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Thank you to all those who continue to follow this blog. I have recently moved the blog from this BLOGGER account, to my own domain. Please, Please update your links and come follow me at my new address. I look forward to seeing you there.

Anchored to the Sky

New address to update your links: http://www.ambrosephoto.com/anchoredtothesky/

Skywalk Chili 3 Review - Initial Thoughts

The sky is closing in, and a patch of unsettled air is on the doorstep thus terminating any flying opportunities for the next few days. Just another springtime in the Wasatch mountains. This reprieve does give me a chance to pause and offer some thoughts on the new Skywalk Chili 3 (high end EN-B) wing. I received a brand new crisp Chili 3 from Skywalk a few weeks ago and have been flying it across my home mountain range. Over the last few weeks I have logged well over 200 km of cross country (XC) thermal flying with this wing over my head. No, this is not ridge soaring back and forth across the same hill, but rather putting it through the paces in high alpine, high altitude, turbulent spring air.

Flying high above the Wasatch Mountains, Utah (~12,000 ft)

Before I get too far into my review of the wing I think it is probably a good idea to pause, and perhaps explain the reasons why I choose to fly. Hopefully it will help you understand the context of this review and the lenses through which I look when experiencing this wing. I do not fly for competitions sake, for recognition, nor to be a part of some social flying community. My goals do not center around flying acro maneuvers, or to become some XC guru who flies with a big digital number on my wing. Each person's goals are their own, which is great, but those are not mine. After all, there are many other aspects and responsibilities in my life other than paragliding (what a shock). Outside my passion for flying I am a business owner, husband, and father. Every day my feet leave the ground in free flight I am keenly aware that I have clients, employees, a wife and kids that are counting on me, and need me to get back on the ground safely....every time! So, why do I fly? I fly for the peace, serenity, and perspective only to be found high above the earth. With no motors, no metal, no sound....just the VIEW. I measure my success, not by the number of kilometers behind me, but the size of the smile on my face. So, that being said here are my initial thoughts on the new Skywalk Chili 3:

Looks: I am flying the blue/black version of this wing and have to say it is probably to most beautiful looking wing out there. Alright, I know there is a personal preference to this one, but I have had several others offer similar opinions. So yes, it is a good look'n wing!

Initial Thoughts: My first thought when unpacking the glider was "wow, where are all the lines?" It is a true 3-liner and boasts only 239 meters of lines (25% less than the Tequila 3). Those lines are tiny as well. The upper brake cascades are so small you could floss your teeth with them. But, hey I trust the Skywalk engineers. They are brilliant, calculated individuals, and do not release a product until it is perfect! So thin lines? That is great. The wing also utilizes other Skywalk standards like Dyneema and Technora lines, Rigid foil (no mylars), jet flaps, and new C-wires in the middle of the wing to help the trailing edge stay solid. The A-risers have a nice Skywalk tab on them showing which riser you pull for Big Ears. With only 2-A's it is important to pull the right one! The tab makes that choice much easier.

Launching: I have been flying Skywalk's Tequila 3 for a couple years, and this last summer the Arriba 2 on hike-n-fly adventures, and throughout the Alps and cannot say enough great things about these wings. They are both phenomenal, but a little bit touchy to launch. At about 45 degrees above the ground they surge quickly, so you better have control of the brakes. When I launched the Chili 3 for the first time I was expecting the same dynamic reaction. Not so. The launch is super smooth. The wing comes up controlled and smooth from the initial pull of the A-risers until it is stable over your head, even in thermic conditions. A shocking, and welcome surprise for a higher performance wing.

Tequila 3 (White), Arriba 2 (Red), and the new Chili 3 (Blue) - All phenomenal wings!

