Two new films from Idaho Public Television’s original productions “Outdoor Idaho” and “Idaho Experience” journey to all nine of Idaho’s 12,000-foot mountain peaks and explore moments from Gem State history. IPT announced in a press release that the films air Sunday, Dec. 6, as part of the final night of IdahoPTV’s fall on-air fundraiser, DecemberFest.

‘Idaho’s 12ers’ on Outdoor Idaho

Some seek thrills, some seek records, some push themselves to the edge of physical and mental endurance. But for most Idaho climbers, standing on the top of Idaho’s tallest mountains is reward enough. For the DecemberFest special “Idaho’s 12ers” (Sunday, Dec. 6, at 7 p.m.), the Outdoor Idaho production crew spent time on all nine of the Gem State’s 12,000-foot peaks (and a few 11,000-footers) with 44 intrepid climbers of a variety of ages and experience levels — Idaho natives and newcomers, experts and novices, men and women.

“Our climbing partners ranged from the 7-, 8- and 9-year-old kids who are the youngest people to climb all the 12ers, to the retired Boise State University math professors who have climbed all 123 Idaho peaks 11,000 feet and higher,” said producer Bill Manny. “It was a lot of work, and a lot of fun.”

Outdoor Idaho explores Idaho’s 12ers and gets to know the people who cherish Idaho’s highest places from close-up and from afar.

‘Books, Boats and Embezzlers’ on Idaho Experience

For the DecemberFest special “Books, Boats and Embezzlers” (Sunday, Dec. 6, at 8:30 p.m.), our Idaho Experience team shares a collection of short stories drawn from Idaho’s rich and varied history: a publisher who maintains hands-on printing traditions; how Ernest Hemingway’s time in Idaho influenced him; the steamboats that thrived on Lake Pend Oreille at the turn of the 20th century; New Plymouth’s beginning as an irrigated utopia; an infamous Idaho criminal from a pioneer family; and drive-in theaters that keep movie-watching traditions alive.

For Marcia Franklin, who produced a piece on the Ardingers of Limberlost Press, it was a chance to step back in time and watch as the couple lovingly crafted a chapbook of poems — from printing on a century-old letterpress to sewing each book by hand. It was also an homage to Franklin’s father, who had a similar press in their home on which the two of them would print holiday cards.

“Nostalgic feelings seem to be coming to the fore for many of us these days,” said Franklin. “This edition of Idaho Experience will take viewers on a drive down a country lane of the past, and hopefully help uplift spirits. And like a good story, watch for more! Many of these pieces will be expanded in future seasons into full-length programs.”

An entity of the Idaho State Board of Education, Idaho Public Television is a statewide multimedia broadcast network with transmitters and translator stations that deliver programs to more than 99 percent of Idaho households, and is among the most-watched PBS affiliate networks per capita in the United States. IdahoPTV broadcasts across four digital channels through five full-power transmitters (KAID, Boise; KCDT, Coeur D’Alene; KIPT, Twin Falls; KISU, Pocatello; and KUID, Moscow) and offers streaming content and educational resources through its website: idahoptv.org. The mission of Idaho Public Television is to “harness the power of public media to encourage lifelong learning, connect our communities, and enrich the lives of all Idahoans. We tell Idaho’s stories.”

Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation announced in a press release it will adopt a new fee structure and site-type simplification that will go into effect on Dec. 10. There will also be a $2 increase to the motor vehicle entrance fee, from $5 to $7.

The fee structure and campsite-type simplifications are designed to make the reservation process easier by limiting the amount of site types from which to choose. In effect, the number of campsite options has been reduced to three: Basic, Electric, and Full Hook-Up. For example, the term Serviced Site has been eliminated and replaced with either Electric Site or Full Hook-Up Site, making it easier to identify what the ideal campsite is for all customers.

This also means a fee increase across the board, ranging from 8 to 16 percent per site. It should also be noted that the new fees are now tax inclusive and more transparent to the customer.

“With our improved fee structure, users will know exactly what they are paying for their sites. And additional revenue from the fee increases will be used to improve and maintain campsites, ensuring users have great outdoor experiences for generations to come,” said Susan Buxton, IDPR Interim Director.

Customers can expect to see the new site types and fee increases when the nine-month reservation window reopens on Dec. 10 as well as on self-pay envelopes for both day use and walk-up camping.

Out-of-state residents will also see the standard surcharge of $3 per night for campsites, $5 per night for camper cabins and yurts, and 10 percent per night for houses, cottages, deluxe cabins, and group camps.

And a reminder to all Idaho residents to purchase their Idaho State Passport sticker with their annual motor vehicle registration. The $10 sticker saves time and money by waiving the motor vehicle entrance fee to any of your Idaho state parks.

For more information on fees and the Idaho State Passport, visit parksandrecreation.idaho.gov.

MCCALL — The Idaho Sled Dog Challenge is returning for the third year Jan. 28 to Feb. 1 during the 2020 McCall Winter Carnival.

According to a press release, the race features world-class mushers and is the only 300-mile Yukon Quest qualifier in the lower 48 and one of only three such events in the contiguous continental U.S. states for the Iditarod. The Iditarod and the Yukon Quest are considered the longest and the toughest sled dog races in the world.

The Idaho Sled Dog Challenge is part of the Rocky Mountain Triple Crown, which also includes the Eagle Cap Extreme on Jan. 22 to 25 near Joseph, Oregon, and the Race to the Sky on Feb. 7 to 11 near Helena, Montana.

