been awhile, again

It's been a while since I've posted anything. I know, I'm lacking flying time or interesting things to post. The Alberta crew put on another Octowberfest this year. We all head to the Standard tow site and tow up. The weather has never really cooperated at this meet but it gets us all out. This year it was mostly newbies and few veterans. I arrived and set up my glider after towing Graham up. Rob was doing a few tandems so I towed him up a few times. On the last tow the wind switched 90 degrees and that was the end of the towing from that road. I packed up my glider and taxied Satier to the cross roads and towed him into the wind. After a thousand feet or so the wind switched 180 degrees and I was driving 100K just to spin off line. He was in a falcon and after releasing, couldn't penetrate and ended up in the middle of a field somewhere. That was my sign to get lost.....

A couple weeks ago I got a phone call in the evening wondering if I knew who the victim of an accident at Camrose ridge was. I knew nothing about it and after a few texts was informed of the guys name and that he had died when he hit a rock pile at the ridge. I recall meeting him at the tow meet but did not get to know him. He was a yearling that was just getting started. Had a few high flights under his belt and was looking to soar. The entire circle of friends here was rocked. I'm sure his mentor took it hardest of our family. I feel bad that I didn't get to know him but on the other hand I think I was spared a hardship and heartache. From the obituary it sounded like he was a hell of a guy who lived and loved life.

Last week the wind gods smiles at me the same time as I had no other commitments. Now that I am all by myself in regards to flying partners, I didn't need to ask anyone if they wanted to go. I loaded up the truck and headed to the ridge. The wind looked slightly light but was to pick up as the afternoon wore on. Once I set up the wind was honkin. No windmeter but it took a half hour to walk the hundred feet to launch. Twice on the walk, if I could have unhooked and not been cartwheeling in the wind, I would have. But when the wind quit gusting enough to unhook, it was also good enough to walk ahead and launch. I waited for a lull and launched. Instantly gaining a hundred feet. It was fairly rough in the air, gusty and a few thermals, one of which I gained 1500' over the ridge. I flew for an hour before I was wore out fighting the wind. Landed 50' away from the truck flying the base tube till my feet touched the ground. By the time I was packed up the wind was back down to barely flyable. Lucky timing. It was close to a year since I flew the ridge last. I wasn't let down this time but I'm owed some good flight there.



Good looking wind on the ridge


Pack up time.

Day 7 last day

Winds were a bit strong and from the sw. Short task was set to get everyone back for awards. 60k to the north. Ian launched first but blew it. I got ready and was in the air early.

The fires in the area intensified and the course line was right over 2. From the air I could see 200' flames, firefighters and choppers. I made it 13k short of goal. 10 were in goal with Jeff being 1st and mike taking second. Gary was last into goal but launched 2 min after the start window and only got minimum distance. He took it well.

It was a great competition and the organizers/volenteers did a fantastic job. I gained tons of experience that will help me in my future flying.
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Day 6

83K task to the north. Strong SW wind started up just as launch opened. GP piled into a tree on launch and was uninjured. Couple of ugly launches but all but 6 got off. I was one of those 6 that felt it was unsafe to fly and bagged it. At least one in goal that I know of at this time. A t-storm blew through last night causing at least 4 fires in the area. That caused a bunch of heavy air traffic too.
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Results day 5

Canceled do to unsafe wind on launch hopefully tomorrow is better
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Day 5

83K downwind dash to the north called. Gusting to 25K on launch out of the south. Lift forecasted to be the best yet but wind may be a problem.
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Day 4

125k task, no one in goal. Jeff was 10k short and lots littered in between. 2 blown launches. No injuries. Dust devils wreaked havoc on launch tossing a couple gliders around. Tomorrow looks better for lift but may be windy
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Day 2 results

Day 2 saw a repeat of day 1. Slightly different optimistic task of 80k but same stable air. I made it highest over launch height at 1100 over and when it petered out I did a dash into the shade to shoot for minimum distance but was short by 10k. Ross did a k farther than me. We were the only ones that shot for the task. Everyone else baled to the lz, which translates to another no points day. No incidents today. We are all optimistic that "tomorrow" will be better.
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Day 1 results

