FlyBC "Site of the Day Archive Page" - December 2009
San Marcos, Jalisco, Mexico
“Experience is the name everyone gives to their mistakes.” - Oscar Wilde
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Tapalpa Report - we arrived late as usual and I rushed to get ready as it will blow over the back at this east facing site after 1 pm. Light cycles up the front but huge towering CU behind launch on the flats to the west and they had a westerly tilt already, so this will be a leeside flight after launching. I launched into a nice cycle after kiting is some lame ones, the video is featured here . I was soon climbing through 3000 meters in a rough +6 m/s thermal before heading along the rim of the ridge toward the Cross to the North. 
The view to the North, where the Cross is on the ridge dead-center, while on a transitional glide click on the picture for more Mexico Pics - photo by JPR At times the was - 4 m/s, so a few times I got back to launch height (2000 meters), but once you got near the CUs it was easy to get back up fast. Hang on and keep telling yourself to "relax" and let the glider fly like it was designed to do! I was definitely in the lee, as I was getting a 12 kph tailwind flying east along the Cross ridge and the thermals were so strong they were pushing me out when I tried to enter on the transitions, actuallly causing the wing to do 45° turns without input. At times on the transitions I was wishing I was on an R09, and other times I was glad I was on a solid Zoom! I was getting some help along the way from a hawk and some vultures. The hawk was the best! It was in front of me and gliding straight ahead on my track following my line, when it slowed right down and pulled in behind me looking like it would dive for me, when it banked left and hit a boomer to 'base. I followed it and was I rewarded with a rough climb back to 'base too. Usually, I am looking for LZs when I do most XC flights but this day was so good, you could go anywhere and get up or so I thought. Interesting detail from today: I was flying along on some of the glides and noticed large pieces of corn debris (leaves) flying through the air. I mean really large pieces, so some strong dusty must have taken them up to 2800 meters too! I flew north to the ridges west of Zacoalco and was getting +1-2 M/s lift constantly and staying at 2800 meters along that ridge but it was getting shady below and behind me as the clouds drifted. I decided that with this height and the on-coming shade that a run across the flats to San Marcos was in order. I was in huge sink as I crossed to the sunny flats and even when I caught a thermal it was very weak, even the vultures were sinking out. Denied! I flew back to the hump that had a microwave tower on it, to hopefully catch something and that is when I noticed the wind on the ground had switched to North from the previous strong south, so I was on the wrong side of the hump but it was smooth all the way into my LZ next to the highway where Colleen was waiting. The LZ was a huge harvested corn field, with two horses in the far side so I assumed I wouldn't scare them. 
Jim on final at Zocoalco click on the picture for more Mexico Pics - photo by CMV The horse weren't scared, in fact they came to greet me and chew on my wing! Bev should have been here to ride them! I was also greeted by two cute Mexican kids. 
Landing crew in Zocoalco click on the picture for more Mexico Pics - photo by CMV Good flight, what we came to expect in Mexico for the past 11 years flying here despite rotten forecasts. Flight time: 2 hours. Lift +6 m/s. Sink - 4 m/s. Max Altitude 3100 meters (base). Max speed - 59 kph. Distance - 39.2 kms. 
Google Earth simulated flight path as my vario cable is in Harrison Mills click on the picture for more Mexico Pics - photo by JPR San Marcos Report - we had a nice lunch at the nice restaurant in Zocoalco before heading to San Marcos for Colleen's turn at flying. Nice cycles when we arrived and some nice CU above the hill to the north. Colleen launched and was soon soaring in front of the big launch cliffs to the north and as she got near the CU to the north she was "hoovered up" pretty fast. 
Colleen just before hitting "the tractor beam" click on the picture for more Mexico Pics and her launch video - photo by JPR It was gettting shady over the back as the sun is pretty low at 5:30 pm, but Colleen had enough height to fly over the back toward the Pemex after 20 minutes of soaring. I chased after her but the road is pretty gnarly so she beat me to the LZ. The best place to land right now is harvested corn fields, as they are tangle free. Do not land in green crop fields as they may be Chayote fields. Chayote is a pear shaped fruit/vegetable that they grow on vines suspended 6 feet off the ground on a barbed wire matrix. It looks appealing from the air, all green and level and it is hard to differentiate from an alfalfa field until you land on one! After flying we went to shop for groceries as we are attending the Raquet Club New Years Social Event - 150 pesos for a potluck turkey/ham dinner with a live band (Kevin - I think we can book you for next year). I actually made it to midnight and beyond and saw fireworks from our balcony with a nightcap. Happy New Year to All! - Jim & Colleen Normando's Valle Report - Normando reports 4 Lakeside LZ Landings in 5 flights for an 80% success rate. Not missing the east winds in Hope I will bet?
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Joco Report - we got up to Joco around 2 pm and it was cloudy and the hill shaded. Some birds soaring motivated us to head up but they were gone by the time we arrived at launch. | I had a nap on the rusty HG ramp for an hour until the sun came out. Birds were climbing out near launch and we had some cycles come through so I got ready to go. After about 6 attempts (and much swearing!) to get a tangle free wing due to many snags on launch, I was in the air and heading east upwind to San Juan Cosala. The only thermal that was any good was at launch (+2.7 m/s) with much sink surrounding it. 
Jim trying to launch Joco click on the picture for more Mexico Pics - photo by CMV I was tracking the vultures as there were many flying today, but they weren`t going in the gulleys where the thermals usually form, rather they were out in the flats more but still not going up. So my flight looked like a ``Sub-Sammy`` for those in the know. I landed in a plowed field above the highway a few blocks from our house, and took a bus to Joco town to get picked up. 5 pesos. We then headed to San Marcos. San Marcos Report - we arrived at San Marcos to find the launch in shade and no birds flying. When we went up Joco it was sunny here but we felt too early for this site. We waited for sun but it never happened and cycles were lame, so we started driving down. We were partway down when we spotted 3 identical paragliders heading back toward launch from the south. I assumed they came from Tapalpa on a long XC as we hadn`t seen them driving up. 
Czech pilot flying near San Marcos click on the picture for more Mexico Pics - photo by CMV We watched as they climbed up in the saddle over the road, and one pilot was doing extremely well. They had fully-faired harnesses and their wings were the same except for the colours (Axis Mercury). We lost sight of two of the pilots while the third climbed to base over the saddle in light lift under the clouds. We were now motivated to go back the short distance to launch! When we arrived at launch it was now completely calm, and we waited for the sun. Then a few reverse attempts on the flat with more tangles and swearing (ala Jack Carlson). Then I did a great forward launch only to have Colleen yell ``tangle`` which popped out when I hit the brakes to kill the wing. A few more attempts and I was off in what I hoped was a ``glass-off``, but it never happened. I could play in the gulleys and maintain but no going up at this late hour. I setup and landed next to the Czech pilots to find out where they flew from. Beto from Tapalpa was there and already found out that they launched at San Marcos at 2 pm and flew here for 3 hours getting to `base immediately and they did some ``out&returns`` to the south. Not a stellar flying day for us, but with better timing it will happen. I was glad to be in the air after wasting a day in bed yesterday. When I arrived back home last night after dinner I heard the news of the death of a Canadian Journalist and 4 Canadian Soldiers in Afganistan and felt very sad for their families. I know people go to war thinking they are doing the right thing but these mid-east conflicts are never going to end. The Russians tried for 10 years and finally pulled out of Afganistan many years ago. Be safe for the balance of 2009!
