Christmas Paragliding

As the Christmas holiday descends upon us like vultures, with all its commercialism, food, family time, presents, money, and everything else that just adds pressure to the soul, its time to look upwards.  Paul and I invite a few others to join us the day before Christmas on an evening flight off Grandeur.  Jonathan (JJ) and a new pilot Clark join Paul, Roman, and I.  There is a light dusting of snow up high, but quite pleasant and warm (relatively speaking) in the valley.

The following day, Christmas Eve, Paul and I hike up high in the mountains to a perfect plateau launch that was pointed out to us by one of the old masters.  There is more snow here, but the flight is as beautiful as they come.  Plenty of altitude and smooth air over the valley below.  Now this is makes Christmas complete!

Late November Flying

I love paragliding in late Autumn / early Winter!  The air is cold, snow occasionally falls, most all pilots are now in hibernation for the winter, and what is left is pure paragliding serenity.  Sure with the cold air, flights now become much shorter, and every foot of altitude gained is required to be earned through burning legs and lungs.  Perhaps this difficulty, makes it all the more special.

Paul, Mark and I continue to hike...regardless of snow, or sun.  It is a great opportunity for us to hike and fly, not only the standard launches, but offers a great excuse to explore new launches along the Wasatch we have been eyeing now for some time.  I am thankful for great friends who are just as passionate about flying as I am.  Thankful they are always willing and excited to get out and hike, no matter if the ground is white or brown.  

On a standard routine flight off Grandeur, we all three swoop into the landing zone, all smiles.  My eight year old daughter walks up to me and says "Dad, I think you guys should be called the DEAF Crew."  Not sure what she meant, so she proceeded to explain it to me, and what it meant.  It is often said that from the mouth of babes comes wisdom, and my daughter is very creative.  What does it mean?  Well, that may just have to be saved for a later date :o)   

Earth Below Us

A weak storm has passed through, and that is just fine with me.  What little snow did drop, is now fading enough to get up to Bountiful.  Paul, Mark and I head up for a beautiful afternoon of Paragliding at The V.  The conditions are calm, the wind is light out of the southwest, and after two fabulous flights, the sun is now fading into another beautiful winter sunset.  Every time I fly, look down at the earth below, I am reminded of what a dream this is.  Even though flights are now shorter, every time my feet leave the ground, I realize it is a miracle.

Final Days of Autumn

As Autumn officially comes to a close as the first real winter storm approaches, I have to step back and take a look over the last few weeks.  It continues to be some great flying, and we seem to have transitioned from the thermal days of summer, to the hike-n-fly conditions of winter.  Paul, Matt and I have been spending a lot of time on Granduer, Roman and I ended up flying Cherry Canyon one more time, and Matt and I got a great flight off the North Side at The Point.  It is a very rare occurrence to get the entire Point to yourself, but Matt and I received that privilege...rewards to those who are not afraid to hike.  Beautiful glass of conditions and flying in the smooth cold air.


With Autumn ending, I look excitedly towards the joys of winter flying.  It seems most pilots have holed up for the winter, but for us, flying is ALWAYS good, and every season has its rewards.

Paragliding Park City

It is UEA weekend, which means the kids are out of school, and a great reason to jump over the ridge to Park City...Deer Valley, actually.  It seems with every trip, the paragliding gear always seems to find its way into the back of the truck.  Just a few short flights are okay, right?  Wesley and I do a quick evening flight off PC Mountain in strong crosswind conditions.  Made for a short flight, but at least my feet leave the ground.

The following morning, I awake to no wind, clear skies, beautiful autumn colors, and cold crisp air.  A few mintues walking and we are launching into the beautiful scenery.  The second flight is a little more thermic, but nothing substantial, just enough to throw me around a little bit.  It is just pure beautiful autumn flying.  Great to be up here spending time and flying with the family.

Cherry Canyon

I love the colors, smells, and calming air of October.  It is such a beautiful, calm, clear day we just have to go do a longer hike-n-fly.  Matt, Mark, and I trudge our way up the steep trail to the upper launch.  The wind is pretty cross up here right now, but were used to it.  A quick lay out the gear, a few tugs on the lines and were off.  Although not a super long flight, it was great working the small thermals over the bench.  It is always great to spend time with fellow pilots, and friends who remain as passionate about this sport as I do.

The Teton Dream?

I am exhausted as I watch the yellow dotted lines flicker passed out the window.  I am returning from a busy 7 days of flying.  Randolph, Southern California, home sites, now another quick paragliding trip to Jackson Hole.  Ever since I have started flying I have always wanted to fly here, and with the season at Jackson rapidly coming to a close, Paul and I just have to run up and get in a quick flight.  Of course we had to stop in Randolph, Utah for another awesome evening flight...all the way to dark (twice this week).  We arrived in Jackson and are sleeping in the gravel by the truck in a safe place, so we think.  People wandering the middle of the night, drug deals, bullets being chambered, all the while I curl up in my bag under my truck searching for my happy place; it makes for a very unrestful night.



