Rat Race 19-25 June 2011

[mcelrah]

I have sent in my money. This is a paragliding "teaching" comp, split between "race" and "sprint" (including a Sport category for DHV 1-2 wings). Lectures, mentoring etc. (I see no evidence that hang-gliders could not free fly, say, before or after the competitors launched - could check this out.) My plan is to drive out with HG(s) on car after the ECC (5-12 June) or Eagle Rock fly-in (10-12 June) in time for the site familiarization day on the 18th. (Possible stop at Sandia/Albuquerque on the way out or back? Monsoon season, so would be a lucky day situation...) After the Rat Race, I hope to have scheduled an epic morning sled ride at Yosemite. Options for the 4th of July weekend include Lakeview festival, Chelan Classic, King Mountain meet... I have a date back east the weekend after the 4th, could conceivably fly home and back out west for a more leisurely drive back, smelling the HG/PG roses in between. I am open to doing this whole thing solo or with one or many companions/vehicles... (Sallie may join for the Yosemite/Lakeview or Chelan portion.) - Hugh

[mcelrah]

For Rat Race registration, go to mhpsports.com.

For Yosemite, ya gotta be H4, go to YHGA.com to sign up for a date(s). Dunno what the limit is on any day. There's a calendar for when monitors have signed up (must have a monitor) but you can put in days in case a monitor comes along. I'm in for 28 June (no monitor) and 1 July (monitor). Eves Tallchief sent me a phone for a good place to stay 20 minutes away...

- Hugh

[lbunner]

Hugh, stop and fly at the Crawford's just north of Evanston, WY. It's an excellent PG/HG site that is over 1500' vertical from launch and is easily top landable in both types of glider. I have flown there many times on my trips out west and it was soarable every time. Two wheel drive to the top (last time I was there) and just beautiful to fly over.

[mcelrah]

Ya, thanks for reminding me! I flew at the Crawfords with Bruce Engen and Joe Schad about 2006. It was light at first and I flew my paraglider down. They came and got me then we all set up hang-gliders. The wind came up pretty strong, Bruce launched, then Joe helped me, but he got stuck by himself on launch waiting out a prolonged gust-up. (As the newb on the trip, I always liked the favored second launch position when flying for the first time at a site. After the first, who showed it was possible, but not last so as to have to self-launch.) I need more than a coupla weeks out west...
I did hear something about the road having gotten bad...
_ Hugh

[theflyingdude]

Hugh, stop and fly at the Crawford's just north of Evanston, WY. It's an excellent PG/HG site that is over 1500' vertical from launch and is easily top landable in both types of glider. I have flown there many times on my trips out west and it was soarable every time. Two wheel drive to the top (last time I was there) and just beautiful to fly over.

If you're landing in the main LZ at Crawford's, be sure to have lots and lots of DEET unless you want to become the main course for a mosquito feast.

JR

[lbunner]

Yea, avoid landing at the bottom. The skeeters are as big as sparrows! In the later years we stopped launching from the area north of the radar towers and launched from the area south of the towers. Even though it is a bit shallower and lower, the launch is still excellent. The best part is there is plenty of room to land next to the vehicles. Just set up over the road and figure 8 your way down. The area is relatively flat and there are no skeeters up that high. Caution not to get behind the road too far as there is a rotor back there which could make your landing interesting.

[mcelrah]

Can I get a sample demonstration? - Hugh