Puget Sound Knappers

2020 Glass Butte Gathering, Glass Buttes, Oregon
Saturday, March 21^st- Sunday March 29^th
Host Rocky Male

In Response to the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak and in light of Large Gathering Ban in Oregon, the Puget Sound Knappers Association is recommending this event be Postponed

GLASS BUTTES KNAP-IN ALERT!!! Having received a number of inquiries about the status of the 2020 Glass Buttes Knap-in given the on-going concern over the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and restrictions on public gatherings, I asked for recommendations from the Puget Sound Knappers' (PSK) Council of Elders as to whether or not to postpone participation in this event. Although not unanimous, a clear majority, 8 out of 11 Council Members recommended postponing the Event. In anticipation of a much lower turnout and in consultation with the nominal host, Rocky Male, he has decided to scale back the number of porta-potties that will be available. The Glass Buttes Knap-in is not and has never been an official organized event of the PSK or any other group. It has always been an informal gathering where a bunch of like-minded individuals gather and offer donations for provision of sanitation, i.e. portable outhouses. As in the past, everyone is free to make their own decision as to whether to attend this year.

Take Special Note – The timing of the annual Glass Buttes Knap-in corresponds to the Oregon Schools Spring Break Calendar. In 2020 Spring Break is March 23^rd through March 27^th, and the knap-in starts the Saturday before and ends the Sunday after!

Second Special Note and Reminder – The Glass Buttes Knap-in is held on Federal Land managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). The BLM does not permit commercial activity or organized events. This is an informal gathering of people with a common interest. As a condition of using the Glass Buttes area the knappers provide sanitation facilities (Porta-Potties) and insure that the area is cleand of all trash at the end of the event. The cost of these Porta-Potties is not insignificant and historically, one or two knappers have gone out on a limb and spent their own money up front to rent them. It is these same knappers (or Host) that police thea area at the end of the event. Donations from those attending will help insure that we will be able to meet our commitments to provide sanitation facilities and keep in the good graces of the BLM! Donations are absolutely voluntary but please donate if you can. And pack out your trash!

Our Host, Rocky Male, is planning on providing a community breakfast - DONATIONS are greatly appreciated and will help make this an ongoing activity! Rocky is also planning on hosting a community Pot-Luck Breakfast as well as a Pot-Luck Dinner! All help, donations and contributions are welcome!

And Come PREPARED! While two of the last three years have seen moderate to good weather, those of us at the 2011 GB Knap-in experienced some tough conditions. Not bad enough to keep away the hardiest of the knappers but tough nevertheless!

As always it will be primitive camping – bring what you’ll need and plan to pack it out as well. Porta-Potties are the only amenities that will be provided. To see a checklist of useful items to bring go here: Glass Buttes Checklist

A further reminder. There are specific rock collecting guidelines for collecing in the Glass Buttes area. The regulation promulgated by the BLM can be seen here: Glass Buttes Handout

Also, if you have other interests in all the other aboriginal skill sets: food/fire/water/tanning/cordage/herbs/basketry/etc., etc., etc. - this is one of the best for networking/sharing/learning. Again, the weather is THE wildcard for this event .

Point of contact is Rocky Male (). Rocky will be providing the Porta-Potties (and firewood) so keep him in mind when the donation bucket goes around.

Directions:

Get to Glass Buttes by driving to the Central Oregon Highway - Hwy 20 and the driving to milepost 77. A dirt road goes south towards two volcanic peaks, Little Glass Butte is on the east and Big Glass Butte is on the west. The main camp is approximately 2.9 miles south of Hwy 20.