I should have known that today was going to be bad, based on last nights events, but the excitement of the somewhat clear/smoky skies and lack of wind make me smile.  We scramble to Teton Village and then the fun begins.  My mother always taught me that if I didn't have anything nice to say, to not say anything at all.  With that in mind, this post will be relatively short.  Paragliding in Jackson Hole was unfortunately not the dream I had hoped for.  The people/pilots were less than, friendly, professional, or even cordial for that matter.  If you plan on flying there...just be cautious.  Especially if you are an advanced pilot and do not need a guide or your nose wiped.  If you are a budding pilot and want/need a guide, then I think the experience would probably be much better, as money often talks.  I know there are some nice, fun, friendly local pilots who fly there, but unfortunately none were present today.  I do not see myself flying there again anytime soon, nor recommending any of my pilot friends visit either.  Once the feet left the ground, it was beautiful with the autumn colors, and to be flying with my buddy Paul, who always makes it entertaining, especially when getting ridiculed by the local pilots.

Paragliding is a wonderful sport, trying so hard to grow and gain acceptance here in the U.S.  Perhaps one day we will be more like Europe, where arms are wide open to pilots no matter where you go (for the most part).  At least that is how I roll.  Any pilot who has traveled to Utah to fly, I am more than willing and excited to help show them the sites...even for free!  What started as a Teton dream unfortunately turned in to a restless sleep.

Southern California

I stare down from 37,000 feet into the darkness below.  The lights of the city are fading away as I fly out of Long Beach, California eastward across the desert.  As I stare out the window, eyes heavy, I ponder on the activities of today.  I guess it all started last night when Mark called and said "Hey, want to go to Southern California and do some paragliding tomorrow?" My knee -jerk reaction, as always..."Absolutely!"  Therefore, at 4:45 a.m. I roll from my bed, hop into the car and head to Salt Lake International to catch my flight.  

Torrey Pines, a cliff launch over the ocean in butter smooth air.  Green grass to launch from, a snack bar, and miles of sandy beach to fly over...what could be better?  How about some altitude for starters, and I could actually do without all the old naked guys standing on the beach below playing volleyball...now that is just 'bad naked.'  Although beautiful, so far as you are looking up, the site becomes quite boring to fly after just a short time.  No real altitude here, but pure brainless flying...it was great.

Near lunch time I find myself an hour away from Torrey Pines in a small place called Blossom Valley.  You could not find a place more different than Torrey.  Dry, dry desert with just prickly plants and barren mountains.  However, the thermals are quite strong, and I decide to launch in the heat of the day against my better judgement.  Thirty minutes into the flight, I am tired of getting thrown around in the washing machine air, and call it quits.  Mark follows suit, glad to be back on the ground.

One more quick flight at Torrey Pines, over the cliff, and down to naked beach.  Pack up the glider, get something to eat, then we are outta here.

Now here I sit at 37,000 feet staring into the darkness.  What a great day flying different sites here in southern California, with a great friend.  I am already looking forward to coming back to here soon, perhaps under better flying conditions.

Initial Snapshot

Anytime one starts a blog it is difficult to decide where to start, especially when there is considerable history leading up to said point.  So I think I will start....right.....about....here.



This little video is a compilation of just a fraction of flying adventures that have occurred this summer. WHAT...A...SUMMER, and what a wonderful adventure it has been since I first stepped into the sky. It has been met with unique adventures, tragedy, wonderful flights, and others that are not quite so exciting.

With all worthwhile pursuits, it is often the people along the way that add unique flavors and spices to life.  Over the last little while several individuals have walked (or flown) into my life, making the journey that much funner. I am sure their names will pepper this blog in future postings as there are bound to be great adventures ahead.

• Mark Pehrson: One of the first pilots I met during the winter months that shares this unquenchable passion for flying we seem to both suffer from.  He continues to be a huge support to me, to bounce new ideas, to learn new lessons, and together we have spent many hours thus far attempting to master these strange contraptions made of fabric and string.  


• Paul Oddou: We met following a tragedy at the 2011 U.S. Nationals Competition in Richfield.  A fellow paraglider pilot crashed at dusk high in the mountains.  I was one of only 2 pilots who saw it and ended up finding her in the dark.  I was rather shaken up over the events, not sure I wanted to do this anymore.  However, at 6 a.m. the following morning I had to get into the air again or be mentally paralyzed forever.  So I climbed into a shuttle van up to the top of Monroe Summit (11,200 ft) and jumped off.  It was here I met Paul.  After flying, he and I walked back to town together and began chatting.  Turns out we share the same frustration for people so unwilling to hike in this sport.  Frustrated from everyone sitting on the grass, and not flying, a friendship was formed that day with our eyes collectively turned towards the real mountains.  We fly a lot together...and have spent many adventures in the sky.


• Matt Dynan:  I first met Matt high on the north side of Point of the Mountain early one spring.  We have flown together quite a bit at that site, and he too has started to look beyond the Point and towards the bigger mountains. 


• Others: Of course there have been many others that have peppered the path, like Jonathan Jefferies (my instructor), Dave, Doro, JoFo, and many others.  At this point I am thankful for my mentors, advanced pilots who teach, and those willing to be out flying with me.

No point in rambling on here, as it is starting to sound like a speech from the Oscar's.  Life is an adventure, and I look forward to the wonderful adventures that inevitably lay ahead.  I feel so blessed to be lucky enough to actually realize the human dream of flight.  To feel the earth fall beneath my feet, to soar, climb, and just be free.