Autumn Equinox - The End of Summer

With the Autumn Equinox now officially past, it definitively signals the end of Summer and a transition point into Autumn.  Here along Utah's Wasatch Mountains temperatures remain hot as summer, yet the colors of Autumn are beginning to glow in full glory along the foothills.


I find these solar phenomenons great opportunities to pause, look backwards on events past, and forward with anticipation on adventures soon to be.  As I reflect on just the last few weeks of paragliding around my home, it continues to be an honor flying with such great friends.  As members of the DEAF Crew we continue to point our eyes towards the mountains, and have been flying most every flyable day.  From Randolph to Strawberry Reservoir, and everything in between, we have been flying our way across the mountains, soaking up the beauty this world has to offer.

It is always hard watching the sun shift south, for we know the thermals are beginning to turn off.  I know most pilots tend to put the gear in the closet, pull out the skis, and wait again for warmer days to spring up.  For us, although sad to see the thermals go, our smiles seem to get a bit bigger (I know mine does).  For the cold days of autumn and winter lie ahead, which offers some of the most fantastic and rewarding mountain flying of the year.  Yes, I bid summer farewell (and what a summer it has been), but I smile looking forward to some of the best days that shortly lay ahead.

What's the Point?

As I look into the rearview mirror, reflecting on the last week, what an exceptional week it has been! The flying has been incredible, the views breathtaking, and the friends as memorable as always.  Three of the last four days have been spent flying 'The B', my home site, and one I fly almost every flyable day in the summer months. The leaves are starting to change, but even under the threat of autumn, the heat remains way above bearable.  With colder air up high, great flying conditions is a bit of an understatement.

Synopsis:

• First flight up and out to Granite in the weakest conditions I have ever felt here.  It took a very long time (like over an hour) to work what little lift was available in order to get up and out, and required me to call upon every little secret and skill I have learned from flying this place over the last two years.  As the sun was setting and the glass off happened, it made for a beautiful peaceful experience.

• Second flight up and out to The Point in a little more windy conditions.  Paul and I were the only ones to get up to the Hounds Tooth quickly.  Paul turned south early, I waited awhile for the others (JJ) to gain altitude. Once they arrived we turned and went south.  Bell's Canyon was less than enjoyable as the air was like being tossed around in a washing machine (lee side thermal flying is often like that).  Made it over Lone Peak and then headed out to the Point.  It was SUPER windy....like zero penetration in to the wind, so instead of 'Benching Up' on the North Side, and getting sucked over the mountain (i've had enough lee side flying for one day) I decided to fly back and land at the Draper pool...the right choice!

• Third flight, the worst launch I have ever had at The B....but perhaps one of the smoothest flights ever.  No wind at all today, which means the lift was 'up' so long as you knew where to look.  I found a great climb up to 11,000 feet over the Hounds Tooth, and with nobody else in sight, except for the small gliders well below, I decided to head south and wait for the others in Bell's Canyon.  Clark made it to Little Cottonwood (his first time), Gary to the Point, Paul went north to Grandeur, and I had so much fun up in Bell's Canyon then out to Lone Peak, then doubled back to land in Hidden Valley (makes the retrieve for my wife so much easier).

On the last flight there were a slew of pilots at launch, all talking about wanting to fly to 'The Point' today.  This is a pretty common conversation here as it seems every time there are other pilots, that is what they want to talk about.  I have been wondering lately why that is?  Sure, I have flown from here to The Point many times, its fun, but not that epic (at least after Lone Peak).  Is reaching The Point, or some far destination the sole reason why they are flying that day?  To me, although a nice goal, I think it more important to enjoy the journey.  We fly over some of the most scenic portions of the Wasatch Mountains, granite walls, spires, canyons, etc. If we are so focused on just the goal, wanting nothing more than glory awaiting us at the destination, and don't stop to revel in the fact our feet are dangling over spectacular views, then...."what's the point?"