Day didn't turn on. Everyone sunk out. One injury, Peter from Ontario ended up with a dislocated shoulder on a downwind into the "crashpad". Everyone flew.
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Day 1

91 Km task set consisting of one out and return to the north, then another to the west from Savona launch. The overcast sky is slowly burning off and it's looking like a doable task.
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Practice day at the nats

Woke up to gray skies that turned to rain. Registration saw some optimistic pilots but alas the lift was canceled and everyone did their own thing. Some went to Savona to fly and it's looking like they my get to fly this evening. I'm just bumming around being bored. Tomorrow is looking good and this week is looking awesome.
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Secluded

In my early teens I had a dream of being a bushman, living off the land and secluded from civilization. That dream went away when I had to pay for things and got a job. From that time in my life I've always enjoyed the back woods and roads less traveled when I have the time.



While sitting in Creston watching the rain I realized I had an extra day to try out the road less traveled. I would take the long way to Kamloops north through Kaslo and Trout lake. I loaded the camping gear and kissed the kids and took off.



The windy lake road was a lot quicker than I remember and I made the ferry just in time. I've only ever been as far as Kaslo up this road and from there everything is new. The "highway" quickly turned to a gravel road with a beautiful river beside it. A quick look at the regulations showed that the Lardau river was closed to all fishing except for two tributary creeks. The first one looked too small so I continued on. The second one, Healy creek, looked good but the regs said above the falls. I drove a long time and never seen any falls. When I found a good camping spot, I set up. It was near a bridge right beside the creek. I was fast setting up my new tent and grabbed the fly rod. The fishing was great.



I found out the new tent I purchased doesn't keep water out too well and had to sleep in a wet sleeping bag.

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Weather woes

The weather has not cooperated since I've been in creston. Only flew one day so far. Windy on launch but nothing to worry about. Flew to the border and back and got into an evening glass off and floated around the valley till I was frozen. Spiraled down and landed. I love this site except for the lack of xc potential.
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Last day of the Willi

The last day was dramatic. The weather forcast was for the best day of the meet except for strong north wind. On launch the wind wasn't bad out of the north but noone wanted to be first. It was late and soon some keener pg's launched. As soon as they started climbing it was one after the other. I noticed that they were all taking collapses not soon after lauch. It was rough. I had a great day yesterday so was not into a rough day and waited till second last to launch. I noticed imediate sink that was unrelenting untill I smacked into 1200 fpm up. I gave 5 turns and altough I gained back to launch, I went negative three times. I think I know my limits and although I could fly, it would not be fun. I opted to head out and land as did quite a few do to the rodeo air.

Soon the destress calls started coming in. One reserve toss and one strung up in a tree. The helecopter was sent out and picked them up. No injuries.

The big flight was jim S made Invermere.

Gill won beginner, I won intermediate, searge won advanced, and rob won advanced topless. It was a great meet with great weather and great to see friends again.
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Invermere

The little tourist town of Invermere is 100k from launch and is the goal of many pilots that launch from golden. I have had my sights set on it for a while. Today I did it. My farthest cross country to date as well as my longest airtime at three hours ten minutes. The funny thing is I never broke 9500' my entire flight. There was once I thought I might have to land but scratched my way to jump a gap and it was quite easy. I had Gary B way out in front so I knew I wasn't the only one needing a ride and I flew a substantial portion with Greg L and Searge before leaving them in my wake.

Another gust front moved in from the north and caught a few off guard again. Chris C landed in 40k winds and did well but Fiona was much to high. She ran north 15k or so and just got down in time. Gary B and I were all packed up and enjoying a beer at the airport in Invermere when we saw Greg L landing. I rushed over to help unpack and we got 2 batons out when the gusts hit us.