Thermal Flying: Before flying the new Chili 3 I was told it was 'talkative.' Not sure what that really meant until I flew it in turbulent air. It took a few minutes in strong conditions to understand what it was  trying to 'say' to me, but once I got it, I GOT IT. Let me try and explain. When flying an EN-A or low EN-B wing you kind of bump through the turbulence. You generally feel the air, wing pressure, bumps, etc. in the brakes. The Chili 3 is not this way. You feel it in the risers, and thus it tends to move your butt around....a lot. Once I learned to understand what it was saying it took some of the guess work out of thermal flying. Before when I flew into a thermal I had a 50/50 chance of turning the right direction. With the Chili 3, by listening to what the wing is saying, it tells you very clearly where the thermal is, which direction to turn, and how steep your turn should be. It is a thermal hungry, climbing machine and often guides you right where you need to be....so long as you listen to what it is saying.

Turbulence: This is not a docile wing for beginners as it requires a lot of active piloting techniques. You need to know how to keep a wing over head in turbulence to fly it safely. That being said, I am actually very surprised how solid it is. It's 'talkative' nature keeps me working most of the time,  and I have taken only a few minor collapses (~30%) and both were in really strong thermic conditions. The wing behaved as it should, was stable, solid, easy to control and easy to reinflate. While in a steep turn while climbing it continues to 'talk' but has always remained very solid overhead, even when exiting. The key is always to control the surge on exit, and I found the control was there. Like I stated earlier I only have around 200 km of XC on the wing, but so far, so good!

Big-Ears / Speed Bar configuration

Descent: When trying to come down I found the big ears/speed bar combination to work extremely well on this wing. The descent is quick and fast (unless you are in rapidly ascending air). The other day I was still going up in full configuration at 400 ft/m. Crazy! But that was not the gliders fault, it descends actually quite well. The spiral dive approach ramps up a bit faster than the Tequila 3, but remained really smooth and easily controlled with outer brake and weight shift throughout the descent. I actually like spiraling down with this wing better than the Tequila 3 and Arriba 2, just because it had more dynamic action on it.

Landing: The first thing I noticed when landing was the wing flies much faster than the Tequila 3 or Arriba 2. That is where the jet flap technology comes into play, along with the C-wires in the middle ribs of the wing. These two elements in combination gave me the ability to fly quite slow, in a safe manner, thus allowing me to return to earth safely....which for me is a pretty important part of the flight!

Me and fellow pilot Matt (Green Chili 3) fly a short 35 km XC across the Wasatch

Conclusions: Well, I guess all I need to say about this wing is I LOVE IT!!! Yeah, I know I am a Skywalk Team Pilot and should say that, but the reality is, it really is an amazing high end EN-B wing. It seems to provide the performance of a EN-C with the safety of an EN-B. Right now in my flying career safety is much more important to me than performance. That being said I feel I am getting the best of both worlds. It is a great opportunity to be flying a higher performance wing that is very 'talkative' and responsive yet still has the overhead stability and overall safety that comes with an EN-B rating.

If you are interested in flying or buying a new Chili 3, talk to the U.S.A. Distributor Jonathan Jefferies of Utah Paragliding.

Pigeon Memories

Twice per day, like clockwork, a lone pigeon lands on the window sill at work, pecks the glass. A taunting reminder to my soul that I am the one sitting in the glass cage. A reminder that when the sky beckons, it is often a time to drop everything, and fly! Within reason of course.
This last week has been pretty quiet for paragliding as the weather has been less than flyable. In fact, it has been completely miserable. You would think I was living in the Oregon or something with all the rain (I do love Oregon by the way). I was able to sneak out for a short evening session on the North Side with only a few other pilots between gust fronts. It was an erie sky, but I just had to get out and get some time logged in my new wing from Skywalk. So with the lack of flying, it has caused some reflection.

My friendly pigeon. At least it is a picture.

