I just don't know how my friends in soggy land do it.
But the weekend is looking up.
P.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Monday, October 12, 2009
Doing the Windows
Sunday at Saddle was an example of a mini window.
XCSkies put ENE on the table and light - With cold air in from the North heating would kick off mini thermals with hard edges and for just a little while. If figured 1:00 to 2:00 would be the best of it if at all.
Doc called me at about 12:10 and I was already on my way. - We yaked it up and finaly decided Saddle was the best shot as Kiona was blown.
On launch were 12 or so Bags and a hang. I saw dust rising from the LZ and that was all I needed to throw in. With Bob and Doc and others if figured at my back for a ride up. So I was off in search of the baby T lift. Out we went - Jeff the Hang beat me off but just by a minute or so, I don't think I was on launch more than 5 min before I was in the air.
The sled to way way cross the road was not hopeful as Jeff didn't realy find anything much searching where we both new it should be. I went further west and was a bit above him in 0's as we continued out in broad circles looking and sniffing then as I moved to where he was scratching it began to come together.
Finaly we were both climbing well and topped at about 3700 or so. - He went a bit higher.
Then out of the lift and back down to 2200 or so for a second climb this time topped at 4,000 after CJ and others had gaggled up with us. - At the top I pushed back to the hill and side landed the west hill and Bob picked me up.
Bob and Doc were clear to launch and I went down to pick up the boys in the LZ.
A good day of window spotting and cleaning but just just just enough and just the right time.
P
XCSkies put ENE on the table and light - With cold air in from the North heating would kick off mini thermals with hard edges and for just a little while. If figured 1:00 to 2:00 would be the best of it if at all.
Doc called me at about 12:10 and I was already on my way. - We yaked it up and finaly decided Saddle was the best shot as Kiona was blown.
On launch were 12 or so Bags and a hang. I saw dust rising from the LZ and that was all I needed to throw in. With Bob and Doc and others if figured at my back for a ride up. So I was off in search of the baby T lift. Out we went - Jeff the Hang beat me off but just by a minute or so, I don't think I was on launch more than 5 min before I was in the air.
The sled to way way cross the road was not hopeful as Jeff didn't realy find anything much searching where we both new it should be. I went further west and was a bit above him in 0's as we continued out in broad circles looking and sniffing then as I moved to where he was scratching it began to come together.
Finaly we were both climbing well and topped at about 3700 or so. - He went a bit higher.
Then out of the lift and back down to 2200 or so for a second climb this time topped at 4,000 after CJ and others had gaggled up with us. - At the top I pushed back to the hill and side landed the west hill and Bob picked me up.
Bob and Doc were clear to launch and I went down to pick up the boys in the LZ.
A good day of window spotting and cleaning but just just just enough and just the right time.
P
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Baldy Ridge Soar
Monday we gave it a good old try and about 10 folk - many at the site for the first time gave it a go.
Early we had rain.
Later we had wind.
If you had your wind skills together or got lucky then it was very nice air though hard to penetrate.
Early we had rain.
Later we had wind.
If you had your wind skills together or got lucky then it was very nice air though hard to penetrate.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Baldy to Wenatchee Direct
Two Pitchers of Beer $16.00
1 Rack of Babyback ribs $15.95
1 Order Hot wings $6.75
2 Dessert Shooters $3.50
Eating and drinking them all alone while awaiting retrieve in Wenatchee PRICELESS.
They say if you keep flying, giving luck opportunity, eventually it comes together. Sunday was not that day but Monday was. - Sunday I sank out in lea side trash. But Monday was a different story:
A crew of the usual suspects met at the rock at 11:30. I didn't call the gathering but am always willing try, so thanks for making the call ya all. I didn't want to go first, in fact I was actually thinking about driving down with the prospects of inversion - high pressure - and spunky air battles before us. But once others saddled up the auto response system kicked in and I was off.
Anticipated bad air did its thing grounding 2 of 4 within 20 minutes. I was one of the lucky ones and after a heated battle with mega sink and minor-mega bullet lift we got over the towers for a smooth cranking ride to 6,800 or so. -
I left second, pimped and avoided a sink hole by doing so, and arrived at exit 11 with plenty and caught a nice screamer to clouds base over badger pocket. Clouds marked the tit so lift was easy to find at Boylston to 8,200 or so.
Now where? The wind turbines were all facing east and it seemed that the east wind was building a bit so a push to George seemed out of the cards. Due north a cloud street was forming over the plateau East of Mission Ridge. This street became the devils tail that I was to tickle for the next hour. It beckoned me to come hither with growing strength with each passing moment.
