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Hangola
Sunday May 3, 1998

Hangola
Wednesday May 6, 1998

On Sunday, Bacil, Dave Proctor, Dennis Sheely and I found an occasionally sunny sky with 3-8 mph mostly straight-in at the Pulpit (Occasionally there was a slight west cross).

With no sigh of any storm cells, we all launched and sledded; I managed to scratch and work a small thermal to 100 over for 36 minutes. It was a very pleasant afternoon, and would have been ideal for low-airtime Hang IIs.

When Bacil and I attempted to lock up we found the left post, as you drive in, had been pulled out, complete with concrete base, and thrown over on the right side; locked chain still attached to both sides. Only a large hole still remained on the left side.

This nefarious uprooting had been perpetrated since last weekend, when after locking the chain, Craig McBain camped there. We might consider creating a greater removal obstacle by reimbedding the post with a much larger concrete base.

John Dullahan

Since it didn't look like a good day for flying yesterday (Sunday), Karen and I had planned on going rock climbing. But after looking at the weather again, even that didn't look promising due to the threat of rain. Wet rocks-- no fun! So we decided to go out to Skyline Drive and do some hiking and check out the flying sites there. We packed our rain gear and off we went.

After searching around for a while, we finally found the trail to Dickey's Ridge and hiked up to find George, Homer, Mike Balk, Tom, Dan T. and Jackie George. Unfortunately, the boys were breaking down due to an oncoming storm. No one had flown. Dan and Jackie hadn't yet brought up their gliders. So we helped them carry their gliders and bags back down to parking lot and then Dan and Jackie joined Karen and I in driving South to check out Hogback. What a beautiful, beautiful site with a scary, scary launch. The storm had passed by then and we hung out and tried to figure out the location of the LZ. If Jackie was correct, YIKES!!!

Since the weather had cleared up, Dan and Jackie wanted to check out Dickey's on the way back. It looked good upon arrival so we helped haul Dan's glider and some bags up to launch. And while he was setting up Jackie and went back and got his glider. But, of course, after they got the gliders set up, it started to rain. Dan and Jackie were ever optimistic so we hung out under the gliders and the rain finally stopped after a half an hour. But the gliders were wet, neither Dan or Jackie had any gloves, and Jackie didn't have a coat. So it was back down to the cars again for me to retrieve the needed items. This was my fourth trip up the trail.

I brought a towel back and dried off Jackie's leading edge only in time for it to start raining again. It just wasn't meant to be. So, we helped them break down after sunset and carry the gliders back down the well worn trail. Driving in the rain, Karen and I didn't get home until 10:30.

So, it just goes to show you, you don't have to bring your hang gliders to enjoy a typical day of hang gliding.

Matthew (at least I got a little exercise, of Karen and Matthew)

Steve Kinsley, Pete Lehmann, and I went to Fisher Road today, hoping that the forecast for South 5-10 would prove true. When we got there, it looked promising and then deteriorated to +1 to -3. We each had sleds without any bumps whatsoever. My vario didn't beep once! The clouds were determined to block the sun from the valley as long as we were set up. There was a big blue hole overhead, but the sun was obscured for the whole afternoon... at least until we had flown and landed. Anyway, I enjoyed talking to the skygods and learned much.
Mike Buckley

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This page last updated May 11, 1998