A week or so ago all signs pointed to a potential XC day. As the day progressed I watched the cumulus clouds through my glass cage, bubble in perfect succession across the sky. It is still early spring, but I decided to give my home site a go. As I was hiking up to the launch, the air felt still....nothing lifting. When no air is lifting, my spirits often sink at this site, but hey, at least my feet will leave the ground. My home site is tricky in that you only have about 60 seconds to find some lift before you are on the ground! A few of my friends join me. We lay out our wings and wait. A promising piece of air lifts, and I launch. I rise for a few minutes then begin to sink. No lift anywhere, so I land halfway up the hill. Pull the wing from the sage brush, shoulder the load and hike back to the top. Clark and Paul attempt, with the same results.
Back on launch the air goes completely still. Looks like another sled ride. It is hot, so I take off my warm coat, stuff my gloves in the pockets of my shell and ditch my hat and all the camera gear into the back of my harness. My friends do the same.  I watch a bird off to my left slowly rising. Hmmm, still no breeze. I feel a little air on my sweaty face, enough to pull up my wing. I guess I will go, I should probably go home and see my family anyway. I smash my way through the scrub oak, turn left and settle into the harness. The precious seconds tick by, and the ground gets ever closer. I feel a gentle surge and my variometer beeps back. I turn. I center in the weak core. 50 turns later I am above 12,000 feet (~4,000m) nearly over Twin Peaks with Paul right below. My bare hands are freezing. I am able to pull my gloves from my pockets, put them on and keep climbing. So often when flying I find myself looking down; looking for thermal triggers, but at this altitude my attention turns up as we climb to cloud base. The lift increases, and it is time to head to the boundaries of the cloud. Speed bar engaged, and off we go.
The view of the Wasatch is indescribable. Still covered in snow, and being a thousand or more feet above the tallest peak. Yes, a view that not many humans get to experience. Oh sure, from an airplane maybe, from a cage, but not with the wind flowing across your face; not in the quiet solitude of nature. It is truly a touch of heaven above the earth. No camera this time. Just the memory.
Paul and I head towards Mount Olympus, then turn back. I hear Clark crackle through the radio. He too has found his way up over 9,000 feet. We chatter back and forth and decide to turn south and head for Draper. Clark has not yet done the milk run from here to The Point, so I tell him to stick together and we will make it in. From nearly 12,000 feet it is difficult to perceive depth, and seeing Clark below I fear we may not make it. Once over Little Cottonwood Canyon we decide to fly to Granite Park....a great first XC for the year. As we near the park I see Clark find some lift and start to turn. I quickly follow, and also find it. 30 turns later we are back at 11,000 feet. We make the turn south and literally glide all the way to Draper. A safe landing, despite the frozen bones. A few minutes pass and Paul glides in to land. A successful day. All smiles.

As I now sit in my glass cage, it is days like this that keep me sane, keep me looking forward to great adventures that lay ahead. Remind me of experiences I have been so lucky to have, experiences that so few ever taste. So when the pigeon knocks on my glass cage, It is a reminder that I just have to smile.

Is This My Life?

I have watched the yellow lines pass by outside my window for nearly 12 hours today. The landscapes have changed from oceans edge, thru desert heat, to the top of the snowy mountains I call home. While driving, I happened to find an audio book buried in my iPhone, and trying to pass the hours I turned it on. As I tried to keep my eyes open as the hours passed, one quote caught my attention. In the story an old wise man said the following: “I don’t live in either my past or my future. I’m interested only in the present. If you can concentrate always on the present, you’ll be a happy man....life is the moment we’re living now.” As I thought on that statement for several hours, my mind not only reflected on the moments of the last 10 days, but also those important moments that encompass my life.

 
The last 10 days have been packed with a harness full of memorable moments, treasures in my life. Soaring coastal cliffs over deep blue waters, thermal flying many thousands of feet over various desert mountains and valleys; camp fires, great friends, burned chicken, orange brownies, flying kites, and playing 'brain quest' with my kids through endless hours in the car. It is true that every day is a blessing, a miracle really. A miracle that deserves our utmost energy to truly live, to take advantage of these fleeting moments of time. It has been a wonderful week spending time with Clark and his awesome family; getting a glimpse of what a 14 year old can actually eat in any given day. It is great traveling with people who share the same values, ideals and enthusiasm for life....so much so that I am always exhausted at the end of the day (the way it should be). Great to spend time with Gary and his wonderful family. Although his hair is silver, his passion for paragliding, surfing, and life burns brighter than most.