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Jocotopec Report - not much to report for today. I was in bed all day with a fever and sore stomach from something I ate, the couple of times I got up it was cloudy but flyable but I wasn`t motivated to leave the house. |
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Valle de Bravo Report - two gloat reports came in last night. | Normando siad he made it to 3900 meters (12750 feet) and was cleared to land at the Lake LZ. No ``ride of shame`` on Day 2 of his trip. Dave Edgar also reported he has been in Valle for 5 days and made it to 12500` today and is enjoying his XCs over the back. Joco Report - a late start due to my Spa appointment and a cloudy sky made it a no fly day for us, we could have flown but it looked too lame so we went to see Avatar in Guadalajara. There is a pretty cool part of the movie where Avatar Jake & Neytiri have just flown together and Jake is saying ``I banked left & then I banked right`` and his arms are out like wings. It reminds me of paraglider pilots after a memorable flight! Belated Woodside Report - Me, Derek, Martina, the other Martin, Louise and her friend Mike all flew Sunday. Sledders for all in really nice smooth fat air. Derek and Martin hiked up for the first flights and flew a couple of more later. Nice day to not be working - Thomm.
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San Marcos Report - the plan was laid out to fly Tapalpa around noon after Colleen`s swim, but we got a late start
and decided to stop for Breakfast Brunch at a nice restaurant on the Libre to Tapalpa. Brunch was 52 pesos each ($5.00 CDN) and was very tasty.
We weren`t in a rush as the NOAA soundings for the area indicated east winds at 10 knots, but when we got to Launch it was strong SW and over the back. | We took the back road to Tapalpa West Launch where it looked pretty ``squirrelly`` with the winds changing direction rapidly and the birds were not looking very stable. So we went back thru Tapalpa town and happened upon a nice market. This was the last of a 3 day holiday for the Mexicans so the town was quite crowded. 
Tapalpa West Launch and LZ click on the picture for more Mexico Pics - photo by CMV After some shopping and a walk thru town, we headed towards San Marcos. We drove up to launch and there were dust devils on the lakebed out front that were lasting 10 minutes or more and not drifting. There were many trikes and ultralights flying around the lakebed too and they looked stable in the air. 
Dusty at San Marcos click on the picture for more Mexico Pics - photo by JPR Colleen`s turn to fly San Marcos and it was gusty but one needs to remember that the air is not dense and the gusts have little effect due to that density. Colleen launched in a lull and was soon soaring about 300 meters over launch. Jorge arrived about 25 minutes into Colleen`s flight and launched and was trying to catch Colleen but no luck as they both eventually landed at Pedro Kordich`s airfield at the bottom. Pedro teaches Handggliding and Trike Flying at this facility. Click on the pictures above to see their flight in high quality. Normando`s Valle Report - after a long trip, I arrived at Valle and was rewarded with a 2.5 hour flight back to the Lake LZ. Heading to the motel for a nap, I guess paragliding is hard work! - Normando Climb for Prostrate Team Report - The Team Spot Casting is happening here so click to follow the progress. They are on the move again as of 6 am PST Dec 27. One more quick message to say all is well here in Plaza Argentina. For those of you not checking the blog on climbforprostate.com, several of us flew from a peak about 450 meters over base camp yesterday. It was so beautiful and we had a chance to check out the landing in case we fly from the summit which will be a miracle. Today the winds are howling at 50-70kmhr. I went with an advance party to high camp 1 after flying yesterday and stashed food and fuel in preparation to depart tomorrow after which you`ll really need to check the blog because it could be a week til I can communicate again. Anyways, cheers and best wishes to all - Kevin 
Kevin at the first basecamp after flying by Brad
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Kelly`s Maui Report - Aloha,
I have a billion photos of lovely Maui sunsets!
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Maui Sunset by KLR We watched turtles feeding in the ocean just below our deck. The whales are just arriving and we can see them from the deck too. The launch is up a narrow paved road with lots of switchbacks - but no big deal. Lots of para-waiting. 
Maui Parawaiting by KLR The LZ is on a sloped meadow/field. The RCs share the airspace but there doesn't seem to be any conflict. Right in front of the LZ is a lavender farm with a little tea house...great place for everyone else to hang out and wait for me. 
Maui LZ by KLR Hope your house hunting goes well for you. See you guys in the spring - Happy New Year - Kelly Boxing Day Report - Colleen had a nice swim in the Raquet Club Pool while I hiked up to the Spa to make an appointment to get my feet ground down. After that we went to Joco Launch around noon and despite the cloudy skies the cycles were pretty good. Colleen`s turn to fly, so she took to the air and had a reasonable flight scoping out the various landing zones below launch, before landing at the El Chante Malecon. It got sunny later in the day but we were tapped out from shopping at the Guadalajara Outlet Plaza, so we went for dinner - Jaime
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Christmas Day Report - Santa found us in San Juan Cosala. | 
Note the Chayote left by Santa click on the picture for more Mexico Pics - photo by JPR We drove to San Marcos to go flying but it looked too south when we got over the top of the Mountain. There were interesting dust devils forming that looked strong enough to resist the meteorlogical winds. 
A dusty at San Marcos click on the picture for more Mexico Pics - photo by JPR We met Granger from Colorado at the bottom of San Marcos and decided Joco would be better and we headed there at 3 pm. Good SW winds at launch got him off fast before it blew out and gust lines appeared on the lake. He appeared to be going backwards at times on his Swift but evvntually he landed at the Malecon below launch. 
Granger on his Swift over Joco Launch click on the picture for more Mexico Pics - photo by JPR Climb for Prostrate Team Report - Live from 13000 feet! 
Kevin at 13000 feet in Argentina Merry Christmas from Camp Argentina, where Mt. Aconcagua towers 10,000 feet over us. What a strange place to spend Christmas! When the sun is out, it is hot and windy. At night the temp drops to minus ten. But all is well, The group is healthy, the leaders are doing a great job and everything is going peachy. These next days are about acclimatizing so we´re doing some small hikes,....to the outhouse and back, huffing and puffing all the way. Tomorrow we might go for our first flight very early in the am. Anyway, love to all. Hope your Christmas day has been splendid and I look forweard to chewing the fat with you in two and half weeks. Sorry about the spelling its the altitude and the spanish key board. - Cheers, Kev The Team Spot Casting is happening here so click to follow the progress.
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San Juan Cosala Report - last minute Christams shopping in Chapala was interesting. This truly Mexican town has few gringos, except for us and a few others, and the street markets were bustling. | We promised each other we wouldn`t buy any presents but we needed some supplies and at least some stocking stuffers. After 2 hours of walking the streets we headed west to our home base in San Juan Cosala, which was also busy. The winds were forecast to be south at 14 kph, but there was no wind at Joco Launch, so we went to San Marcos Launch where it was quite gusty at 3:45 pm. Somehow we both fell asleep, Colleen on the concrete ramp and me in the car. After an hour I woke up and also woke Colleen up to get ready to fly. Colleen wasn`t feeling like flying so I took to the air with every intention of top-landing, but after launching I was `hoovered` up to 300 meter over launch in a minute or less. My new iPhone iVariometer app was not working but I had a backup IQSonic on my helmet so I could tell where the lift was. This was the first iVariometer test other than in the car, but I suspect it was not calibrated correctly before I launched. I tried to spiral down to set up an approach several times and immediately went back up when I quit spiralling. Even big ears wasn`t enough. 
Flying above San Marcos Launch with an excellent wind indicator below click on the picture for more Mexico Pics - photo by JPR The vultures were out `duking it out` with each other and then me as the afternoon wore on. They would come in within 10 meters of the wing and pimp off my lift, before zooming away. 
A local at San Marcos click on the picture for more Mexico Pics - photo by JPR I flew for 45 minutes before heading over the back to the Pemex as it was getting close to dark on that side. We had a wonderul dinner at the El Chante Spa Hotel, roast pork and roast turkey were the only choices but exquitely prepared. As I am posting this Christmas Morning at 7:00 am, the party in San Juan Cosala Square just finished. There was music all night long, these folks know how to party.
