South Side Speckin'

Had an excellent South Side session today, and it was was just what was needed after weeks of rain. It started out light, but quickly picked up and continued to build throughout the day. In the lighter stuff I took the opportunity to test-fly my new Falcon 3 Tandem (which flew sweet). Then I set up the Sundancer for some free-play :-)

I invited Dangerous Dave out, and offered him the use of my wing. Dave is one of the few I trust completely with my hang gliding equipment- and for good reason. He's pretty talented, pretty experienced... pretty amazing I must say.

As much good ribbing as we give eachother, I step up and admit when I'm beat... and today Dave took me to school... on my own glider. Click on the shot below to see it bigger...

3D specking out in the Sundancer

It would seem we have discovered the first (and possibly only) flaw with my new glider... the custom inlay artwork is absolutely useless because the glider climbs too well. I haven't had a bad flight on it since I got it... unless you count tagging the summit of Lone Peak, from the North Side, and freezing my tuckus off...

All kidding aside, Wills Wing did a FANTASTIC job on the new wing, and I am deeply grateful (as was Dave after flying it too)

Wes flying Inspo

Here's my friend Wes flying "Inspo", or Inspiration, UT.

Fly Utah!

Last summer I decided to put together a short promotional film about hang gliding. I wanted something that could be outward-facing, and attract new pilots to the sport. But I also wanted something that could be shown to existing hang glider pilots, to share how amazing the flying in Utah is. While it's not always a good idea to try to appeal to multiple demographics with the same piece... I think this manages it well.

I also wanted something short- something that grabs people, pulls them in for a few minutes... and leave them wanting more...

Without further ado, I present: FLY UTAH!

Click HERE to watch in HIGH DEFINITION on Vimeo.com

Special thanks to all those who helped me with this project- there's a lot that goes into making something like this, and a lot of people really came together (and put up with a lot from me) to make this happen. Most notably my wife

Hope you like it!

Spring has Sprung

Good 'couple-o-days on the Wasatch!

May 1 we had a great day on the North Side, getting 9k+ over the bench with relative ease! Sean AKA IrishGuy flew for something like 4+ hours, and I tagged Lone Peak (my max alt was just under 11,500 ft msl).

May 2 we flew Inspo, and I was able to get up over Cascade, which is about 11k high... then I jumped over to Mt Timponogos, but wasn't quite able to reach the summit (12k). Flew for 2.5 hrs and thoroughly enjoyed the views over the Wasatch.

Google Earth view of my flight yesterday over Cascade/Timponogos

These were my first two flights in Utah on my new wing- a Wills Wing T2C 144. I'm really digging it! It handles great, and it has enough eye-candy (in the form of carbon fiber everything) to last me a lifetime! I also went for a custom inlay design, so it's very unique. There will be no question which one is me from now on!

My new T2C bling wing... "Sundancer"

HUGE thanks to all of the guys (and gals) at Wills Wing! Just when you think you can't possibly enjoy flying any more, you get a surprise like this and it's like being a little kid all over again! Loving every minute...

Mecca to the Candy Factory

We're just getting home from our annual spring trip down to SoCal. I try to plan it so I have a few gliders on order that will be ready about the same time, and then picking up said gliders saves me on shipping and usually about covers my share of the cost of the trip. Wouldn't say it SAVES me any money- but I spend about the same, and I get a trip out of it... so I can't complain...

Arriving at Andy Jackson Flight Park

This year a lot more people went than previous trips, which was awesome! In my car it was Tim Rhinesmith, Dangerous Dave Gibson, and myself. Cal also drove down, with Shadd and Wes in his car. Karl and Emily Yates went down, too. And Robert Bagley drove down with his Airstream trailer.... for a grand total of 9 Utah pilots. Turned out we hooked up with another UT pilot down there, Neil, putting us at an even 10 Utahns.

This year the weather wasn't the best, but we still managed multiple flying days, with one of them being quite good considering the low cloud base. Of course none of us went in the clouds, for that would be illegal.

In-flight view of my new T2C, photo courtesy Robert Bagley

This trip was extra special to me, because I was picking up my new T2C. I've been calling it the 'bling wing' so far, but I think the "Sundancer" will be it's final name. It's such a fun, nimble glider! I felt right at home on it, thanks to Dave lending me his T2C last week for some re-currency training.

"The Sundancer", my new T2C with all the trimmin's

And the top- tight and clean

Compared to my last T2(Aluminum), and Dave's T2C... this glider is the best of everything. It handles as good or better than my aluminum T2, no easy feat... and it's FAST. Faster than Dave's C, even with his sprogs lowered a touch. Although Dave's getting a new sail, so I don't foresee any advantage over him this season...