As I reflect on the moments of my life, I realize despite challenges and hardships I am truly a lucky human being. Thankful for the miracle of flight that has sunk its talons deep into my soul. It continues to make my heart race, make me smile, and remind me of what is important in life; The smile of my kids, the touch of my wife, faith in a power bigger than myself, and the endless wind in my extended arms. Yes, this is my life and it continues to be an amazing journey.

The Valley Crossing.....

Soaring the cliffs of Torrey Pines

Feet extending into the sky

Clark carving high above the desert mountains

There's a Springtime Ahead

Music is an important part of my life. I like all kinds and flavors. I am particularly drawn to the lyrical aspect of music, and often find myself dwelling on melodic words from time to time. This winter has been the longest, coldest, grayest winter I can remember in recent years. Through the gray times I have often been reminded of a favorite lyric from an acoustical performance by Pearl Jam. The song has a rather sad tone, but in my opinion represents one of the best songs ever written. A particular line echoes "No matter how cold the winter, there's a springtime ahead." I have been looking forward to that springtime, both literally and metaphorically all winter long.

It feels like spring. View from my house.

The grass in my yard has been covered in snow since late October. There has been two feet of ice hanging off my rain gutters, with icicles extending all the way to the ground. Then, all of the sudden it seems to have happened. The ice has miraculously disappeared and I can see patches of grass again. The air has a musty smell to it as the ground is trying to breath once again...and two days ago I actually felt a thermal lift, and with it a smile crossed my face.

I love winter, and continue to fly just as intensely during that season as I do throughout all the other months of the year. However, with Spring comes lifting air again, which means longer, higher flights, and the ability to actually travel somewhere other than down. As I rolled out of bed this morning and glanced at the weather forecast I quickly realized that today the air is going to lift!

Waiting for the right thermal cycle.

The early afternoon finds me and Matt hiking up the familiar trail to Lone Peak in a light north wind. Approaching the first open meadow it is clear that warm air is rising....perhaps we launch from here? Saves us from hiking another 1500 vertical feet. I lay out my glider amidst the breathing grass, bushes and deer droppings (only in the west). We wait for the right cycle of thermal waves, watching the vultures effortlessly circle upward. Then we see the grass move, and feel the cycle begin.

8,000 feet above the Wasatch

Lift the risers, feel the pull and then step into the sky. It does not take long for instinctive skills to kick in as a response to the violent early spring thermal that just slammed my wing. The focus sharpens and the texture of the air now resonates through every one of my human senses. Several minutes later, climbs in excess of 8,000 feet, I continue to circle and take in the magnificent views of the snow covered Wasatch Mountains. I have missed it these several months... it is good to be back up here. After several minutes Matt and I both decide to turn west and fly out to The Point for the first cross country flight of the year. As I cross the valley and fly in towards the final ridge it is clear that no air is lifting here and about halfway down the ridge I turn back and land in the neighborhood park.

With my feet now firmly back on the ground I feel a new sense of energy and revitalization. I am sure we will see a few more snow storms in the coming weeks, but now I actually feel the realization that there IS a springtime ahead.

Just Look Up

Every so often I have moments of quiet reflection; brief pauses in life where I actually stop and realize how truly lucky I am.  The last few months have been difficult ones for me, and unfortunately I see many more challenges that probably lay ahead. The recipe for this last month has been unbearable cold, mixed with thick gray smog, so thick you can actually taste it. With weeks on end without ever seeing the sun or stars. All wrapped up in a day in, day out career that for some reason continues to be undervalued and ever slipping into a common cheap commodity. It feels at times that the cold, gray trenches of misery are going to last for the rest of ones life...then I just look up through the smog and see the blue sky smiling upon me.

Locked in a small winter thermal in the mountains above Provo, Utah

The act of just looking up is forever a reminder of how truly lucky I am, and really how awesome my life is. So many people on this earth never get to experience the common miracles I take for granted almost every day. Although riddled with bouts of misery, the last month has produced breathtaking visions of beauty and memories that have forever etched their way into the history of my soul. I continue to reverence the absolute miracle of flight. So often while in the sky, carving the textures of air I find myself talking out loud to higher powers. Often these conversations revolve around the fact that so many people only dream of flying like a bird, no motors or metal, just wings; and here I am actually doing it....how truly lucky I am. Every time my feet leave the ground, I try and make it a point to remember that miracle.