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Guadalajara Report - when people ask me if paragliding is dangerous, I say it is probably safer than driving to go flying. | Today we went into Guadalajara to get some Starbucks for Colleen. Those who know her, understand the necessity of such a trip. On the way into town we were just leaving the main highway to take an off ramp when we spotted a late model Ford F-150 with the rear end pointing in the air and the rest of the truck down in a drainage canal. It looked like the driver was lucky as the truck was secure and the canal was dry, and there were lots of bystanders so we continued on a block or so, where I spotted the rear wheel of the truck on the road. I stopped and moved it off the road and then rolled it back to the vehicle. There was still air coming out of a puncture so the accident must have just happened. It looks like the driver hit a concrete median which broke the wheel off the rear axle, which is also why the truck was hung up and didn't slide down the gulley. When I got to the truck it was much worse than it looked, the front end was demolished, windshield broken and the drivers door almost ripped off. The driver was a 30ish local girl and her face was beleeding but she was busy telling people to dial a number so she was breathing okay and appeared not to be in pain. She was however jammed between the dash, steering wheel, seat and the smashed door which wouldn't open. I climbed in the back door and tried to get her to move the seat back, but it was a power seat and I assume the electrical system shutdown after the airbags blew. Ford has a switch that shuts down the fuel pump after a crash so fuel doesn`t keep pumping and start a fire so the seat may be on the same circuits. She was calm, I could see her legs weren`t bleeding although they could have been broken but I couldn`t get close enough to get her out. There wa jagged plastic and steel everyhere in the cab and somehow she managed to not get cut be any of it (probably as the airbag kept her back). The ``jaws-of-life`` were needed and the truck was in a precarious position. If this was on a backroad in Canada and I had my Unimog, I would have pulled the truck back upright and pulled the door off, but the police had arrived and we saw emergency vehicles trying to get to the scene. We left the scene and headed north to find a Starbucks and when we went past the scene 35 minutes later, the driver was just getting into an ambulance on a stretcher and she was still talking on her cell phone. We had an appt. to see a lake view house in San Juan Cosala $115K USD, and another in Chapala (2 BR, 2 Bath) for $85K USD. Real estate has dropped 25-30% in the past 2 years due in part to the US meltdown When were done the real estate tour, it was still gusting and capping`` on the lake so it was off to dinner. It would have been fine for some `top guns` down for flying vacation, but we didn`t go up. Sorry, no flying adrenaline today!
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San Juan Cosala Report - we are getting extremely picky about when to fly, not like when we come down for 2 weeks and have to fly every day 2-3 times. | We had a real estate appointment at 2 pm, so we went shopping in Joco. Great produce stores and little markets on the street. Video stores are everywhere with first run DVDs that are still in theatre for 50 pesos for 3. We even saw a copy of Avatar for 20 pesos and it was just in theatres this week? Marvels of technology these pirates. We looked at some great houses and found a great house for Normando in Roca Azul just south of Joco. $107K CDN for a country home with a large jacuzzi and a separate casita for the grandkids or visiting pilots. Click here for details. This house is 6 kms from Joco Launch and about 10 kms from San Marcos. We were done house shopping around 4 pm, but it was white-capping on Lake Chapala from the SW so we decided to have dinner instead of getting blown downwind. Hopefully we will have a flight report tomorrow.
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Joco Report - we had a cloudier day this morning suggesting some instability and the NOAA soundings for Guadalajara showed an improved lapse rate, so we flew Joco today. | We arrived a bit late around 3 pm, to light cycles. The launch is looking pretty good but the rusty steel HG ramp is still in place waiting to give one tetanus if you scrape past it! 
Nasty Ramp at Joco Launch click on the picture for more Mexico Pics - photo by JPR The birds were trying to soar but just maintaining above the ridge to the west in the same place near the cross that I saw a thermal yesterday. It took some time to launch with tangles and light cycles but I got off with a clean wing and headed west to the cross thermal. 
Jim attempting to soar Joco Launch to the west click on the picture for more Mexico Pics - photo by CMV I turned a few times in the cross thermal but it was pretty small and had much sink around it so I headed east where I saw a bird climb out fast on a spine. I arrived there a bit low but the thermal was there and strong, as I tried to hang on to it and ride the lift up the gulley. I got near the top of the ridge but it was hard to stay in the lift and avoid the sink, as the thermal was pretty small. Lots of wing gyrations but no collapses. After about 20 minutes of the same thermal and not getting anywhere, I headed further east to another gulley and didn't find much so I headed out to the El Chante Malecon (seaside promenade) LZ. Light wind in the LZ as I dropped in and the 2 amigos ran up and asked to help pack my wing. They did a great accordion job but wanted 20 pesos each, which I paid. Flight Stats: Max altitude 2200 meters (launch height). +3 m/s up. -4 m/s down. 45 minutes of hard thermalling but fun chasing the birds.
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San Juan Cosala Report - another lazy day in paradise. | Colleen and I hiked up to the swimming pool around 10 am and then we went for a leisurely drive around San Juan Cosala. We were driving under Joco Launch around 2 pm when we saw three local paraglider pilots trying to soar, but it wasn't happening and two of them landed in the San Juan Cosala Molecon (waterfront). The other was heading east and barely maintaining when I lost sight of him. 
Pilots trying to soar Joco Launch click on the picture for more Mexico Pics - photo by JPR
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Tenancingo Report - Biff and Brad reporting from beautiful La Malinche, Tenancingo. It
was a lottery flight today with light thermals and clouds. | There were several pilots including some from Germany. Biff landed in the outfield by Cabanas while I top landed. We had only a couple hours as we are catching a jet to Argentina tonight from the always interesting Mexico City Airport. We will report to you when we start parahiking Mt Aconcagua. To you Jim. - Brad Henry 
Brad, Keith and Kevin (aka "Biff") before flying La Malinche Despegue in Tenancingo - photo by Daniel Joco Report - Colleen and I had a nice relaxing day around town shopping and enjoying the sun, as it looked too blue for thermals. It was perfect for training but our new students don't arrive til the beginning of January, what a shame. We found some launchable spots below Joco Launch that you can drive up to, in what looks like a pre-development surveyed plot of land at 1700 meters. 
New San Juan Launch View, we didn't fly as it was too lame but some vultures were soaring click on the picture for more Mexico Pics - photo by JPR
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Tapalpa Report - we left the house earlier today and arrived at Tapalpa around noon for Colleen's first flight. It was the first blue day with no development since we got here. Colleen got ready and was soon in the air in a nice breeze and started climbing in the house thermal making it look pretty smooth. | 
Colleen off Tapalpa's main launch on her Ozone Addict II click on the picture for more Mexico Pics - photo by JPR She was soon well above launch and circling north when I lost sight of her while talking to Richard who retired in Ajijic from Quebec, after leaving Air Canada where he was lead captain on the AirBus 340. He was readying his ATOS-VR cheater wing. He says "hi" to Martin Henry 
Richard on Tapalpa's main launch with his ATOS-VR click on the picture for more Mexico Pics - photo by JPR Colleen radioed over the Crossroads LZ that she was landing but couldn't tell the wind direction as the ribbons are so small. I saw some dust coming from the north in a plowed field so I suggested north, I was wrong as it was thermic and the wind was constantly shifting but she had a nice runout on her landing in the alfalfa. I raced down to retrieve her and we were back on top in 45 minutes and the air was just switching to over the back as Richard finally got in his harness. He had to wait some time for an up-cycle and it was a good thng he has wheels as he bumped off the ground on his launch run! He was off and climbing through 2800 meters when he went over the back to the flats to try his luck. I got ready and waited 10 minutes for a cycle and was then sinking until the same house thermal Colleen and Richard found (thermales del casa), and was able to top out at 2800 meters too. I elected to fly further north rather than over the back and soon found the house thermal and one other thermal was all to be had north. It was a blue day and the thermal felt like high pressure ones, ratty and hard to break through the sinky air. I was soon heading for the Crossroads LZ. First time I had landed there in 10 years, normally one can go 15-20 kms further north with my altitude. Maybe tomorrow. We decided that since it was our 18th Anniversary we would stop flying earlier and head to dinner in Ajijic as Colleen was tired of my cooking. We had a nice Italian Fiest and we were home for the nice sunset on our rooftop patio. 