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Another stable day

We were on launch for a few hours watching most pg's and a few hg's scratch their afternoon away. I launched late and thought I was going to sink out when I got rocked by a bubble and climbed 500' before it petered out. This went on for two hours and I made it over the summit a few times but never high enough to leave. No HG's went anywhere and a handfull of pg's went down range.
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Stable

Last nite a super warm wind started up shortly after dark which was welcome at the time to avoid frost bitten fingers from your beer, but as a result we were plauged with a stable day. Noone got much higher than launch and there was a storm aproching from the north. I never bothered setting up fully and drove down. We had a great tstorm blow through this evening which will hopefully destablize everything for tomorow. Timmy danced in the rain in his shorts for a clensing and was rewarded with an awe inspiring rainbow.
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Out and return

Today was a day of timing. Time your launch, both for the right wind and sun, and wiat for the sun to shine where you wanted to go. The keeners were off early and got away. I got stuck behind some launch potatoes and slipped off while noone was looking on the other launch. I'm not a big fan of the ramp anyhow.

I caught something light right off launch an was soon at the clouds at 10500'. That's when it became painfully obvious that I hadn't dressed warm enough. I passed over 7 and continued on down the range. The sky was littered with gliders. I stayed at peak hight and aimed for whoever was going up when I needed a top up.

When I reached parsons the rest of the south was black with shade. I was happy with that distance so I turned around and came back. The last littlebit of the way was covered in shade and people were being flushed down everywhere. I headed for the 15k field but was rewarded with low save half way there and got back up to within glide to camp. Good for a 60k out and return.

The best flight of the day was Rob C who made it to invermere and then back to spillimicheen.
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More rain

We loaded up and headed up the mountain. At the top we saw ugly weather comming and the pg's were rushing to get off. A few were high when the rain moved in but seen it coming and got down. The only hangglider to launch was Doug L. He got caught in it and landed in ugly rain and wind but was fine. A few of us waited it out and were rewarded with a light thermaling flight. I got an hour in light slow thermals, never breaking over the top of the mountain. The shade moved in and flushed about 6 hangies and 10 PG's all at the same tine. We needed air trafic control to keep things safe. Today looks awsome so far.
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river and trees again

Yesterday was very unstable and there were thunderclouds popping up all day. The brave ones waited and succeeded to go go far. One paraglider flew 100K to invermere and Rob C made it to Canal Flats for 160K or so. I waited till evening with some blue sky and found the air still too rough for me. I got up over the peak easy but there was 1200 up right beside 1200 down and not big enough to stay in so the rodeo wasn't worth the return and I landed.

When I went for supper I learned that there was a hangglider cought in a gust front and wound up in the river, and a paraglider in the trees in invermere. Guy in the hangglider was fine. Paraglider unknown who or his condition. today looks much of the same but slightly better,,,we'll see

rest day

Nobody flew today. Shellshocked from yesterday and too many beers by the time it got better. Tomorrow is forcasted to be better so we'll see.

carnage

I had a very memorable flight today second only to the nastyness that happened afterword. First, my flight, I was later in the launch line after watching a few get away slow and few sink out. I locked into a great thermal right off launch and was soon at 10 grand. that was the last turning I did for the rest of the flight. 50 km out and return with one turn. I've heard of people doing it but never thought it was possible. I bounced between 11000' and 9500 for the entire trip. the air was semi rough but nothing abnormal for here. I turned around do to an ugly storm brewing down the valley. Which leads me to my second half of my adventure.

The entire valley to the south was black. I turned trail and ran home. I was on the ground and packed up when it started raining gliders. When the gust front hit there was likely 15 still in the air. All the paragliders ran downwind and to my knowledge only one wound up in the hospital with injuries unknown to me at this time. 3 hang gliders were parked at full speed and hat the ride of their lives. Searge made it down with only a broken down tube. Doug K piled in hard and took out at least two downtubes. He got popped at 50 feet and stalled straight in. Dave B was the last and he was doing good until the bottom dropped out and he piled in with a high speed skid. glider fine, him bleeding but ok. There was a few lessons learned and I was very happy with my decition.

New harness

Thursday I started my trip with a treck to Calgary to pick up my new harness. John installed the reserve which was a bit of a puzzle to get it rammed in. I tried it on and was impressed with it's attention to detail and fit. It will take some getting used to as far as actualy using it.

