of the importance in the traditions their family enjoys. Spring branding, a time of hard labor is described as “fun and good memories,” and Dave recalls the days they drove cattle north from the home place to range land in the Simcoes.
Sunday’s trip up the ridge was more about sharing the fantastic view than it was to explain the nature of the range. The ridge is also the site of the next round of wind generators that are being sited on the ridge. Dave sees the generators as an important asset that helps ranchers continue in the ranching business, and sympathizes with those who aren’t able to capitalize on the wind asset.
The Davenports have one daughter, Jesse, who is currently attending the University of Idaho, where her major is agricultural business, no doubt destined to keep on ranching. While the view might be changing from the time when Paul looked out over the same ridge Dave and Laurie are fond of visiting, you get the feeling that nothing much has changed in this pioneer family’s approach to life. Old Dave might have missed the turn off to Pendleton, but from that ridge it is hard to deny that he might have found something better.
Livestock exhibitors are primed for County Fair
Spring livestock shows hone exhibitor showmanship skills and give livestock some experience traveling and being in unusual settings with other animals. Performance by Klickitat County 4-H and FFA members at the Mid-Columbia Junior Livestock Show seems to indicate kids and animals are ready for County Fair.
Madison Holbrook was champion junior sheep showman, reserve champion swine showman, and All-around junior champion. McKayla Whitmire was first in senior showmanship for sheep. Reserve champ titles went to Billie Jo Risheim and Daniel McElravy, in beef, and Garrett Cooper in swine.
Samantha Nickels exhibited the top market hog, and Bridget Hoctor had Grand Champion market beef animal.
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