Sunset in San Juan Cosala from our rooftop patio at 7 pm click on the picture for more Mexico Pics - photo by JPR The Ozone BBHPP from Ozone Films on Vimeo.
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San Marcos Report - we had a busy day, Colleen went swimming and I went to recharge the minutes on my Mexican cell phone which ended up getting recharged automatically when I asked them at the local food store to add $50 pesos to my number. Through the magic of electronics all they do is send a text message and you are magically refilled with minutes. | I also went to the local car wash to clean off the 6000 kms of road grime I had accumulated in the past 10 days and before we knew it it was past noon. We went to Tapalpa despite the lateness of the day as the wind in Jocotopec was strong east and Tapalpa faces east but when we arrived it was blowing over the back and the clouds were quite tilted. After a brief discussion with Juan Carlos we headed towards San Marcos, as these sites are less than 45 minutes apart on a paved road. On the way back I stopped to look at a neat CJ-5 Jeep that I saw in a car lot. Nice shape, but well used with a 4 litre Six. 30,000 pesos or $3000 USD and Mexican registration in place. 
Under the hood of the Jeep on the Libre from Tapalpa click on the picture for more Mexico Pics - photo by CMV We decided instead that another unit we saw earlier might be a better choice for a Launch Shuttle. 
The new FlyBC Shuttle ready for your rides to launch click on the picture for more Mexico Pics - photo by JPR We arrived at San Marcos after a fine lunch near the car lot and it was coming up pretty strong from the west and I got ready to fly. Set up area was all mine as no one has been flying here during our trip. I guess the road is too brutal for some folks that don't have 4x4. I floated off launch on the flat part even before getting to the edge and settled back in the seat and hung on as it got pretty strong on the climb-out pushing me backwards at times. 
Floating off San Marcos Launch before the edge click on the picture for more Mexico Pics - photo by CMV Before long I was at 3000 meters and headed over the back under a nice cloud that was forming and the wind was lighter at that altitude approximately 15 kph on the GPS. I got to 3200 meters under the cloud and on the transition to Joco I was getting little beeps but nothing to really turn in. 
On glide for the ridge behind Joco, wind was from the left or NW on glide click on the picture for more Mexico Pics - photo by CMV At the ridge I decided to try my luck on the left facing ridge as the prevailing winds were from that direction and the sun was on both sides of the ridge at this hour. I didn't want to be in the lee. In the photo above you can see the huge powerlines that traverse the ridge. When I arrived at the ridge I could easily cross over them on the right side into Joco as we have done many times, but as I opted for the left side of the ridge due to the wind I soon knew I made a mistake as I was sinking and no beeps despite the prevailing wind and the sunny slope, and I lost enought height to eliminate a change in course back to the right side of the ridge so I setup a landing next to the road in a recently harvested corn field. Colleen was soon there to retrieve me. Total time: 35 minutes. Max Climb rate: +5 m/s. Max Height: 3200 meters. Distance: 12 kms. Back to the house for dinner and movies.
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Manzanillo Report - it was raining lightly in San Juan Cosala so we drove to Manzanillo to check out the launch and the road up but were denied! | Our key didn't work as the lock was changed and another pilot tried to get up yesterday but the road was washed out, so we will use the Manzanillo dunes for training and head to Colima when beginners are ready to fly the high sites. When we arrived back in San Marcos around 5 pm, there was thunder and lightning and huge gusts so we didn't miss out by doing the coastal road trip.
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Jocotepec Report - as it happens even in Mexico, it was hazy this morning so Colleen opted to finish her marking and I went to Joco to get the oil changed after 6000 hard kms of driving to get here. | When we were done our chores we thought we would go to San Marcos but we just weren't motivated so we went to find some movies to watch tonight on the DVD player. Tomorrow: Manzanillo to fly El Toro. Belated Taplapa Report - Russell reported that last week he took off from La Ceja takeoff and flew north past San Marcos takeoff over the back of San Marcos and landed about 10 north of San Marcos. The rest of the pack flew back to La Ceja and he had a long retrieve in taxis and buses.
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Tapalpa Report - we decided to fly the original Tapalpa Launch today as it is safer and affords a better glide out to the house thermals. | It was coming in pretty straight at 2 pm, as we took too long getting breakfast & supplies in the morning, but perfectly soarable. Some of the Whitehorse gang were in the air for about an hour getting high then sinking and eventually all landed at the new LZ by the Crossroads. Dr Russell is back in flying trim after his flu bug, he insists it wasn't 26 oz flu as he rarely gets a hang-over. Colleen launched and showed them how to get high as she flew over their heads at 2200 meters, then flew north for a while before heading in to land with them. Instead of driving to San Marcos and trying to figure how to get 8 pilots up to launch there, we went to the Tapalpa West Launch. We have tried many times to find this site by hiking from both sides and had no luck so this was an important trip even if it wasn't flyable. We arrived at Rancho Pozo Coyote around 5:30 pm and the usual diddle-f*cking was going on and we finally decided that the local Caballero would drive us up in the Rancho Toyota pickup truck for 100 pesos total. 
The map of RanchoPozoCoyote right near the LZ click on the picture for more Mexico Pics - photo by JPR The LZ is huge and the horses don't seem to mind Paragliders. 
The RanchoPozoCoyote LZ from launch level click on the picture for more Mexico Pics - photo by JPR The drive up was brutal as I was the last pilot in the back and the road was pretty rough but it beats hiking. We got to the end of the road and there is a 200 meter hike up to launch to limber one up before flight. The wind was still cycling in nicely despite the lateness of the day. 
Colleen stopped for a break just below launch, the flag is on launch proper click on the picture for more Mexico Pics - photo by JPR Seven pilots took off and I was the last one on launch (as usual), and cycles were getting light. Most had a few passes before heading out to the LZ but Wolfy got up right off launch and was soaring up near the lone radio tower. There had to be a thermal going up the gulley north of Launch. So I concentrated in that gulley and slowly was at Wolfy's height soaring with him for 45 minutes until it was pretty dark. 
Wolfy flying next to me in a beautiful night sky click on the picture for more Mexico Pics - photo by JPR We were still maintaining in the "restitution" but there were no lights in the LZ. I could barely make out the other pilots milling about the LZ when I came over at 300 meters, so I spiralled down to get out of Wolfy's way. Good landing but I had to run a long way as there was no wind. Then the cervezas were flowing to celebrate a great day.
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Tapalpa Report - we spent the morning checking out the Racquet Club where we are now 3 month full members. Tennis, swimming, exercise room, Party Room, and other amenities for our use and no one around even on a sunny Sunday. | We drove down to the old Football Field LZ in Jocotepec to check the water levels and found it replaced by a beautiful boardwalk on the water, with boat rides around the lake and many people enjoying their Sunday. 
