Flying Mount 7

In July, we managed to get away for about 1 1/2 weeks and headed west, with stops along the way for paragliding. (Yes, I'm way behind in my blog posts!)

Our first stop was Golden, BC, as our friend Jon was there and was competing in the Willi XC Challenge which would be taking place just as we were leaving. He'd gone early to get some flights in so it was great to join him and to have two vehicles to ease the hassle of getting to launch and then retrieving a vehicle after flights.

Mount 7 (so named for the patch of snow, in the shape of a 7, that remains on the side of the mountain a good part of the year) is both a paragliding and hang gliding launch. The hang gliders can launch in much higher wind conditions so there were times we just watched and waited.

As did these little guys . . .

Andrew launching from the main launch area. Great views of the valley and the town of Golden.

Humorously, I couldn't figure out what the white "V" thing in the LZ was until I was landing and realized it was stones placed in the shape of the number 7.

Me launching. Photos only because I specifically asked Andrew to take some! For a photographer, he's not very keen on taking paragliding photos.

There is a second launch site that Jon took us to which was about an hour and a half hike up the ridge. It was nice to get in the hike and to launch from a higher point.

Looking back at the higher launch (clear spot at the top of the left ridge).

Jon coming in for landing.

Soaring in Invermere

Last fall when Andrew and I were in Invermere, standing on the paragliding launch of Mt. Swansea, we got buzzed by a local sailplane flying by the summit. It intrigued us! Andrew later mentioned it was something he would love to do sometime. Christmas shopping list - check!

Awesome view of Mt. Assiniboine in the distance

The Invermere Soaring Centre is home to several world record flights and certainly the views from up high can't be beat! Once the glider is released from the tow plane, the basic idea is very similar to paragliding -- find the ridge lift and thermals. Sometimes it seemed like the wing was so close to the terrain! Our pilot, Trevor, has over 23 years of experience though so I didn't think there was much to worry about. 

The 007 on the plane confirmed this was the same one we'd seen and taken photos of last fall. 

I insisted Andrew go first as it was his Christmas present. Trevor headed north with him, just past Radium. On my flight, he headed south past Fairmont. Each flight was about an hour long and, for me at least, the highlight was seeing Mt. Assiniboine in the distance. Andrew got a bit of lesson and got to fly the plane for a short while as well. I declined the offer due to feeling a bit light headed and claustrophobic by that time in the flight.

It had been fairly cloudy in the days leading up to this and I'm so glad we waited for a clearer day. Definitely a fun thing to do in Invermere and worth the wait!

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.