According to one of the principal volunteers and spokespersons, Dave Looney, the Idaho race is considered one of the most grueling mushing competitions in the world due to its topography.

“Mushers will tell you this is a very, very atypical race,” Looney said. “Our elevation change is 44,000 feet, which is greater than the Iditarod. They call it a 500-mile race packed into 300 miles. So the dog care and the pacing and the attention they have to pay to the terrain is really important, because there’s a lot of up and down. One musher said the Idaho Sled Dog Challenge is like climbing Mt. Everest — twice.”

In addition to the 300-mile Iditarod and Yukon qualifier, this year’s Idaho Sled Dog Challenge offers a 100-mile race for people newer to the sport and a 37-mile race for juniors ages 14 to 17.

Several race events are open to the public and free of charge and you can follow the race online day or night via GPS sled trackers or by visiting five road-accessible checkpoints. Visit idahosleddogchallenge.com for checkpoint locations, driving directions, a local resources guide, musher bios, and more.

ARCO — As summer winds down, Craters of the Moon park will host ranger-guided walks and other events, said a press release, and the Visitor Center is open daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Sept. 28 and 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. thereafter.

You can view exhibits and audio-visual presentations to learn more about the park. Plus, there are publications for sale in the bookstore about the cultural and natural history of Craters of the Moon and the region. In addition, also through Sept. 28, are ranger-guided walks and talks.

Climb a volcano, explore a lava tube or attend a presentation. And this Sunday, National Park Service Birthday, there is no admission fee. Celebrate the 102nd anniversary of the National Park Service with a visit to Idaho’s largest national park unit. Entrance is free to all National Park System areas on this day.

Upcoming events include:

• Sept. 28 from 1 to 4 p.m.: Nature Photography Workshop: Douglass Owen, a retired park ranger, naturalist, educator and photographer, will present this three-hour workshop. His book, “A Park Ranger’s Guide to Nature & Wildlife Photography” was published in 2019 and is available in the bookstore. Learn techniques and practices to improve your photographs. Event is sponsored by the Craters of the Moon Natural History Association and will be held in the Craters of the Moon visitor center theater. Reservations are required, and the class is limited to 32 people. Contact the park at 208-527-1335 or crmo_information@nps.gov to make a reservation.
• Sept. 28 and Nov. 11: Fee Free! Craters of the Moon National Monument will join all national parks across the country in waiving entrance fees to celebrate National Public Lands Day and to honor our veterans.

BOISE — Boise police Wednesday morning worked with Idaho Fish and Game officials to encourage a bear to leave a residential area in southeast Boise near Highway 21, but authorities believe it has returned.

Officers initially responded about 8 a.m. to the Surprise Valley area on reports of a bear sighting, according to a tweet from the Boise Police Department. Not long after, Ada County dispatchers confirmed it was safe for residents to leave their homes.

Not long before 10:30 a.m., however, the Boise Police Department tweeted the bear had returned to the area.

The bear appeared to be a 2-year-old black bear, according to a news release from the Idaho Department of Fish and Game. It was last reported around noon Wednesdy, wandering through a natural riparian area near New York Canal, north of Surprise Way.

“Officers are working to keep the area safe and support Fish and Game,” the Boise Police Department’s tweet reads. “We ask you to please avoid the area of Surprise Way and (South Schooner Avenue).”

If the bear remains near homes in the area, officials will tranquilize it and move it, according to the Idaho Department of Fish and Game. If, however, it moves back toward the foothills or other unpopulated areas, officials will allow it to continue to do so.

While black bears are commonly found in the Boise Foothills, they are more likely spotted in the area of the city during the fall. Usually, there is enough forage available to feed a hungry black bear awaking from hibernation the spring, and thus they are less likely to venture into the city during that time of year, according to the release from the Idaho Department of Fish and Game.

Continuing through next September, visitors to the Boise National Forest may see employees gathering information for the National Visitor Use Monitoring Program, according to a Boise National Forest news release.

The program was developed to gather information about recreation sites along Forest Service roads. Employees will wear bright orange vests and be near a sign that says “Traffic Survey Ahead.” A similar survey was conducted in 2014.

The approximately 10-minute confidential surveys gather basic visitor information. Questions include: where they recreated in the forest, how many people they traveled with, how long they stayed, what other recreation sites they visited, and how satisfied they were with the facilities and services provided. About a third of the visitors will be asked to complete a confidential survey on recreation spending during their trip.

“These well-trained interviewers will use the information about a visit to the national forest to help with forest planning and local community tourism planning,” said Danelle Highfill, Boise National Forest recreation program manager. “It is entirely voluntary, and the information will indicate recreation trends over the years which improve facility development and economic benefit in our local area.”

Information gathered provides an estimate of how many people actually recreate on federal lands and what activities they engage in. It also includes how satisfied people were with their visit and the economic effect on the local economy.

This periodic ongoing national forest survey was last conducted in 2014. The current survey updates information previously gathered and looks at recreation trends over time.

Information collected is used in local forest planning, at the state level and even by Congress. The information helps managers provide better service.

“Although the survey is entirely voluntary, we sure would appreciate it if local and out-of-area visitors would pull up and answer a few questions,” Highfill added.

For more information, visit www.fs.fed.us/recreation/programs/nvum.