OCR Text |
Show Wasatch Canyon Repauer SOARING AT SNOWBIRD | by David Peck sunburned tourists get dragged behind a boat,” says hang gliding at the Point. ing success, the flight led to be a world-class launch site. the conditional acceptance of paragliding on the mountain: “The summer thermals are huge. You can soar for hours, and hundred-mile flights to Steve Mayer, paragliding pioneer at Snowbird. “What we Evanston do soaring The ideal flight plan at Snowbird is to ride the around Little Cloud bowl this tram to Hidden Peak, launch is a serious you’ve seen sport.” Steve If and soar around Twin Peaks and Little Cloud. Wind and permitting, your _ bladder flights of up to four hours are possible. The easiest launch is on foot, though paragliders worldwide launch on skis, skiers, you recognize the difference in these two versions OF 34: bye,” Recently approved at Snowbird, paragliding is already wildly in European ski resorts. Utahns’ budding search for adrenaline will eventually make gliding a mainstream method = of descending the mountain. Paragliding means flying a canopy that looks like a Il dd de eshde lotta and thirty pounds. There is virtually no environmental impact in this noise-and-pol- tion, local pilots lobbied successfully to preserve a por- terms this grants six or seven ~ carry reserve chutes, but when something goes wrong, tion of the land for launching. lution-free pastime, except- Crowding and limited access to launch and land Snowbird property. ing voyeuristic intrusions on procreating wildlife. A good pilot can land with pinpoint accuracy, identical to a sky- at sites like the Point caused paragliding anyone with a modicum of cajones and a little folding money. Although Snowbird, new at paragliding is an In years One ty fatality occurred near there fatally crashed corporation fortype of glider When Mayer paraglide three crashed his kite, the corporation forbade any type of glider launching. he hit the ground. a strange wind cycle. He broke his back, but fortunate- “Everything sport. local ski areas. “People were Snowbird too,” said Mayer. With the help, of other pilots like Ken Hudonjorgenson, flight during Paraski Championships. last year’s National A resound- With was Mayer’s arduous-crusade worthwhile? I first seemed like the worst possithey teach you about flying says to stay out of canyons like this.” But for experienced pilots who study the weather conditions, Snowbird has the potential to excessive (Hillside Plaza) —~y) C1, ALL i Sometimes or swirling winds necessitate canceling a flight, albeit the better part of valor. As Kristen Ulmer, another local skier-cum-paraglider, . ae value with the mention of this Ad. Salt Lake City UT 84121 phone 944.1122 “When looked at it [Snowbird] from a paragliding standpoint, it Free spinal screening, a $30.00 dollar 2354 E. 7000 S. (Hillsitie Plaza) such limited access, SEASONS (CHIROPRACTIC | E. Fort Union ~<a@— |-215 Page 6 business Tandem would at flights allow seasoned new renowned paraglider, _Mayer negotiated with executives at Snowbird to allow a test flying at Aspen, Sun Valley, and Jackson [Hole], so I figured we should do. it at are mers ago when a pilot’s wing collapsed upon launch due to ble place to fly,” said Mayer. he immediately — you locals and itinerant tourists alike to enjoy a spectacular possibly our country’s most ago, and Another notable tragedy took place at Lone Peak two sum- ly fellow pilot Steve Mayer contacted Life Flight on his ham radio, and the helicopter arrived soon enough to rescue the pilot. Mayer himself has never been severely injured, but ample incidents requiring a change of undergarments have given him tremendous respect for the hazards of the | winters insurance, ready to fly. Mayer’s ultimate goal is to start a commercial when a Snowbird a Gliding Association includes the required million in liabili- past, Snowbird However, when on there is little time to react. Snowbird. when a Snowbird ski patroller fatally $2000 to $4000 for new gear. A $54 membership to the U.S. Hang paragliding allowed hang gliders to launch from the mountain. ski patroller his kite, the bade any launching. learned to often about died of deceleration trauma search out new areas to fly. Mountain site near Provo is experienced pilots. On a good day, upwards of twenty-five paragliders share the airspace there. The Soaring Center, Utah’s preeminent flight | on of the two. Pilots spend to pilots like Steve Mayer inquired into flying from the wind conditions, “the Point” is ideal for both new and Utah paragliders permission $600, including all the equip- Provo when Matt Melville flew his canopy into some powerlines, and subsequently established sport in Utah. In fact, the Point of the acknowledged as one of the world’s premier soaring locations and brings pilots from_ around the globe. Offering predictable and consistent allows day of instruction and short flights. If you are hooked on the first day, a full certification package runs around beginner paraglider package, ous will contract $60. The same amount will also get you an introductory Though it looks easier than fly, by invitation only. In real Development the current a total ment, and lasts approximately ten lessons of one-half day each. Thus certified, you can pilots with expert ratings to common sense, it is not rocket science; it is accessible to | with an instructor, for around limit requires skill, education, and i in several points at the base, from the tennis courts, to an access to this premier loca- Although the South Mountain experience is easily achieved. novice to fly at high altitudes hang gliding, paragliding is statistically the more danger- diver. Although LL | with Pipeline in the background to Tandem gliders allow Any type of flying is inherently dangerous, and paragliding is no exception. Steve Mayer above Snowbird aversion snowboards, and even, sadly, love it,” he said. hang glider. Requiring neither airplane nor automobile to arrive at your launch site, _ paragliding is the simplest form of flying. The equip- self-admitted early mornings keeps her grounded of late; the conditions are usually best early in the day. “I want to start flying again, so I guess I’ll have to start getting out of bed,” she remarked sheepishly. The paragliding monoskis. Mayer has landed accidental Alta landing, to his favorite spot near the Chickadee lift. “The kids skiing there freak out, and they parachute and functions like a ment is minimal: the whole shebang fits into a backpack and weighs between twenty are from the top of the mountain, winter, toying with the tram unsuspecting or strafing popular (Wyoming) totally possible.” phrased it, “It’s better being on the ground wishing you were in the air, than in the air wishing you were on the ground.” Ulmer’s distinctive Nikon wing used to be a common sight in Utah skies, but a —>> experience, and give Snowbird that coveted European flavor to boot. The powers that be at Snowbird are excited by the possibility, so look for paragliders to become regular scenery in the near future. Need further con- vincing? When describe the probed to paragliding experience, Mayer said “I don’t know if it’s better than sex, but it’s certainly better than bad sex!” (Ed. note: con- tradiction in terms). For more information on paragliding, contact the — Soaring Center in Draper, Utah at: (801)576-6460 | eartnenccneme 38 school, gives lessons yearround in both paragliding and wn “Parasailing is what you see in Acapulco, when fat |