Once in golden I took an early morning sledder to try it out and found I couldn't do up the zipper as my feet just weren't long enough to take out the pucker. Later that afternoon the day was just too windy to be enjoyable so I passed up the flight and went back down. In the evening I watched two paragliders not make the LZ and have squeeze into ugly spots. I flew shortly after and had no issues.

Tomorrow is the official start of the Willi and most have showed up today. Weather forcasts look good unlike most years. Should be a good year.
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Creston BC Mt Thompson

I went to Creston for a quick trip. Sarah had some family visiting and she wanted to see them so My plan was to fly in the evenings. Of three days possible I wound up with one flight. The first day was rained out. Second day I was all loaded up on a borrowed truck and before I even started up the mountain road I found that one of the dual tires on the back was flat and all the wheel nuts were loose with one stud broke and the others with some serious wear. I decided to forfeit that day on equipment failure. The last day I hashed a plan with my family to take a picnic supper of pizza to the top of the mountain. We loaded two trucks with people and kids and pizza and headed up.




As I set up I got real nervous realizing that my parents, brother, wife and a dozen kids would be watching, Of all places this was not the time to make a bad call or mistake. I actually lost my appetite and started to worry. As I set up I couldn't help but notice that there could be nothing more perfect about conditions. There was a light trickle of wind straight up the steep launch, no signs of turbulence and an all round nice day. I calmed down, suited up and hooked in, triple checked I was hooked in, and turned the glider around. I took a moment to remember that it had been a while since foot launching last so I went through the motions in my head and cleared my mind.
"CLEAR!!"


Launch was perfect and I was away. The air was not bad but the thermals were small and slow. Close to the trees I could climb a little but the higher I got the slower they got, still I was holding my own. I flew long enough for them to get down and watch me land. I did a few mild wing overs and did a good landing. A great flight and it will be a memorable one with most of my immediate family there. I think next time will be better.

dry spell

My friends have left me, I'm all alone in this great sport and I don't understand why there aren't thousands beating a path to the sky. I live in a town of fifty thousand and I'm the only one who does what I do. Agonizing. I thought when I started hanggliding that it was what I always dreamed of and as soon as I explain it people will realise that same dream. That's not what happens and I've realised I must be the odd one.

My new harness has arrived but work is so hectic that I have not found the time to get to Calgary to pick it up. Worst case scenario I will pick it up on my way to the Willi competition coming up in a month. I can't wait to try it out and hope I'm not disappointed. I have a nightmare in my head that it won't fit.

I'm going to Creston for some flying July 9. I'm actually supposed to be visiting but I need to fly, only for a couple days but it will be much deserved. I haven't flown since Miles in may and I've blown through the best flying part of the year.

Miles in May

May 22 Vulcan to High River to Nanton to Vulcan

The day was forecast to be light south east wind so we called a triangle that should be challenging in those conditions. It was much more challenging than we imagined. The wind was 3 times faster than forecast and just about straight south. The first leg of the triangle was east north east heading. I decided to not get excited about getting starting early and waited around waiting for something to change with the conditions. What that did for me was wait till the day turned on a little more and I was not fighting light lift and getting blown off course. No one made it to the first turn point. I made a fatal mistake and didn't trust my GPS. I headed for town instead of the way point causing me to get downwind of the way point and getting second for the day. I originally thought I had won the day but at scoring the next morning I found out I had lost by a very small amount and would have easily won had I trusted my gps. Another lesson learned.




May 23 Last day, Short task to Strathmore (75k?)

Forecast was for the same as yesterday, learning our lesson on that we called a mostly down wind task to Strathmore. I towed my entire team up (twice) and after they were all gone, got a tow from Brett on Leif's rig. I pinned off into lift at around 1000' and never looked back. I climbed out like a rocket to 9000' and met up with Dave at cloud base where we went on glide. I followed him for a kilometer or so before I realized I was taking the wrong approach to gaggle flying and moved over a few hundred yards to take advantage of the separation. Soon after a long glide Dave started turning to my left and I pulled in under him. We climbed to base and I lead on ahead. I tried to stay on course while Dave pulled to the left. I was soon on the ground after a long glide and Dave picked a better line and continued on. I made it 20K or so and landed right beside Rob G. He had a ride on route so I lucked out there.


