Final Day/ Nats at Dunlap, CA

Well, with the comp being finished, and some great flying experienced, the top guys in the US shine again. Brad Gunnuscio was 1st, with Eric Reed 2nd, Rob Sporer 3rd, and Nick Greece 4th. All of the pilots are part of the Eagle paragliding team coached by Rob Sporer. All were flying the new hot ship from Niviuk paragliders, the Icepeak 3. I love flying with these guys, because of their infectious love for cross country flying and paragliding, and their genuine great attitude. Great ambassadors to the sport.

The second round of the Nationals will be in the Salt Lake City area of Utah in August. I look forward to flying with all the great pilots, and have some great cross country flying as well. Stay tuned for all the colorado events coming up soon in May and June.

During the Nats/ Day 4 and 5

So, I have a moment to continue my saga, and boy it was to become a saga! Day 4 of the Nats seemed to be another high pressure day with an inversion close to launch height. An 80 km task or so was set, and we were off. The start was to the north of launch with the first turn point to the north as well. You had to enter the start cylinder when the race time started, and then tag the same start point at 400 meters. Many pilots were fighting for altitude as the thermals would form to the north of launch, and then shut down. There was a plethora of confused, organized chaos, of paragliders trying to stay as high as possible before the start. Most pilots were close to launch height to about 1,000 feet over launch at the start. No one seemed to be rushing on course. I saw some pilots climbing near launch so I flew over to that thermal and made a nice climb to about 1,500 feet over launch. That enabled me to tag the start and the turn point easily. I was a little behind the main gaggle, but was not worried because of the stable conditions. There were about 8 or nine of us searching to get a thermal so we could began to glide on course. It was a right turn day, but some pilots were turning left and just making due to stay up. Many of us were trying to stay close to each other as that seemed to be the only area of where the lift was.

Now, most of the time during the comp, you can be flying fairly close to other pilots. Sometimes almost touching wingtips. This usually is not a problem as everyone is a skilled pilot, and has done this before. Plus, we are all circling in the same direction. Well, I was making a bunch of turns in broken thermals usually keying off the other pilots in lift. I finally decided to go on glide to the north, and was flying straight. I knew there were no paragliders in front of me, and saw the other pilots flying straight as well. I looked over my left shoulder to clear my airspace. I then looked back in front of my flying path, and to my surprise, was a paraglider turning left at my level. I yelled, and made an evasive turn to the left. The other pilot then tried to keep turning left, and unfortunately it was not enough. The paraglider hit on the right side of my lines about two-thirds the way up to my paraglider. This immediately spun me to the right and I focused on getting untangled from the other glider's lines. In about 3 seconds we were apart and clear from each other. I had my brakes in hand, when I looked up I had about 4 riser twists. I looked at my glider and saw a cravatte on my right side with about two-thirds of my glider open. I knew I was only about 400 feet agl, so I decided to reach down and throw the reserve. In less then two seconds I was under reserve. It was a convincing tug on my shoulders. :-). So now, under reserve, I began the process of pulling in my main. I was drifting with the wind into the mountain, but had a nice smooth ride going with no oscillations. I finally got fabric from my paraglider and braced for the rest of the ride. I tagged a tall tree with my harness and then drifted for another 2 seconds into two of the tallest trees around. My paraglider lines grabbed one of the tall trees and my reserve came to rest in the other. Safe without a scatch, I was confortably suspended about 75 feet above the ground. A little shaken after having a mid-air. I composed myself for a minute, and then radioed to the safety director that I landed ok, but was in a tree 75 feet up. I then mentioned that I had a mid-air and was concerned for the other pilot. The other pilot had recovered, but there was no response from the other pilot. So, there was speculation that other pilot went down and was injured. I mentioned the other colors of the glider, and after about 15 minutes the other pilot was flying around yelling if I was ok. I realized the other pilot was Ok, but after about a half hour, the other pilot ended up throwing the reserve as well for reasons not related to the mid-air. The other pilot never contacted the safety diector the whole time they were in the air. Once they had the reserve ride and landed the radio finally worked. :-O! Both pilots should always report a mid-air especially if one pilot goes down. Interesting day for both of us. The main thing is no one was hurt.

So hanging in the tree, I was reserved (pun) to the dilemma of what I was to do to get out. I was glad no one was hurt, I was secure hanging in the tree, and rescue was on its way. I did have a 75 foot perlon rope for just this occasion if it was to happen. I was able to lower that rope to the ground. There were limbs on the trees, but because of being suspended between the two, I could not use the limbs as an anchor. Since the rescue crew was on the way, I was not worried about having to self rescue, and was going to wait until they got there. Finally, two fire dept people got there, and assessed my condition. About this time two California State patrol helicopters started to fly around. I was the center of attention. Not really in the best way, though! :-O.