Jocotepec has a new waterfront, replacing the football field we used to land in, click on the picture for more Mexico Pics - photo by JPR After shopping for food we headed to Tapalpa and the new Launch Site named "La Ceja Gliderport" run by Juan Carlos. We arrived at 2:30 pm, and were walking around when I heard a familiar voice on someone's radio! It was Russell from Whitehorse, ` who I thought was flying but he was lying on the grass feeling ill from a bug he thinks he caught in Whitehorse. I suspect it was a `26 ounce flu`. 
The view of the restaurant at La Ceja Gliderport with Russell and Jaime blocking the picture (note the overdevelopment behind launch!), click on the picture for more Mexico Pics - photo by CMV Colleen forced me to fly as she left her flight suit at home and there was thunder in the distance! 
Jaime (pronounced Himey) launching at La Ceja Gliderport, click on the picture for more Mexico Pics - photo by CMV I took off and was soon sinking in front where one has to cross a powerline that stretches from the microwave towers down toward Sayula south. I had to fly to the south to avoid the lines as they descend and then once over them I leaned left into the hill to try and grab some lift. None found until past the first gulley and there is a house thermal on the ridge that rises as one flies north. Yep, there it is, don't lose it! I hung on despite getting kicked out once into huge sink and I was soon at 2000 meters (launch height), and climbing with birds at +3 m/s. I saw Juan Carlos fly out behind me and he was sinking even faster and was down below me in the gulleys when I caught my thermal and I saw him "spin up" his wing. I thought "hands up" to correct it but he applied opposite brake and was soon stalled! He released the brakes into a frontal collapse and it soon cascaded into a spiral just above the jungle and out came a reserve. Of course, when he released the brakes to throw his reserve the glider started flying fine before the reserve deployed and he was soon in the jungle. Classic cascade! I got on the radio to Colleen as we were on a different frequency than the locals and she told Russell to contact Juan Carlos and he was okay but deep in the jungle. They had not seen the incident occur from launch because of the terrain. I hung in with the birds and was soon through 3200 meters just below 'base out front, and above the 'base over the plateau west of me where we heard thunder. It was OD'ing fast west of me so I stayed out front where it was partially sunny. I had to remove my sunglasses as they were fogging up due to the cold and moist air at 3200 meters. The birds were having fun coming in close to me, they are vultures with black wings and white feathertips. The kind you see in cartoons circling over carcasses. 
A view north to San Marcos under the clouds as I flew that direction click on the picture for more Mexico Pics - photo by JPR I was getting too close to the clouds for the kind of overdevelopment that was occuring further west so I headed NE towards the Cuota and the sunny ground and was rewarded with sink and only a few beeps. I was on track for the crossroads to the Cuota over the salt flats when I hit some big sink and I was eyeing up some water pits on glide that didn't look too inviting to land in. As I flew over them I saw they were part of a sewage treatment plant. I missed them by a kilometer but could still smell them as I flew over, landing near the road for a quick retrieve and only 14 kms of distance. I stuffed the glider in the trunk and we were soon on the way to San Marcos. Flight time 45 minutes, topped out at 3200 meters, +4 m/s lift and -4 ms sink and very entertaining! San Marcos Report - The road up to San Marcos is the worst we have ever seen, and even with good clearance and a solid low range transfer case it was a challenge to get up to launch. Launch is also in bad shape I suspect because more hangies fly this site and they only need the ramp. I couldn`t talk Colleen into flying so I took out the Zoom and flew off into nice smooth lift climbing to 300 meters over launch. It was getting darker so the lift was soon going to stop so I flew south along the ridge and then popped over the back toward the Pemex to find an LZ to packup and be partway home to save the retrieve process. 
300 meters over San Marcos Launch click on the picture for more Mexico Pics - photo by JPR Colleen`s Joke of the Day - What is the difference between Santa Claus and Tiger Woods . . . . Santa Claus stops after 3 Ho`s!
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Travel Day - due to some bad planning we booked Colleen's flight into Mexico into Puerto Vallarta a few months back, meaning I had to drive there to pick her up at 4:30 pm. | It is a 4-5 hour drive under ideal conditions, and this year there is road work part way plus some Federales doing a road block on the Cuota, so I just made it to PVR airport with enough time to have a cerveza. We loaded up Colleen's gear into the XL-7 and we were off heading north with a plan to stay along the coast, but after turning into many towns we decided on dinner and continuing on to San Juan Cosala. 
The view from the restaurant at Monteon on the Pacific Coast, click on the picture for more Mexico Pics - photo by JPR We made it to San Juan Cosala safely at 11:30 pm, for fireworks and the last of the Fiesta music flooding our patio.
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San Juan Cosala Report - I had a most productive day: checked into the new house we rented til March, bought groceries, secured two new Mexican Cell phones ($29 each with 100 minutes programmed in and free calling to each other), and unpacked the car into the house. | The house is too nice for words, 2 bedrooms, full upper deck with a lake and mountain view. High speed internet all ready hooked up and included. An interesting feature of the neighbourhood is that there are natural hotsprings (aqua termales) that feed the water systems and deliver 45 degree C water to the residences. Free hot water, but it needs to be cooled in cisterns before using it as it is too hot for showers or general use. None the less true green living. 
The view from the house to Lake Chapala - photo by JPR And the views are super! All the way south to the big volcano across the Lake from the back deck. 
The view from the back of the house to the San Juan Hills - photo by JPR I was contemplating going to San Marcos around 2 pm, but I hadn't eaten since the Waffle House at 8 am, so I stopped at Rubin's Restaurant just down the hill for a snack and a drink first. That was a mistake as I ordered one Margarita and the Mexican Appetizer plate and the Margarita went down too well. I ordered a second and was soon enjoying my vacation too well as I finished eating and had a dizzy head and it was now almost 4 pm, too late to get a flight before dark (also unsafe after 2 of Rubin's margaritas). So it was siesta time! 
The view from Rubin's Restaurant to the beach where we used to land - photo by JPR For those unfamiliar with Lake Chapala, it is Mexico's largest body of inland water. When we were introduced to the lake in 1998, it was seriously low and the water was almost a kilometer from the beach. Many squatters created farms out on the flats and there were huge areas to land an XC paraglider or hangglider when you flew from San Marcos or Jocotepec launches. In recent years the rains and conservation methods have risen the lake to original heights, perhaps even higher and the landing options are fewer. Still there are many football fields and farms on the high side of the highway that offer an option. Google Earth is a great way to see these options before commiting to a XC flight here, or a water landing may be a safe option too. 
This shot was taken in January 2004 on an XC flight from Joco Launch to the 5 star Hotel where we landed which is mid-photo, the water is now completely filled in to the shoreline. - photo by JPR Fraser Valley Report - warmer that last week but snow and rain threatening every day. Kevin reports 3 flights off Elk this week, with a milestone of 200 Elk flights to date. That is a lot of hiking! 