Before it became an issue however an amazing climb/gift was granted sw of the windmills at the heavy equipment training school. Over 5,000 feet up in one climb to 8,400 or so, which started as I was picking a smooth LZ.
Now it was off to the hills - you can play with it for a while but at one point about 5 miles in it became a go/no-go call and there was only one cloud left to "promise" lift in the dreaded tiger country.
I have been dreaming of this flight ever since Gordon Grice made the line for the first time a year and 4 months ago. Dreaming and doing are separated by opportunity and execution. It is the execution that is the act of will that is really hard at times like that.
To go and accept the consequences - Glory or Folly - potential folly met with a long hike as consequence becomes a challenge to overcome.
OK stop dreaming and GO! and off I went - Things worked fine in that last lift under the cloud and the SE winds were helping but sooner than later I was looking at tree tops and nice big REMOTE LZs
- ok - set up for landing - take your lumps. - then a gopher fart. - turn - nothing - turn and a blip. - no down just a touch - 350ft over set up to land - where to land? - a touch of lift and for 10 minutes or so - up a little - further down wind - up a little - more commitment to worse than ratty LZs, but up a little and then - REAL lift and a ridge I can make and AND AND - houses and roads!!!! - then ridges and lift and finally over a lovely ridge on the south of town which kept me flying for 10 minutes or so so I could get my coveted 4 hour flight along with the prize of Wenatchee Direct!
Stats: Distance 45 miles or so, Duration 4hr 5 min. Max up 2,350 ft/min. Max down 2,500 ft/m - Max Alt: 8,700ft
Sorry - No Pictures - It was 4 hours of nonstop work from launch to landing. Check out the track on Leonardo: www.paraglidingforum.com/leonardo/flight/263105
1 Rack of Babyback ribs $15.95
1 Order Hot wings $6.75
2 Dessert Shooters $3.50
Eating and drinking them all alone while awaiting retrieve in Wenatchee PRICELESS.
They say if you keep flying, giving luck opportunity, eventually it comes together. Sunday was not that day but Monday was. - Sunday I sank out in lea side trash. But Monday was a different story:
A crew of the usual suspects met at the rock at 11:30. I didn't call the gathering but am always willing try, so thanks for making the call ya all. I didn't want to go first, in fact I was actually thinking about driving down with the prospects of inversion - high pressure - and spunky air battles before us. But once others saddled up the auto response system kicked in and I was off.
Anticipated bad air did its thing grounding 2 of 4 within 20 minutes. I was one of the lucky ones and after a heated battle with mega sink and minor-mega bullet lift we got over the towers for a smooth cranking ride to 6,800 or so. -
I left second, pimped and avoided a sink hole by doing so, and arrived at exit 11 with plenty and caught a nice screamer to clouds base over badger pocket. Clouds marked the tit so lift was easy to find at Boylston to 8,200 or so.
Now where? The wind turbines were all facing east and it seemed that the east wind was building a bit so a push to George seemed out of the cards. Due north a cloud street was forming over the plateau East of Mission Ridge. This street became the devils tail that I was to tickle for the next hour. It beckoned me to come hither with growing strength with each passing moment.
Before it became an issue however an amazing climb/gift was granted sw of the windmills at the heavy equipment training school. Over 5,000 feet up in one climb to 8,400 or so, which started as I was picking a smooth LZ.
Now it was off to the hills - you can play with it for a while but at one point about 5 miles in it became a go/no-go call and there was only one cloud left to "promise" lift in the dreaded tiger country.
I have been dreaming of this flight ever since Gordon Grice made the line for the first time a year and 4 months ago. Dreaming and doing are separated by opportunity and execution. It is the execution that is the act of will that is really hard at times like that.
To go and accept the consequences - Glory or Folly - potential folly met with a long hike as consequence becomes a challenge to overcome.
OK stop dreaming and GO! and off I went - Things worked fine in that last lift under the cloud and the SE winds were helping but sooner than later I was looking at tree tops and nice big REMOTE LZs
- ok - set up for landing - take your lumps. - then a gopher fart. - turn - nothing - turn and a blip. - no down just a touch - 350ft over set up to land - where to land? - a touch of lift and for 10 minutes or so - up a little - further down wind - up a little - more commitment to worse than ratty LZs, but up a little and then - REAL lift and a ridge I can make and AND AND - houses and roads!!!! - then ridges and lift and finally over a lovely ridge on the south of town which kept me flying for 10 minutes or so so I could get my coveted 4 hour flight along with the prize of Wenatchee Direct!