So, finally, the other rescue guys got there, and proceeded to cut some scrub to set up a belay. I was going to have to set my own rescue up with their equipment and use my reserve bridle as an anchor since I could not use any of the limbs. I pulled up three peices of webbing and secured them to my bridle with a safety attachment to my paraglider risers in case the reserve fell from the tree. I then attached a pulley to the webbing, with the rescue guys rope through the pulley. The question now was how I was going to secure myself to the rope. They had a cinch collar or yoke that I was going to put around my chest, under my arms, and when it was weighted it would tighten around my chest, and then I could be belayed down. It went without a hitch (pun), and I was lowered to the ground safely. They had EMS there to check me out, and I was given the A-OK.

The hike out was uneventful. When I got back to the vehicles, they had about 20 convicts there to help with cutting a path if needed for the rescue. I just can't stand all this attention.

Quite the event, and experience. The next day, went to get my stuff. A comp pilot, skipped flying the comp that day, and came to help. Another pilot that was there not in the comp, came to help as well. The meet director secured a local with tree climbing gear, and we were able to get the stuff out of the tree with no damage in about 2 hours. How lucky am I. I am so thankful for the support and caring these pilots and locals had. That is what going to the events is about. Pilots and people help fellow pilots in need. I am full of gratitude.

So, after this event. I was in need of repacking my gear, I had lost my reserve handle, and did not have another one. So, I was finished with the comp. I was able to help on retrieve, and enjoy hanging with the other pilots.

In retrospect, the outcome could not have been better under the circumstances. What's important is when flying close in gaggles, you must see and avoid other pilots. This is a very important rule. A mid-air collision is probably the most feared incident when comp flying. To know that both pilots can be safe, healthy, and OK when emergency equipment is used, and how to use it, is indespensible. An important learning experience for all of us.

Stay tuned!

During the Nats

So, after the training day we all headed to our accomodations for the week. Most of the pilots were to stay at a place called the St Nicholas Ranch, which was a Greek Orthodox retreat. Many in the paragliding group are far from religious, but I thought it was great to have many of the pilots in the same accomodations. This not only built camaraderie, but enhanced friendships. Dinner and breakfast was to be served, and we had shared rooms with 2 to 4 pilots sharing a room. It made for tight accomodations. Unfortunately, they did not clean the rooms for the whole week, so room conditions were a little ripe by the 5th day. Never-the-less, it was still fun to have most of the pilots together for dinner, breakfast, and parties. Of course there was a daily keg!

So, the first day of the comp dawned beautiful. Scattered cumies were popping everywhere, and pilots were pretty excited to play. Since the organizer of the comp was going to fly and compete, we were going to have a new meet director, who ran the local club in the valley. Though her intentions were good, there seemed to be quite a bit of confusion in regards to comp organization, requirements, direction, logistics, and landings. This valley had plenty of options to land, but the locals were not very open to pilots using their property to land if needed. So, we had a lot of you can land here, but not in this field or that field. So, my consensus was not to land. We could land at the forest service property which was a nice field, but what made it interesting to land there was it was a perfect trigger for a thermal. Coming in there was a difficult set up as you were always getting lift. During the comp, I climbed out from the forest service thermal twice.

If you do make it to Dunlap, there is a pilot named Dan who had a beautiful landing zone and property for both hang gliders and paragliders. His friend Greg was super nice, and with permission you can land there, and set up camp for a reasonable fee. It's perfect!

After the logistics were sorted out, we had a task of around 68 km. Out into the flats, and then back to launch. The flying went well, but I sunk out at the second turn point after the start. I made 19 or so km. The hard part was right after leaving the Dunlap valley, several of us groveled for a longtime looking for lift over some powerlines in the next valley which is called Squaw Valley. It was quite interesting landing in private property. Almost immediately, the wife of the farmer rode out in her four wheeler with one of her dogs. When she arrived she was quick to ask what I was doing, and that I was trespassing. I apologized immediately, and said I would have landed elsewhere, but I really had no choice. When I told her that I, along with the other pilots she saw in the air, flew from Dunlap, she became friendlier. Meanwhile, her dog was barking and showing teeth. I began to pack up as quick as possible. She then left. After about 15 minutes, she came back and offered a ride, and apoligized for not asking if I was OK. She then gave me a ride to their house, and as I walked off the property the dog circled me, barking and showing teeth. The second I left the property, the dog stopped and watched me walk away. Good doggy. I was happy for my first cross country flight after a winter hiatus.

On the second day, not so good, weatherwise. We dawned to a lower stratus layer with launch in the clouds. Finally, we decided to head up to launch, and wait up there. I guess this place works even if it's cloudy. The ceiling lifted, and pilots were in the air. We were all cloud flying for about half an hour until the start. Once we got the start all pilots headed west out of the valley, and once to Squaw Valley, perfect partly cloudy skies were everywhere. It was so cool flying just below the clouds and around the clouds to stay out of them. The task was about 50 km give or take a km. This time we all seemed to do better once out of Dunlap. and I finally felt I was flying comfortably again. It was nice to make goal being 17th for the day. We landed in a town called Woodlake. Several pilots landed in a school, and all the kids came out and asked questions, and were excited. Even the teachers were happy to see us. An awesome flying day.