This shot was taken in January 2004. Norm shovelling his walks after returning from Mexico . . . He is probably doing that now waiting for his flight on Boxing Day! - photo by JPR
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Mexican Road Trip Last Day of long distance trekking - arrived in Ajijic, after a decent day of driving. Started driving out of Los Mochis, Sinaloa at 7:30 and arrived in Ajijic, our home base after 6 pm wit another 800 kms on the clock. It was just getting dark as I descended down the hill into Chapala and again I had a beautiful red sunset to marvel at. | Highlights: Met a nice California family at a Pemex, they were heading to Guadalajara to have Christmas with Grandma and Grandpa. This seems to be a Mexican tradition as many California and Arizona plated vehicles were headed south loaded to the roof racks with gear and gifts. They must get the kids out of school early? The tolls are getting ridiculous, sometimes 160 pesos for a few miles. Gas is cheaper for sure. But no one want to travel the Libre routes as they are too slow thru all the towns. Some of the many pictures I took on the way to Mexico
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Mexican Road Trip Report - another fierce day of driving but I am chilling a bit as experts say don't drive in Mexico in the dark. The roads are not clearly marked or reflectorized, and lots of unlit bikes and pedestrians on the roadways. Not to mention animals.
| I left Green Valley AZ at 7 am, stopped to buy Mexican Auto Insurance in Nogales, AZ. Great deal $200 USD for 6 months full collision and comprehensive coverage. Crossed thru the Truck Crossing into Mexico and was interrogated by US Customs, well actually they just asked a few questions. I suspect they are trying to catch money heading out of the US. After leaving the US you cross over a sensor that lights either a green light or a red one, red you have to stop and get searched. Green light and you drive into Mexico without even speaking to anyone. I am now in Mexico! and it is only 8:30 am. About 21 kms further into Mexico there is another place to purchase your Tourist Card ($26) good for 180 days, and a Vehicle Permit ($36) also good for 180 days. The Bank takes care of the permits, don't go to the younger clerks as they don't know much. After the Permit Bureaucracy, I was stickered and on my way south on the Cuota. Posted speed limits are 100 kph average, I was doing 110-120 and getting passed frequently. The tolls are costing as much as the petrol, maybe more as I drove 800 kms and only filled up once for 330 pesos ($30 USD). I arrived in Los Mochis, Mexico at around 6 pm and it was dark out with a beautiful red sunset that lasted an hour! I hope the camera captured some of the essence that is the Mexican Siunset. View Larger Map I found a downtown hotel with secure parking for 400 pesos, renovated and airconditioned for the 27 degree temps. Had my first authentic mexican food, Bisteak Ranchero with tortilla harina and 2 cerveza before an early bedtime. Hoping to get to Ajijic tomorrow evening to unpack and go flying Friday morning.
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Road Trip Log Day 2 - I left King City, CA to meet Chad at FlyAboveAll in Santa Barbara around 7 am. It was -2C and frosty in this coastal town! | I was questioning my logic of driving down the Pacific Coast Hwy 101 to drop off a wing to Chad, rather than using FedEx, when I saw that the I-5 was closed between Sacramento and LA due to snow last night! Just like the Coquihalla. All the way to Santa Barbara it was frosty and below freezing until I hit the coast 30 kms north of Santa Barbara, where it finally warmed up. By the time I got to the Mission to meet Chad to go flying it was +12C. Big change in 200 miles. Chad and a bunch were meeting to fly Alternator, but my better judgement said to push on as a new storm was heading for California by Wednesday so I wanted to get further east. I stopped in Culver City to pick up some new radios: VX8-R from Yaesu with BlueTooth! That took an hour before I was back on the road at 1 pm. Then on the I-10 toward Arizona. Pretty fast highways with a speed limit of 75 mph. View Larger Map I arrived at 1100 pm into Green Valley south of Tucson to overnight before tackling the Mexican Border. 2 days and 2900 kms so far.
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Road Trip Report - I left the East Van house at 4:45 am, and was at the truck crossing border at 5:30 am with a 2 car lineup. | After getting the third degree about a 2 month roadtrip I was allowed to drive thru the USofA. I was making good time despite Seattle traffic. 07:00 North Seattle -2C 10:00 Portland OR -3C 14:20 Ashland OR -4C 1430 CA Border -3C - icy on the Siskiyous Pass 1600 Redding CA 1C 1800 Sacramento CA - 1C - where it snowed 3" today 2140 Soledad CA - warming up to 2C 2230 King City CA - where I finally stopped for dinner and a motel. View Larger Map Google says 1708 kms and 16 hours and 40 minutes and that is what it took. I drove pretty fast 70-75 mph all the way. Bladder and gas tank last about 4 hours each. 4 Red Bulls, 3 bottles of water, 3 Diet Cokes, 2 chocolate bars, pack of gum to get me here awake. ps: saw lots of old buses along the way thru OR and Northern CA!
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Party Cleanup - It took all day but the barn is cleaned out. | The plumbing to the Barn has been drained and the new Bathroom has been padlocked until March, so the outhouse is back in business. See you sooner or later, heading south in the Morning.
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Woodside Report - it was too windy to even kite today so Pavol wrote his Novice Exam instead and passed nicely, just a few more flights to get certified. | I received two calls from Nicole and Thomm as they passed Lil Nic Launch today. They both thought they saw a glider way down below launch in a tree, and people standing on launch. Crazy conditions to be even going up Lil Nic with all the NE winds. Colleen had two super helpers in the kitchen - Thomm and Nicole. They produced the best Mexican Dinner for the party that I have tasted! Thanks. The Party started rolling around 7 pm, and the Barn was pretty warm this year despite 70 kph winds from the North. No snow this year at least. Head over Heels played amazing sets as they weren't frozen like last year. Pictures are up here but we need more so send us your pics! Judy premiered her new Paragliding Video at the Party.
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Woodside Report - it was calm when we got out at 11 pm, but no idea about what transpired during the day. Too busy prepping for the Party tomorrow night! | Check the Demo//Used page link here for new stock . Ozone Ultralite 19 (brand new), Ozone Geo II with 10 flights, MiniMax Ultralight aircraft and a great nearly new Unimog (no we aren't discontinuing our shuttle services, rather we are building a larger 16 passenger 4x4 Bus that can take everyone up in comfort). Climb for Prostate Fund-Raising News Report about the "Climb for Prostate Team" be prepared to support the ``cause`` at the FlyBC Christmas Party on December 5th, when we pass the Hat to donate to Kevin and Brad's cause.
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Woodside Report - Dennis and John M showed up around 11 am, and went up to Woodside for a sledder. | Conditions were good all day, no wind as forecast here at least? I was busy sorting out gear for the drive to Mexico, while Eric G and Rudy wrote their novice exams. Both got over 85% and had a good grasp of the concepts required for safe flight. I was also hanging off the house roof helping Matt S fix a persistent chimney leak, and he redid all the flashings and replaced some shingles. If you need some quality roofing repairs or new construction call Matt Severson at 604-729-9489 Northwood Roofing, he is a pro! Check the Demo//Used page link here for new stock . Ozone Ultralite 19 (brand new), Ozone Geo II with 10 flights, MiniMax Ultralight aircraft and a great nearly new Unimog (no we aren't discontinuing our shuttle services, rather we are building a larger 16 passenger 4x4 Bus that can take everyone up in comfort). Climb for Prostate Fund-Raising News Report about the "Climb for Prostate Team" be prepared to support the ``cause`` at the FlyBC Christmas Party on December 5th, when we pass the Hat to donate to Kevin and Brad's cause.
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Woodside Report - there were strong NE winds all day, to strong even for kiting until around 2 pm, when it magicaaly switched to South at Eagle Ranch and it was blowing inflow at the top. | Pavol was kiting and doing so well he decided to focus on kiting instead of going for a flight and by the time he packed up an hour later it switched back to North in the LZ and east on top, so it was a short window today.
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Valley Report - nasty NE winds all day made for NO FLYING. It was beautiful all day with glorious sunshine but cold. | Martin N and I went to Harrison and got a load of firewood for the party, thanks Martin! If anyone needs firewood locally the place is just north of the Crossroads Esso on the east side of the road. Full moon tonight and clear skies for Saturday night. Hmmmmmm? Night flight anyone? Bring a strobe and a headlamp to be legal :-)
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Woodside Monsoon Report - as forecast it started raining by 1130 am, and hard. Even driving was difficult as it was gusty and lots of pooled water on the roads. | Later it was sunny and calmer but no one was out at the Ranch so I worked on Bus Electrical stuff cleaning up the cab for better glider storage. Biff and Brad's new Colorado Video shot last weekend Biff and Brad Do Denver, CO from Kevin Ault on Vimeo. |
FlyBC Paragliding Past Site of the Day Reports
October 2009 Site of the Day archives - Women's Fly-In in Chelan WA with the Barbie Theme, took first place honours again! More good soaring flights of 2 hours plus on special days.