FAST! Getting a thorough test flight on the new bird. Photo courtesy Crestline Soaring Society

All-in-all it was a great trip, and we had lots of fun. The CSS group and site(s) are top-notch, and I have to recommend a visit there if you've never been... or if you haven't been lately. Good flying with great people, what more can I say?

Carbon Obsessed. Base tube, down tubes, keel, cell phone case, WEDDING RING...

Climbing

Last winter, my friend Ben came out to visit and together we ski-mountaineered Lone Peak. This year when he was out the snow pack wasn't as reliable, with recent rain and very warm temps, so we decided against another mountaineering project.

Here's last year's Lone Peak video, for those that may have missed it

One of the days was so nice and warm, Ben decided to take me climbing in American Fork Canyon. I'm going on 4-years living in Utah, and haven't climbed since I moved here! I've heard how much climbing there is, and how great it all is... but with my unreliable shoulder I couldn't reach up over my head, making climbing pretty difficult. But that's all behind me now, and the shoulder's repaired nicely.

Ben did some research online, and found a nice area in AF canyon with bolted sport routes and some easier climbs for me to get the rust off on. And boy was there rust! I should mention that I wasn't very good to begin with... but oddly enough taking 4 years off didn't make me any better!

Tying in, photo by Ben Carlson

I did ok on my first day back... made up one climb pretty well, made it to the (mini) roof on another, but couldn't quite figure how to get my legs up over so I stopped there, and made it to the top of another but only with some pretty heavy coaching and encouragement from Ben. After just those three routes I was feeling pretty tired, so I called it a day and continued to belay for Ben while he topped 5.10 after 5.10, making it look so easy even I was thinking I could do it (I can't).

AF Canyon is so freaking scenic, and the perspective while climbing just adds to that

All in all, it was a great day! It was fun to get the dust off my gear, and to learn about some challenging (for me, anyway) sport routes just a few minutes from our house! I hope to take Des back there this summer. Climbing is such a fun sport- the challenge is so welcome, and I love the mental games involved. Problem solving the next move, figuring out how to balance yourself so you can move a foot or hand to the next hold. Trying to control breathing and every body movement. Did I mention that I suck? But we had fun, and I'm pretty sure that's the whole point!

Chalking up while Ben gives me some pointers, photo by Ben Carlson

South Side Session

Winter Playground

If you've read this blog before, you likely already know that Utah is quite the playground. But usually, I'm posting about summer activities... this post (and the last), are about the joys of WINTER in Utah.

It's been a crazy winter, lots of sun, and more recently, lots of snow. Until recently, mother winter had been holding out on delivering as much white champagne fluff as we are usually so blessed to receive... Jan and parts of Feb brought us wild temperature swings, from 60's and raining-in the mountains- to 20 below zero at the base of the mountain. Wind chill not yet added!

But lately, temps have been moderate, and snow's been a-fallin'. And so we play!

Following Des and Dave through an area Dave calls "Sticks and Stumps"

Today was a big day- today Des and I went to Snowbird with our dear Uncle Davie. The snow was deep, and the company was outstanding. And then it happened.... Des got her very first (and then her second, and her third...) FACE SHOT.

For non-skier readers, a FACE SHOT is when you're skiing powder, and it's so deep it comes up over your head, and hits you in the face. Doesn't sound fun... but it is! It's a pretty special experience when the snow is light and deep enough for repetitive face shots!

Des gets initiated to the church of the Face Shot

And just in case you don't think there's good flying to be had in Utah in the winter months... here's Cal Hadley flying a site called Stockton Bar, in the small town of Stockton, UT

Cal flying his U2 at Stockton Bar, UT

'Bird Dog Day

Pretty epic day at "the Bird" today. Skied with Snowbird regular (and extraordinary pilot) "Dangerous" Dave Gibson... who knew all the right spots to go. Although, honestly, the snow was so good I don't think you could go wrong!

Anyways, definitely my best powder day of the year to-date. Good turns, good talks, good terrain...

Powder Day at the 'Bird from Ryan Voight on Vimeo.

A GoPro HD helmet cam of a face shot :-)

Frigid Febuary

We've officially started the shortest and coldest month of the year... and so far it's living up to it's reputation. Driving in to work in the morning, I've seen as low as -17 on the car's thermometer. For those of you that are mathmatically challenged, that's a full 49 degrees BELOW freezing. YOUCH!

That's one cold Scooby Doo!

When it's this cold, it's sure hard to think about flying. I now have my new T2C (currently lacking knickname) on order, as well as a new tandem glider. I'm also planning a trip to SoCal in late April to pick up said gliders... more on that as the date approaches. Thinking either Easter weekend (second to last weekend in April), or the last weekend in April. Dates will depend on Uncle Davie and Sky Shaddo's work schedules...