I am so thankful for a great wife and kids who are always so supportive and understanding when the sky calls my name, which is most days. Thankful to great friends, near and some far, who share the same unquenchable passion for the sky. Thankful for the memories we, as the DEAF Crew, have forged together through the years. I am also thankful for the many hours of actually hiking and flying alone this month with only my thoughts and the views of nature to keep me company.

Yes, I am a truly lucky individual surrounded by wonderful miracles, knowing that if I just look up, there is solace to be found in the sky!

Carving the blue sky - Skywalk Arriba 2

Solo hike and fly above the smog layer.

Enjoying the clean mountain air above the pollution.

Paul and I on a ski-n-fly in Big Cottonwood as a storm bears down. - Skywalk Arriba 2

Solo flight off the lower meadows of Lone Peak...just me and the deer.

Solo soaring session on the South Side...a rare day indeed - Skywalk Tequila 3

Rise Above the Gray

Every winter when a strong high pressure builds over our now crowded valley, temperatures flip upside down. This inverted air traps below freezing temperatures to the ground and engulfs every thing in a thick gray blanket of smog. As the air gets ever colder, it gets ever dirtier, thicker, and even the snow loses it's pure luster. This gray can last for days upon days and at times there seems to be no escape. However, to those of us that live in the foothills, we know the only way out is to head for the mountains.


Paragliding Thru Winter - 2013 from DEAF Crew on Vimeo.

This short video was taken over the last several days as me and a few of my friends headed for the hills, with paragliders on our backs, and adventure in our hearts in search of relief from the dull gray inversion of the valley. Like most things in life, if you are willing to put forth a little effort, brave the elements, and expend a little energy, you can rise above the gray and be rewarded with beauty only to be found in the blue.

As I sit here and stare out my office window, I am once again engulfed in the gray blanket. Another adventure to the blue is calling my name. Yeah, what else is new....the blue sky has been calling my name for years!

A New Year of Diamonds in the Sky

Self portrait looking down

It seems every time the DEAF Crew gets together an adventure is bound to follow. With clouds bubbling through the high mountains, light winds, and freezing cold temperatures, it seems like a good winter day to fly. So, I rally the troops and we all arrive at the designated trailhead. We start walking from here, up to the Bonneville Shoreline trail, then begins the long hike up the west ridges towards Lone Peak. It is surprising how hard it is snowing as we hike, I mean REALLY snowing.  About halfway up the faint trail vanishes into the deepening snow leaving us the task to break trail through thigh deep snow. We have all flown this enough that finding the trail is like second nature. The higher we go the deeper it gets. The deeper it gets, the more icy the under ground is...sure glad I have my gators and crampons. Slowly we slog our way to the knife ridge, then up to the launching field some 3,000 vertical feet (1000 m) above the valley floor.

Jeff (the boot), Paul, Clark and Matt trudging through thigh deep snow.

It is great to have all four of us together at the same time again...the right way to start the year! We find a nice wind blown patch of snow to launch from. Lay out our gear then get dressed up like we are going to the moon...it is after all -10º C up here. Clipped in, ready, the winds begin to settle downslope...no time to wait. We punch off in quick succession, like fighter jets from an aircraft carrier out into a snowy filled sky. As we descend, punching through the inversion layer the sun appears glistening the falling diamonds in the sky. A magical glass off flight in the setting sun.

A nice wind blown launch site

What a great way to start off the New Year, a cold way, but a great way nonetheless. I look forward to another year filled with great adventures and experiences with my good buddies Paul, Clark, and Matt. I feel lucky to be part of such a great crew to fly with.

Self portrait coming out of the clouds...isn't it cold? YES

Arial view of Matt. Paul way down on the left side of the frame, Clark above me...and the deer? They are in there too.

Already looking forward to the next adventure....maybe tomorrow?