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?

Local Ramblings of the DEAF Crew

Winter continues to be kept at bay, which is bad for snow, water, and life in the valley, but it continues to be oh so good for flying.  As the weeks pass we continue to find ourselves rambling around our Wasatch Mountains, enjoying the calm winter skies, and believe it or not, cashing in a few light thermal and short cross country days as well.  We continue to frequent our local sites from Bountiful down to Lone Peak.  We hike, fly, and smile as we feel a hint of warm air returning.  However, with the returning of warmer air, I will miss the calm, cold air flights of winter.  Some of the most memorable, and inspiring flights of the year are found in the icy skies of winter.  Gliding off the upper plateaus of Lone Peak in knee deep snow and out into the orange sunset; or flying off The V, above the polluted inversion layer as the valley darkens below.  These are the memories that last, and ones that never seem to fade.

The DEAF Crew continues to solidify as we add a new member to the group.  Clark, a new pilot who has been flying with us the last few months, and one whose enthusiasm earns him the right to be a part of this unique crew.  It is great to be a part of a group of highly dedicated pilots that do not fit the...well....typical paraglider pilot mold.  I am proud to be a member of such a group, and one who collectively, and individually emulates a pure passion for flying.

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.

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.