Paragliding
The
Point
by
Jeff Goin
See report from May 25-26
May 23-24, 2001
The beginning of demo days is actually on Friday May
25th but since my schedule didn't cooperate I went Wed-Fri.
After climbing up to the high ridge the work load
reduces drastically (right) as you can see by my smile and lack of hands
in brakes. There is abundant lift and it covers a wide area.
At one point soaring when I wanted to be closer to the
ridge I pulled "big ears" and simply flew around that way. The buoyant
air would was easily keep me a hundred feet above the ridge top.
 
Above is a view of the "big" ridge on the North side. The pilot
is "OJ" and he uses the ridge primarily as an elevator to ratchet
his altitude up for aerobatics which he performs with grace. Here he is
climbing and will only get another hundred feet or so before heading out
front to practice his "routine".
Over the top of the big North ridge...my shadow is just below the ridge
line.
   
Another pilot enjoying the big lift of the North side. This is looking SW
over the valley. Be careful not to go over the back side of this
ridge...local experience suggests the rotor-infested ride behind it will
likely be under a reserve!
Looking Northeast provides a spectacular view of East Salt Lake City and
the surrounding mountains.
   
1. "OJ" in the white glider top landed at the peak of the tall
North ridge which is a very demanding task
2 & 3 The small ridge of the South side is generally working in the morning. How
appropriate that I must pass the "Flying J" on my way to the
"Flying P". Notice the sun isn't even up yet.
4. To say the LZ gets crowded doesn't do this gaggle justice. And this is
BEFORE Demo Days gets started! Pictured is the top of the small ridge on
the North Side. Flying over the houses low is a big no-no.
Notice the concentration of gliders in front of the ridge. It was good to
be on the big ridge because sometimes the ridge rules get stretched a bit
and require creative maneuvering.
This sight awaited me at arrival to the South side. The very active school
has several instructors. These students will all become very good with
higher wind handling.
The view from the South side looking South.
This is the shallow south ridge...it can be walked up...and it frequently
is! Since it is so shallow the lift rarely goes very high but it the
ultimate training ridge.
Top landing is where you land at the same place you took off. This fellow
is landing on the top of the big North ridge which is quite challenging.
He succeeded, went for his leak, and re-launched. Of course given my
camera shot, privacy is a relative term.
|
 The Flying
It's essentially a ridge site although the thermals
start making rides rough during mid day.
There are several conditions that can happen in spite of
innocuous looking weather and it would be very wise to seek local advice.
Cloud 9 Soaring Center is located in Draper only a few
miles away from the hill. Unfortunately motors are not allowed but since
this is such a good site for soaring that's not a big problem...wind
provides plenty of horse power..
Flyers are encouraged to talk with a local instructor
(the Cloud 9 folks are friendly, helpful and incredibly skilled) before
flying. They must be members of the Utah Hang Glider Association.
This fellow (above) had his glider fail in flight during wing-overs.
Several middle lines broke near the wing earning him a reserve ride.
While standing around talking at the end of the day we heard a loud
"bang". Looking up it became obvious the horseshoe-shaped glider
was missing something in it's mid-section. Thankfully the pilot deployed
his reserve and planted a perfect PLF (parachute landing fall). While he
was un-hurt his wing had broken upwards of 10 lines near the mid section.
He was doing fairly steep wing-overs. Pictured here
OJ turns his Ozone Octane on its wing tip. There were many aerobatic maneuvers
expertly performed...although anything where the pilot lands softly on his
feet would qualify to me.
|