Final Notes.... After attending Miles in May for three years, This was by far the best one yet. Comp headquarters was a bar that we never left, except to fly. The drive to launch was minimal inconvenience and access to internet was much more convenient then years past. I did my best placing at second place (novice) and my winch performed beautiful with the highest tows and consistent performance. Best of all the only incident was one perturbed farmer.

Miles in May

May 21 Goal: Formost = 100 miles

We decided to go long. All the forecast models showed an awesome day. We called the task to Formost for around 170 Km. Everyone made it away from the tow roads, Ross and Fiona made goal, I made it 20 km or so. I made some fatal errors in judgment that put me on the ground early. The day was rough with some wire twanging and getting dumped many times. I was disapointed in my performance but not too sad I was on the ground.

Miles in May

May 19 Day called

After a delayed pilots meeting and sky watching the safety committee ordered beer. Gusting to 70K. A group of us went fishing at chain lakes. Cost me a fishing license to catch one 8" rainbow, but at was an afternoon doing something different. Cal is like a 12 year old fanatic when it comes to fishing.




May 20 Day will be called

Awoke to an odd sounding rain, if that wasn't enough to piss a guy off, when I finally crawled out of my tent, that odd rain was actually snow. Forecast says crap for today but tomorrow will be awesome. This whole group is going to snap if we don't fly soon.

Miles In May

May 16 Practice Day
The forecast was for a great day, possibly the best of the week so there was allot of gliders/pilots set up when I got to the tow site. So many in fact that it was going to be impossible to get any consistent tow time. I rounded up my crew for the meet and asked if they wanted to head to a different road. We headed over to a different road and set up. It was getting late by the time I towed the first glider up. I went with a soft tow for the fist one and I wasn't sure how far the road went so Loren got a 1600' tow but didn't stick. Next was Ken. He broke the record for height of tow off my winch with 3200' which was broken soon after by Glen with a tow to 3600'. But apparently high tows don't come with luck and after a couple tows each, they never got away. There was a few others that were dotted along the countryside all the way to just north of brooks. (actually a paraglider pilot of all things!) About 120K or so.

May 17 Goal: Brooks-100k
At the pilot meeting, some rules were layed down, classes were sorted out, and I was elected to the task committee. The classes are Novice (never over 50 miles) Intermediate (never over 120 miles) and Advanced (anything over 120 miles flown) That put me into the novice class. Myself, Loren, Ken, and Cal make up the novices which I feel is pretty fair. The intermediates have some pretty extreme ranges of pilots, and the advanced looks pretty fair too. I like the splitting of the classes and hope it works out well.

With the forecast "gusting to 50K" winds we decided on a straight downwind task to Brooks. We drew the long straw and got the long road with Dougs crew. The wind started south and we towed a few south but again it was proving tough to get away. One by one Dougs crew towed and left the site. We had a trainee driver I was teaching for a few tows. He did well but small problems kept popping up that made life difficult. Loren had the chute pop out on tow and somehow ripped the bridles off it when he got released. That sent the chute floating in the wind down the field (thank you Karen) After that crisis the line was all pulled off the winch on the next tow and had to be found and rewound. On my tow my release line got tangled with the chute and upon release, cut the chute bridle again. I had the chute still in the sock so I had to go and land to give back the chute. On the second round of tows we went away one by one. It was very windy and with the bar out to min sink I was traveling a 75 kph The order of the day was drift with what you could. I got farthest of my crew, at around 20 K. Ken was a K or 2 short of that, and Loren was around 10 K. Glen never got away. Ross and Rob made goal, Gary was 20 k away. In my class Cal beat me by a long ways flying to Bow City for around 75K and will be tough to catch without some luck on my side, or bad luck on his, but it's still early.

