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?