Things in the LZ

When paragliding, you always check out the LZ before your flight. Where's the wind sock (or flagging) that will show wind direction? Where are the hazards (fences, power lines, trees, etc.)? You're not looking at the details, only the big things that could affect your landing.

But when on the injured list you have the opportunity to inspect things further while waiting for your partner to land. Here's a few things I saw in the Swansea landing zone.

Killdeer hiding in the grass or speeding through the air.

The osprey squawking from her high perch.

Sparrows flittering about.

Relics from times past.

Flowers (or weeds?)

The sound of rushing water.

And a good partner will keep an eye on the wind sock and report approximate wind speed and direction to the pilot as they come in, just in case it has changed since they went up to launch. Windsocks or flagging are notoriously difficult to see from the air before it's already past decision time! Having said that, a pilot's vario will give them wind direction information as well. 

And then there are the things, like a bright pink bra at the base of the wind sock pole, that make you scratch your head and say "Hmmm???" Perhaps someone was really excited about a good flight??

Flying Swansea

Andrew has managed to get a few flights off Swansea in Invermere over the past few days, as the weather has gradually improved. The first day was a short flight between rain showers but he managed to get in some longer ones, including an evening flight.

It's been great for him (not so great for me) that I've been on the injured list as I can drive him part way up to launch. The van would likely make it all the way but he wanted to get in a bit of hiking (45 minutes vs about 1.5 hrs from the bottom) and it wouldn't be the greatest for the van going further as the road got steeper and more rutted. At least the van has more clearance than our Prius!

Here's just a few random shots from his flights.

Hiking, Flying, New Wings

It was a spur-of-the-moment trip. Our new paragliding wings were going to arrive in Invermere (FlyingMax) and we hoped we'd get a chance to fly with them before winter set in.

It's questionable as to whether we actually needed new wings (we don't!) but the reviews of the new Phi Symphonia have been very good. They have a higher safety rating than our present wings but are higher performance. Both of which, for the amount of flying we do, is a good thing. Plus, Andrew was buying so who am I to argue?!?!?  ;-)

The wings definitely have a different feel to them so it was great to be able to get out to the training hill in Invermere to do some ground handling and get in a few launches and landings there before moving on to something bigger.

It's not as pretty as my purple and blue wing but Search and Rescue orange was a suitable alternative . . .
 because everyone knows colour is most important, right!?!?!   :-) 

One thing I'm super happy about with this wing is that it fits into my reversible harness backpack. It's so small and light!  :-)

The weather didn't cooperate fully and none of the locals were flying but Andrew and I drove up to the Swansea launch late one afternoon. Conditions were flyable (but very cloudy so no thermals) and Andrew got in a short flight to better test the wing. I tend to be more conservative (aka chickenshit) and it would have meant a long evening hike back up to get the car so I didn't fly. But took the big camera and got some good photos!

While still checking conditions, a sailplane buzzed us and took a few passes. Humorously, it was "007." Both pilot and passenger smiled for the camera.

Just seconds later, a juvenile bald eagle flew past. He wasn't quite as cooperative as a photographic subject. 

Then it was Andrew's turn. Consistent 10 mph winds and great launch. Enough ridge lift for a couple passes and then cruise around the flatland for a bit before landing.

So many deer! 

Prior to this we managed to get in a bit of hiking. Banff's Tunnel Mountain, in the snow, to break up the drive; to the top of Mt. Swansea, in the rain, to check out the launch; and Dry Gulch near Invermere while waiting for weather to cooperate for flying. 

And I had to add this food photo just because it looked so pretty!