May 18 Weather day.
It started to rain on our parade shortly after breakfast. There was a few people that headed out last night and I was going to but a few beer later and it was too late to hit the road. I am at home now and the forecast is looking alright for tomorrow so I'll be driving back tomorrow morning.

First Winch Test 2009

Jason and I went out on Sunday the 19. I found a prospect for a driver and brought him and his girlfriend out too. The day looked explosive so I took the first tow. It was fairly rough on tow, I didn't dress for it nor did I take my gps. All indicators it would be an awesome flight.

I skied out till everyone was specks on the ground and struggled to get down after I couldn't feel my fingers.

The first tow was just a test for the winch and the day but I must admit that if I was prepared I would have headed out. The winch performed beautiful. The new pulleys worked great. The new 8 sq ft flow form flying kite works great but might still be a touch small. I'm going to speed up the rewind sometime soon to counteract that.

Jason discovered something wrong with his mark 4 and decided it was time to fly the predator. He wanted smooth conditions as it was his first flight of the year, the first flight in a while on that wing, and the first time towing it. (3 wrongs is usually a no no) I took another tow when the sky filled with high cloud and it was smooth, no lift/turbulence. Jason got on the rig and had little trouble towing/flying the high performance wing. Landing however, discouraged him from trying again. Wind was dead calm till he set up final and then it went tail. With a weak flare, there was a dust cloud and a wing upside down. To me it looked like a nasty whack but he should have faired well. I resisted the urge to yell WHACK!!! Glad I did, he was pretty beat up. Looked like he was on the loosing side of a bar fight. Probably made for a good story at work the next day. Bleeding from various places on his face and a mouth full of dirt, I enthusiastically asked when he wanted to go again. I'm an asshole...... We packed up and went home. I'll probably never see my drivers again either. Was a little longer than the hour or two I think they were expecting, but I'm glad they got these videos.

Airtime at last

Finally received some much needed airtime. First time out this year and I flew for just short of an hour. Tow was uneventful.

The plan was not to go out Saturday but to go out on Sunday locally. After numerous emails, phone calls and texts I built up the courage to ask my loving wife and the answer was no. I expected that. Saturday rolled around and the forecast looked great, I cried a little. She asked if I was going to mope around the house all day. When I replied yes she kicked me out. I have a very understanding wife. No idea why she sticks around.

Pulling out my winch and headed out today for the first time this year. Looks great today too.

Winter blahs

As this winter drags on my focus has switched to flying planning. I have plan to take in the Nationals and the Willi with 2 weeks in between to take in some Kooteney sites. I have also rebuilt some components of my winch. I ordered a new flying chute here, The first one I bought was too small and never provided enough tension on rewind. This new one is twice the size. I had no problem using a round drogue chute except they don't last too long dragging them through the stubble fields, and the occational fence post/well head was murder.Spring flying should kick off in the next month or two and by then I should have the winch working well. The first competition will be Miles In May but I have not heard of where or when it will be. I'm hoping my new harness will be here before then but I doubt it. Winter is almost over and the excitement for the upcoming flying season is building. This year has been terrible for wind strength and direction at the ridge. It hasn't been right all winter. Last year I had multiple flights at the ridge by February and thus far there has been nothing. Hopefully the next blog entry will be my first flight of the year, at this point it doesn't matter where or how long.

bored

I'm not a winter guy. All projects go on hold and I can barely get out of depression to go to work. Winter here is cold. I thought I would get used to it but this year was record snow with record cold for most of December and we are currently heading into another cold snap. On the up side work has treated me well and I will soon be the proud new owner of a Rotor harness. I'm living vicariously through the internet/blogs and am getting excited for the new season ahead. Along with the new harness I'm keeping an eye out for a topless glider. Before the cold set in I redid some stuff on the winch. there is only one spring now and I've gotten rid of the small pulley in favor of a larger one with larger bearings. This should get rid of the self destruct mode once and for all I hope. It seams there will always be ways to make something better when you take on a project like that. I will likely be using it be April. We'll see then.