September 2009 Site of the Day archives - more decent flying weather with a few road trips to escape wind by heading to Savona.
August 2009 Site of the Day archives - best flying conditions in years with little rain. My first hike up Cheam with pals went well.
July 2009 Site of the Day archives - the FlyBC SIV in Revelstoke was a blast, 280 SIV flights and only one wet pilot intentionally that is. Jeremy wished he had landed in the water.
June 2009 Site of the Day archives - dry all month locally so lots of flying, Al has been test flying the new ShotGun launch near Stave Lake having great flights out to Woodside.
May 2009 Site of the Day archives - local flying is getting great with nice XC's! Bridal was working well. The new bathroom was installed in the Barn at Eagle Ranch enriching the FlyBC experience.
April 2009 Site of the Day archives - we escaped the local weather by flying in New Zealand for 3 weeks. We will be heading back soon!
March 2009 Site of the Day archives - we were flying locally in snow, relying on Derek's sleds and chains on the 'Mog to get up Woodside.
February 2009 Site of the Day archives - the Worlds PG Championships in Mexico was hard work for the Canucks, the tasks and speeds were unreal.
January 2009 Site of the Day archives - Manzanillo, Mexico was a BLAST, many new sites flown and we have a new tour Destination for 2010.
December 2008 Site of the Day archives - the annual FlyBC Christmas Party was a cold success with Head over Heels entertaining us all night. And we left early for Manzanillo, Mexico on Dec 28th.
November 2008 Site of the Day archives - some soaring between rain storms, and it was pretty dry in Agassiz.
October 2008 Site of the Day archives - we went ot the Women's Fly In on Chelan for the annual Halloween Costume Fly-In, great conditions there to offset the wet month on the West Coast. Steve Fosset's crash site was found in Nevada after a year of searching.
September 2008 Site of the Day archives - great student conditions at Woodside and Bridal all month, with 10 students getting signed off this month, a record.
August 2008 Site of the Day archives - our second SIV Course of the 2008 season went well at Sale Mountain near Revelstoke (except for a few water landings and minor injuries). Wet all month at Woodside except the weekends.
July 2008 Site of the Day archives - our first SIV Course of the 2008 season went well at Sale Mountain near Revelstoke.
June 2008 Site of the Day archives - a few good soaring days at Bridal, lots of new students this month.
May 2008 Site of the Day archives - the cost of gas is keeping pilots at home and the weather isn't helping either. One good XC in May for me, leaving Woodside with Norm and Martin H and ending up at Elk at 1600 meters before landing by Hopyard Hill. 3 hours and 85 kms later by the GPS.
April 2008 Site of the Day archives - worst weather in years but we flew every day we could.
March 2008 Site of the Day archives - more snow and still hiking to launch at Woodside! But some major airtime for the locals committed to coming out to fly.
February 2008 Site of the Day archives - more snow in BC than I can remember in 25 years of living here. We are still hiking to launch at Woodside!
January 2008 Site of the Day archives - worst weather in years so we went to Mexico and logged many hours of airtime, while it snowed heavily in BC.
December 2007 Site of the Day archives - worst weather in years so we went to Mexico on Dec 29th for three weeks.
November 2007 Site of the Day archives - Colleen and I went to California to fly the new Falcon A-16 Advanced Ultralight prototype and it flew very well. Some good soaring days at Woodside, some folks were still trying to fly Bridal but that is a waste of time this late in the season.
October 2007 Site of the Day archives - mid-air at Woodside caused Martin H some paraglider damage, some great soarable days. The Women's Fly In was a success with the Canuck Team taking top spot for the theme of "Celebrities in Rehab".
September 2007 Site of the Day archives - we re-discovered and flew 'Horsefly' Launch for the first time, some mayhem at Woodside due to tree-suck, lots of good soaring in afternoon glassoffs, a great Indian Summer until late in the month when the rains came early. Derek, Martina, Robin and Diane went to Europe. Kirill went to Australia for a paramotor Fly-In.
August 2007 Site of the Day archives - fun two weeks at Mara Lake, followed by steady flying at Woodside and Bridal, making up for the dismal spring and summer.
July 2007 Site of the Day archives - good flights at Bridal, some mayhem at Woodside from visiting pilots.
June 2007 Site of the Day archives - more crappy weather on the weekends. Some awesome flights between showers as Norm and Thomm flew to Mission on the last day of the month.
May 2007 Site of the Day archives - flyable every weekday, but the Fraser Valley XC Comp got crappy weather on the weekends, although it was student flyable.
April 2007 Site of the Day archives - good flights are starting. Some complete triangles from Woodside to Bridal and back, some "musical triangles" from others.
March 2007 Site of the Day archives - fifth month of crappy weather on the Coast. We went to Santa Barbara for some flights, and to dry out. Some good days were also recorded locally.
Febuary 2007 Site of the Day archives - fourth month of crappy weather on the Coast. So we stayed in Mexico.
January 2007 Site of the Day archives - third month of crappy weather on the Coast. So we went to Mexico to fly Colima, Tapalpa, and San Marcos, while Brad and gang headed to Tenacingo, Mexico.
December 2006 Site of the Day archives - more ugly weather on the Coast. Severe winds damaged trees and property so not much flying happened. Some good flight reports from local PGers travelling world-wide.
November 2006 Site of the Day archives - the wettest November on record. We flew a few good flights but mostly we were rained out.
October 2006 Site of the Day archives - lots of good days with 3-4 hours airtime. The Women's Fly-In was on again in Chelan with about 18 Canucks, and a good day Saturday with 85 registered pilots.
September 2006 Site of the Day archives - still soarable in the Fraser Valley, little or no rain. Colleen is back flying! Some mayhem in the valley.
August 2006 Site of the Day archives - a great flying month everywhere, we had a super successful SIV clinic at Mara Lake with everyone SAT-ing and heli-ing.
July 2006 Site of the Day archives - road trip to Lumby, then on the 8th Colleen spun in below Gloria cancelling her summer plans (but she is recuperating well).
June 2006 Site of the Day archives - the Valley dried out, and we flew most days and every weekend.
May 2006 Site of the Day archives - more rain that ever imagined in the Fraser Valley. Very few soaring flights and even less XC.
April 2006 Site of the Day archives - the Easter Bunny was "run over" on Kilby Road, plus the train wreck on April 1.
March 2006 Site of the Day archives - a new pilot was born, Chloe. We also flew a few days between showers, some long flights up to 4 hours. A few Out & Return Flights to Deroche and Bear.
February 2006 Site of the Day archives - another wet month with some soarable days (2).
January 2006 Site of the Day archives - some flying on Elk and Woodside, smart pilots headed South for great Mexican or Chilean flying.
December 2005 Site of the Day archives - some flying on Elk and Woodside, smart pilots headed South.
November 2005 Site of the Day archives - rain, snow and not much flying.
October 2005 Site of the Day archives - Women's Fly In in Chelan yielded two soarable days before the snows hit.
September 2005 Site of the Day archives - dry most of the month. Some great 4 hour flights at Woodside getting to cloudbase most days. Three crash-landings in the same clearcut by pilots scratching too low, but no injuries.
August 2005 Site of the Day archives - road trips to the Interior gave us an opportunity to rag out some gliders at FlyBC SIV 2005 (Part II). Also a great road trip to Savona.
July 2005 Site of the Day archives - good flying all month, no rain but some windy days shut us down. The Willi started in Golden with a few good days, but one tragedy as Charles Warren perished in a crash near Harrogate.
