Flying Report Jan 20

RossinAz · Post by **RossinAz** » Mon Jan 21, 2008 9:45 am

On a short notice day, Ross, Mick and Taryn took off for Oatman. Forecasts llooked good but light south/southwest. From Marana it only took 2.25 hours to get launch. It was cycling lightly in and Taryn offered to go first-since she was light on her wing. Her heart was in the right place but she only managed to scratch down in a short 15? min. flight. Mick then took off and flew for about an half an hour. Due to even lighter conditions and my poor laucndh techniques I spent the next 40 mins. try to get the wing out of cactus and finally punched off with a forward launch. Amazingly the lighter conditions also had better thermals inbetted in them and I got about 400 feet over and flew for 20 minutes. No I noticed the flags were blowing stronger and with no lag periods. It was ON! I topped landed, jumped in the truck and retrieved Mick and Taryn from LZ. 35 minutes later we were back at launch, all got off smoothly and each got 1.5 hour glass off flight. Truly beautiful, peaceful and well deserved! We landed by some campers and the kept Taryn and Mick warm by a fire while I hiked back up to retrieve the vehicle. Per Taryn- Az. is redeeming itself as a PG flying location. I would love to go back soon but we need to get a small work party to make that launch just a little bit friendlier. I'll talk to AHGA and get permission. It is mostly a few ocotillos anf a few rocks that just want to grab lines if the wing gets dropped back down. Anybody game? This site is the same distance as Miller and works SE-SW.

allen · Post by **allen** » Mon Jan 21, 2008 10:11 am

Ross,Oatman is a very sensitive site at this time. Any work needs to be cleared by the club.We have a lkarge pg community in Phoenix,And I am sure they would be happy to show you our other sites .South Mtn. is really popular this time of year,we are also doing some scooter towing near Casa Grande.We also have some pilots that belong to both clubs.I think that we have an opportunity to improve flying in AZ. if we try to fly each others sites and get to know the other clubs better.You can give me a call at 602-577-3733. or go to our website AHGA.org. THANKS Allen

Eric · Post by **Eric** » Mon Jan 21, 2008 2:11 pm

Wow, sounds like Oatmen was the place to be. Glad you guys had a good time.

Allen , has a point about South mountain. I flew it twice last winter, 110 miles from my house. Soarable both times, only 15 minutes more driving than Miller, 1000 foot vertical, paved road to the top. Pleanty of locals to fly with, nice launch area.

Eric

Taryn · Post by **Taryn** » Mon Jan 21, 2008 10:02 pm

The glass-off was very sweet this Sunday at Oatman. I just came back from a backpacking combined with paragliding trip to Mexico. I was just thinking to myself that I won't been using my wing much, because I decided not to do hike-up sites until my back is fixed. A surprise call from Mic brought smile and hope to my face. Unfortunately, Oatman is a sensitive site, so I will respect that. However, if the situation should improve, I would be happy to contribute toward a work-party!

A brief note on my trip to Mexico: I spent 7 days in Valle de Bravo, which is about 3 hours west of Mexico City. I flew everyday, late morning and glass-off. The x-c potential was always there; it's just a matter of how great it gets. There is no worry about landing in the middle of nowhere, but hitch-hiking is very easy, and cheap taxis are abundant. Bonus? Extremely friendly locals and great food. VdB usually works very well from December to early February. There are many international PG and HG pilots there during this time. There are as many organized PG tour groups and do-it-yourselves like me. I would highly recommend that place as a top destination for your winter flying trips!

Guido · Post by **Guido** » Mon Jan 21, 2008 10:18 pm

I was thinking about going to Valle de Bravo, but what I have read in the paragliderforum was not very encouraging....

http://www.paraglidingforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=13457
http://www.paraglidingforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=13931

What have you paid to get to the launch?

morey · Post by **morey** » Mon Jan 21, 2008 10:56 pm

Taryn,
I'd rather fly vicariously through you, than actually go flying myself.

or, at least that's what I keep telling myself.

That's terrific that you got in so much flying and had a great trip. I've really got to get to Valle. Perhaps next year.

Taryn · Post by **Taryn** » Mon Jan 28, 2008 12:26 am

Guido,

There have been a lot of conflicts over the usage of the road to the El Pinon launch and the launch in the last few months. When I arrived at VDB, the boycott by many of the local pilots and some physical encounters were still on-going. The atmosphere at the launch was definitely different this year from that of two years ago.

Instead of paying $35 for the year, I paid about $45 for a 1-week pass. I have to admit that I was ashame of not joining the local pilots to boycott the unreasonable and illegal increase in site fee, but I was stuck with the fact that I had 1 week there and really wanted to fly. I certainly hope that the situation will change, so that everyone can fly more affordably. It would be ashame for someone's greed to ruin a great paragliders' heaven like VDB.

Taryn

Flying Report Jan 20

Great flying on Sunday!

Site fee at VDB