On the third day, a ridge run and then out of the Valley into the flats for an 80 km task. Conditions looked like they were going to be nice, with cumulus over launch, and when the launch window opened, but soon quickly stabilized. I unfortunately made a big mistake, and was in the start cylinder to soon. I had to fly out of the cylinder, and retag the start, and loss precious time. Conditions had stabilized so that it was hard to get back up in good position to hit the other turn points. I finally got the other turn points near launch, and then made it straight across the valley to to save time. There was quite the head wind toward Squaw Valley, I did not think I was going to get out of Dunlap. Many pilots were landing at the forest service. I found the thermal over the FS field, and climbed out. I saw one lone pilot to the south over a turn point called Ruthies. I hooked up with him and we worked the light lift. He left a light thermal thinking there was something better out front, but I stayed and worked what I had. The thermal organized and I climbed out nicely to 5500 msl. This enabled me to clip the Squaw Valley Cylinder, and head toward goal. But, I found myself alone. I could see pilots on some of the other ridges, but we didn't seem we were going to hook up. Conditions were totally blue at this point. I followed a line I had the previous day, and was able to make Woodlake. Then it was total flat land flying over many of the beautiful orange orchards. I was about 21 km short of goal with no organized lift. I decided to head towards goal hoping I would find the one thermal, but didn't. I landed about 19km short. An awesome flight almost completely alone. I was happy to have made the distance considering the stable conditions. Some interesting turn of events for myself the next couple of days. Stay tuned!

Before the Nats!

Hi Everyone! So sorry I have been unable to post the California adventure until now. What a great trip it was with some awesome cross country flying, camaraderie, and epic experiences, both rewarding, and educational.

I left off from the last blog with planning on being in Utah for some training days. After being on skis for the winter, it actually felt good to be in the air again. Weather was ok, glider felt awesome, and to just be in a warm climate after the taste of spring we had in Vail was sweet. I had some great training flights at POM, a light evening southside flight with thermals, was perfect to dial the glider back in, and a ridge soaring windy morning the next day was excellent. Then it was on the road to Dunlap, CA.

The drive is still 12 to 13 hours from Salt Lake to Dunlap. So we stopped near Merced, CA on Friday night, leaving mid morning Saturday to Dunlap. We arrived in Dunlap, at about 2 pm on Saturday afternoon looking for signs of where the Nats headquarters were to be, and where the flying was. Dunlap is situated on the west side of the Sierras in central California. If you go west from Dunlap in about 50 miles you run in to Bishop, CA where the famous Owens valley is. However, it is tiger country between Dunlap and Bishop so flying a paraglider there is likely to pose some issues.

Once we arrived we saw pilots launching from the ridge to the west of town. Conditions looked epic with beautiful, friendly cumulus clouds everywhere. About 15 paragliders were in the air flying in, around, and over the valley. Finally, we ran into a couple of pilot friends, and they guided us to where launch was. Still, not being fully oriented, we followed two hang glider pilots that were obviously heading up to launch. Once the road was found, it was a piece of cake, with good access to get to launch. We arrived at launch at about 3 pm. Conditions were starting to cloud up a little, but it did seem soarable, I chose to watch, as it was a new site. Winds were crossing from the right. Typically winds blow in from the west to southwest, but with the passing of a cold front winds were northerly, which made for over the back and cross conditions.

On top near launch, there is a multi-cabin resort that made for perfect accomodations for the night. My partner Karen and I got a nice little cabin with a wood stove. It was a little rustic, but a pretty nice place to stay with great views. We finally caught up with some Colorado pilots, and met at a great pizza place. Pine, Tom, and other pilots were there, and the party had begun. After dinner, Karen and I went back up to the Cabin, and started a great fire. The cabin was warm, we were happy ,and I was looking forward for the next day of flying.

The next morning, Karen and I drove down to town, as Karen was going to volunteer as a driver for the event. We had to be at breakfast at about 8 am. Karen had to drive to Fresno to get a van with the six other drivers. After breakfast, I drove back to the cabin, closed up shop, and was on launch at 11 am. Conditions looked great. Several pilots were there getting ready. I launched at about noon, and climbed out with several other pilots in the house thermal which was right of launch. Conditions here seemed to work like a machine. It became soarable at about 11:30 am or earlier, cloudbase was generally about 1,000 to 2,000 feet above launch, and winds seemed to be generally from the west to northwest. At least that was the trend for the whole comp.

So, after launching, I had a great tour around the valley, and hit many of the turn points around Dunlap. However, there were many turn points outside of Dunlap toward the flats, near Fresno, that were a big part of the comp. Stay tuned for more.