June 2005 Site of the Day archives - too much rain, but good days to fly between showers.
May 2005 Site of the Day archives - our Instructor/Tandem seminar yielded some good flying. Our May 2005 SIV Clinic had a good turnout, with many wet wings/pilots! Many nice flights at Woodside and Bridal, with some long "out & returns" at Bridal.
April 2005 Site of the Day archives - some great soaring at Woodside and Bridal. Sad news from the US Hanggliding Nationals as Chris Muller crashes at goal.
March 2005 Site of the Day archives - we had to head out of town to Savona a few weekends due to wet weather on the Coast. Wetter than normal according to Environment Canada.
February 2005 Site of the Day archives - some good soaring despite early time of year. Flights as long as 3 hours at Woodside, some good flights at Whidbey Island for first timers, too!
January 2005 Site of the Day archives road trips to Mexico, not much flying locally due to strong north winds and rain. Record rain kept Eagle Ranch quite wet for kiting.
December 2004 Site of the Day archives a dry month with some good soaring including a fantastic day on Dec. 11 where we thermalled for 2+ hours!
November 2004 Site of the Day archives more record rain. We installed a fireplace in the barn to keep pilots warm between winter flights.
October 2004 Site of the Day archives more record rain, but sweet soaring between showers. Many new students signed up and making quick progress. We missed the Women's Fly In for the first time in 9 years, and there was some interesting flying on the Sunday!
September 2004 Site of the Day archives rainiest September on record for the first 3 weeks, made flying difficult. But Alan and others logged some pretty nice flights later in the month. Lots of student tandems for both Colleen and Jim.
August 2004 Site of the Day archives Great Maneuver/SIV/ACRO course at Mara. Jack got wet! Some great soaring at Woodside. Norm made it 68 km from Mara to King Eddie, Derek made it from Lumby to Enderby the opposite direction for 67 kms. We also did our BC roadtrip from Ashcroft to New Denver, and flew everyday.
July 2004 Site of the Day archives the Willi was on at Golden. We missed the mayhem due to work and school commitments but Norm did a great job representing the West Coast.
June 2004 Site of the Day archives Canadian Nationals came off with many great rounds. Pemberton-Whistler Championships were blown out most days so we headed to Cornwall.
May 2004 Site of the Day archives great flying at Woodside and Bridal. We held a very successful SIV Course at Mara Lake, and hope to run another one in August if they keep the forests open.
April 2004 Site of the Day archives good flying in the Valley. The Fraser Valley Cross Country PG Series was successssful.
March 2004 Site of the Day archives Nicole won in Brazil, otherwise the month sucked for flying time.
February 2004 Site of the Day archives some local flights extended to an hour with vigourous scratching above the trees. Good paramotor month.
January 2004 Site of the Day archives Mexican road trip yielded 20 hours of flight and a wet Canadian January kept most local pilots on the ground.
December 2003 Site of the Day archives we flew a few times but it got really cold at the end of the month as we prepared for a gala New Year's Party for 40 of our close personal friends and neighbours.
November 2003 Site of the Day archives windy and wet with the odd good soaring day, not many pilots out these days.
October 2003 Site of the Day archives Women's Fly In was great fun, some good soaring days mid-month, most of the students are signed off.
September 2003 Site of the Day archives good conditions until the last days of the month when it got stable. Most days were flyable at Woodside or Bridal.
August 2003 Site of the Day archives Forest closures made the end of the month a non-flying period unless you headed to Blanchard. FlyBC SIV 2003 was a great success with 9 stunt pilots and no deployments or crashes.
July 2003 Site of the Day archives we flew most days early at Woodside until it got windy, then over to Bridal. Good Golden flying reports from the "Willi".
June 2003 Site of the Day archives we flew most weekdays at Bridal, Woodside worked most weekends. Bridal Air Races had one great day with only two tree landings!
May 2003 Site of the Day archives not a great weather month on the coast, especially on the weekends but a few pilots managed to get some great airtime at Bridal. The Nationals were held in Lumby and it didn't rain!
April 2003 Site of the Day archives rain for 28 of 30 April days, but we managed to get a few flights in between showers. Even the golfers were complaining!
March 2003 Site of the Day archives some high spring flights in early March, but not a great weather month. Still no HPAC Insurance!
February 2003 Site of the Day archives some nice long spring flights in late February. HPAC Insurance expired on Feb 14, so many pilots stayed home instead of getting USHGA coverage.
January 2003 Site of the Day archives lots of rain all month in BC so we bailed and headed to Tapalpa Mexico for three weeks. Norm and Lucille had a great XC flight the first day we arrived.
December 2002 Site of the Day archives lots of rain all month.
November 2002 Site of the Day archives not a great flying month, lots of rain in the beginning and then super stable and inverted for the balance of the month. Even the Savona Road Trip wasn't that great. Looking forward to Mexico!
October 2002 Site of the Day archives Still soarable some days, great fun at the Women's Fly In 2002 in Chelan. Allan logged 15 hours and only flew a few days. Most of the students are ready for signoff soon to get ready for Mexico trips!
September 2002 Site of the Day archives Still soarable most everyday! Some scary incidents at Woodside. Fun flying at Ashcroft.
August 2002 Site of the Day archives More spring-like days with super lapse rates, great fun up-country at Revelstoke and Mara, with some good XCs for all.
July 2002 Site of the Day archives Some spring-like days with super lapse rates, but still rather wet at times.
June 2002 Site of the Day archives another rainy and windy month with great lapse rates, some great flights at Bridal with some getting above Cheam Peak. The Club Cup was nearly rained out but they got one valid task in on Sunday June 30.
May 2002 Site of the Day archives an extremely rainy month with the more spring mayhem, another reserve deployment at Lil Nick and a pilot crashed at the top of Deroche Mountain, uninjured but with a ripped glider and long hike down the mountain. Colleen placed 5th place at the Canadian PG Nationals in rainy Lumby!
April 2002 Site of the Day archives a rainy month with the usual spring mayhem, one reserve deployment at Woodside and a pilot hit a parked car at Bridal LZ, fracturing his leg.
March 2002 Site of the Day archives a few great days days with lots of snow and rain mixed in.
February 2002 Site of the Day archives two epic days already (4.5 hours and 2.5 hours!).
January 2002 Site of the Day archives Mexico vacation shots, some local flying but it was wet on the coast.
December 2001 Site of the Day archives pretty stable locally, wettest December on record, some good days sprinkled thru the month.
November 2001 Site of the Day archives pretty stable locally, had some good days at Woodside +2 hours, lots of rain later in the month.
October 2001 Site of the Day archives pretty stable locally, but great flying at Chelan at the Women's Fly In.
September 2001 Site of the Day archives starting to get pretty stable, more sled rides forecast for October.
Aug 2001 Site of the Day archives Mara, Bridal, till some great flights locally
July 2001 Site of the Day archives Road Trip Month, Golden, Mara, points east!
June 2001 Site of the Day archives Great Month, 3 hours of airtime for some pilots every time they flew Bridal Lower! Some getting up to 6 hours in a single flight!
May 2001 Site of the Day archives Unstable Month, 2-3 hours of airtime for some pilots every time they flew Bridal Lower!
April 2001 Site of the Day archives Rainy Month, not as much airtime for some pilots
March 2001 Site of the Day archives Spring has Sprung!
February 2001 Site of the Day archives Spring is in the Air!
January 2001 Site of the Day archives - Mexico Flying Trip
December 2000 Site of the Day archives
November 2000 Site of the Day archives (great month for airtime!)
October 2000 Site of the Day archives
September 2000 Site of the Day archives
July - August 2000 Site of the Day archives
June 2000 Site of the Day archives
March - May 2000 Site of the Day archives
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