2 hrs Tiger Mt 6/22/17

Travis, Tim and l had great flights today at Tiger. I launched first and flew for over two hours from 1 to 3:15pm (l think Tim and Travis got almost 2 hrs).  Thanks for the drive and retrieve guys!

During the first hour, we were only able to climb to 500 ft above and sometimes below launch. Then suddenly Tim and l got hooked up with a few monster thermals that propelled us to 2k above launch. I crossed the valley to the north ridge and l can easily made it to the hospital LZ.   I flew to the towers for the first time and was able to see Mt Si clearly and maybe even Rampart if I'd pushed myself a bit more. This was probably my best flight compared to all the previous Tiger flights.  Winds were strong , thermals punchy and mixed with big amounts of sinky air, so the three of us had the whole sky to ourselves most of the time. A lot of arm workout for over two hrs so I'm very tired.  Landing conditions were pretty much dead calm with a few thermal cycles that made for switchy wind.  All of us had great soft landings. 

6 hrs 2 flights at Dog 6/21/17

 My last flight with John Benedict. RIP John!

Dog was really good yesterday (6/21/17 Wednesday). I had two flights, maximum altitude over 4000ft and total of 6+ hours air time.
(photo enclosed).

1st flight:  Myself and Robin launched around noon in strong SW condition (13-15mph)  and flew for over 2 hrs. Made it to Elk and south bowl.  Approx 800 ft above launch. Eric O came out weeds whacking launch and LZ. Thanks Eric !

2nd flight:  Only myself and 4 paras (Dave B, Greg, John, Andrew).  I launched at 4:30pm and flew for almost 4 hours. The wind were still very strong out of west and NW.    I have the whole sky to myself for couple hours, went to Elk and radio towers got over 4000ft. The winds finally mellowed down and turned north so four paragliders were able to fly. Two paras joined me found an abandant lifts over Elk.   Awesome evening flight.

I left Dog at 10pm and will be flying Tiger Mtn today. ETA Tiger LZ in the morning. radio channel 158.400

3 hrs 3 flights at Dog Mtn 6/16 & 17, 2017

 Video Link: 

https://youtu.be/rS_gVuAv7MQ

 

6/16 Fri 25 mins flight (light wind , a bit damp and gloomy sky)
6/17 Sat 1st flight morning sledder with Paul D, Stas and Chad
6/17 Sat 2nd flight from 3 to 6PM 

Report from Paul D:
All,
Dog was fine yesterday with H2 Chad achieving his successful first and second solo flights - way to go Chad!  Also a good bunch 'o pilots flew, both PG and HG.  Many of us did early sledders and later it turned on and many worked the S ridge.  Kenny and I were thermalling with several bald eagles.  There were two huge non-flying groups camping right by the LZ and they were friendly and enjoyed our flying.  Nothing awesome, just consistent, rich lift and Dog awesome.

I recently returned from a trip to Point of the Mountain to work on landings and had two good ones as well.  Oh yeah, and Rick Lai flew forever as he always does.  Rumor has it one local bird actually stayed up longer than Rick but we had a hard time understanding its claim and think it was just grumbling.

Paul D.

2 hrs at Cape Lookout 6/12/17 Monday

https://youtu.be/vw1pOp9S4Uo

Not as good as yesterday but still not bad at all.  It was good from noon to 3pm. The wind was nice and gentle for paragliders too.  I launched at 12:20PM and flew for almost two hours with 5 bags (John K, Mark S, Jason G and couple visiting pilot). Few trips to the tip with 3 paras.  My maximum altitude a bit over 2000ft and it was also an easy trip to North Point too. The wind was about 10 mph or less out of NW.  Tide was coming faster than yesterday due to the bigger waves. We all landed around the same time and  the winds turned almost 90 degree cross out of west at the beach which was a bit challenging for hang to land especially with narrow beach. 

Few PGs headed out to TDM after, and it was too north at TDM. 

7 hrs and 15 mins flight at Cape Lookout 6/11/17 Sunday

https://youtu.be/LR_EVsOFZTQ

The winds at CLO was pretty much dead calm this morning, but then suddenly started blowing strong at 12:30pm. About 5 or 6 paragliders got their flights in when wind conditions dialed down in the evening.

I flew for over 7 hrs, launching at 12:50 and touched down at 8pm.  I didn't expect to break my record from last week of 6 hours so soon. The lifts kept getting better so I was able to surf above the fluffy clouds for hours between 2500 to 2800ft over the North Point.

Report from Greg K:
It was indeed an awesome day at Cape Lookout, the kind that spoils you. Pretty easy to fly from the west tip of the cape to the north end of the ridge. Magic lift to over the clouds, a look at the glory/rainbow/shadow in the clouds. I launch just before 5 PM and only flew a bit more than an hour and a half, but Rick must have been determined to break (actually smash to smithereens) his personal record flight time that he set last Sunday as he was still flying, with both Steve and Alex up there too, when I drove away. Way better day than last Sunday IMHO, more juice, more thermic (yes there were a few that I circled in and climbed), more area to fly. Didn't get as high as Ray, probably only about 2300 or so. It was a bit chilly at altitude and although I had a bit more on than last week, still was chilled before I landed. Sweet spring flying for sure.
Greg

Report from Ray B: 
There was some beach all day. I flew for 4 hours 36 minutes and max altitude almost 3000. Rick maybe getting 8 hours today as he was still up after I landed and someone to fly with besides me. Paragliders landed early but rejoined the flying about 6:00. Not sure why as it was 340 and 18 mph most of day. Ray Others arrived and started flying after 5 o'clock. Awesome day. Ray

2hrs and 40 min flight at Dog Mtn with Colin and Robin 6/7/17

Typical Dog Day Afternoon. 2 hour and 40 min for me.  I topped out 500 ft above launch. Colin and Robin went to south bowl got higher. They flew for two hours.

 https://youtu.be/cxuj_mH3Hxw

2.5 hrs 2 flight at Oceanside 6/8/17

 https://youtu.be/2cA-ntkhIsY

Paragliders Dave B,  Nick B and myself launched at 2:30pm. I was up for one and a half hour, lift was plenty and easy to climb.  Maximum altitude was 600ft above launch.  Steve Seibel (hang pilot) arrived around 3pm and winds direction turned more south so Steve didn't setup. Squall was approaching from South so l decided to landed (at 4:00pm).

2nd flight with Steve (no Paras):
We both flew for an hour.  It was blue sky with some sunshine but very light south wind when I ready to launch at 6pm. I was able to soar for 50 min. Maximum altitude was only 50-100ft above.  Steve launched an hour later (7pm) and the wind got stronger. He got 400 ft above launch and landed 8pm.