Stats: Distance 45 miles or so, Duration 4hr 5 min. Max up 2,350 ft/min. Max down 2,500 ft/m - Max Alt: 8,700ft
Sorry - No Pictures - It was 4 hours of nonstop work from launch to landing. Check out the track on Leonardo: www.paraglidingforum.com/leonardo/flight/263105
Monday, August 3, 2009
Idaho
FYI - it is a bit slow to update my blog but easy to do you tube. Every day you will find new video on view my YouTube button to the right. Injoy
Preacher
Preacher
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Rampart
Frank and Sam over Rampart Ridge
What an amazing place -
We had a fair day at Baldy with the crew: Sam, Mer, Frank, Steve T & Steve K, Dave W.
Not everyone flew due to high pressure and hard inversion dynamics not to mention that I ended up in the south LZ - Baldy can be a challenge and up to it Mer got to the windmills plus a bit.
Not wanting to take more than her share of good flights Mer didn't pack her wing in the truck as we went for seconds up the hill at rampart. - The road is smoother when you hike it but much easier in the truck.
At launch conditions were about a good as you could hope for and it is still tricky.
First Sam then Frank then Dave all executing flawless reverse cross wind cliff launches. - I watch and wondered and then went alpine. -
Sam The Man and a Classic Launch
Rampart has two tricky elements - Launch and landing - Other than that it is magical. - Lift was 1-300 up in glass smooth butter to about 7k. Views - well take a look - Two landed at Hyak exit and two at the dam. A great day was had by all.
Off to Idaho with Doc for more sketch mountain launches. Yahoo.
P.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Hang on to your Hat
Big days of summer are here. - I posted a warning last week about very active conditions. These warnings were well founded and produced both exciting and dangerous flights with many long efforts mixed in during the very successful Chelan Classic.
This is another warning!
We have had two serious accidents in the last two days!
The first was our friend Mr. Beaver. - I don't know the full details but based on Dr. Wheeler's assessment the situation had condition related elements. - BIG air - Big wind - Big ?caution? - Remember the video at Baldy with Doug Mullin. BIG day!
Earlier today I received a report of a serious (broken Humerus, compression fracture of lower back following a Big Hit - Came with air lift and later trip to Seattle for treatment) accident following an assumed collapse just after launch green monster late mid day at Chelan. - Pilot out of state from NY. - More info on request.
In posts about condition dangers over the past 2 weeks I got this sobering post from Doc. "Here's a quote from Willy Muller, who died a couple years ago flying Chelan in July: "Chelan is too dangerous to fly in July...". "
Tune up your skill, focus and get away from the hill. Listen to the Locals. Don't fly what you don't know!
Now is not the time to experiment mid day - Come with your full game face on!
The Aussi's are flying 100mile+ from Pine as we speek! - ROCK @ 11 (1,500fpm up guaranteed)
Preacher
This is another warning!
We have had two serious accidents in the last two days!
The first was our friend Mr. Beaver. - I don't know the full details but based on Dr. Wheeler's assessment the situation had condition related elements. - BIG air - Big wind - Big ?caution? - Remember the video at Baldy with Doug Mullin. BIG day!
Earlier today I received a report of a serious (broken Humerus, compression fracture of lower back following a Big Hit - Came with air lift and later trip to Seattle for treatment) accident following an assumed collapse just after launch green monster late mid day at Chelan. - Pilot out of state from NY. - More info on request.
In posts about condition dangers over the past 2 weeks I got this sobering post from Doc. "Here's a quote from Willy Muller, who died a couple years ago flying Chelan in July: "Chelan is too dangerous to fly in July...". "
Tune up your skill, focus and get away from the hill. Listen to the Locals. Don't fly what you don't know!
Now is not the time to experiment mid day - Come with your full game face on!
The Aussi's are flying 100mile+ from Pine as we speek! - ROCK @ 11 (1,500fpm up guaranteed)
Preacher
Friday, July 3, 2009
Day 3 found
Day one was one big mistake - left low and didn't make it past the first turn point.-
After doing fire stuff w/ top landing on day 2. Glad Matty was fine just in pain w/ back injury that will work itself out.
I was ready to fly on day 3
So now off to the races. -
I got high and tended to stay high - not always with others but always close. It was a fun and quick day one to the next - Found lift and sometimes big it was a great day of flying.
I made one decision that paid off big!!!
Heard from Mike H. that we should stay in the valley and not work back to the hills because it doesn't work as well. So when picking a line I always went outside or toward the valley to the left of the furthest out glider - It worked
Kept it up all the way to Goal. skimmed the last ridge at tree top and dropped in a spot landing at Goal.
8 other pilots at goal and I was last of the comp. 2 or 3 ff/wtec also made it.
Great day of flying and - Yea it is Great - No pic's only flying
Back to day 3.
Blog Blog Blog
I have tried to post several times but with out much success.
One more day left.
Day 1. - left too low - landed in lz after just making first waypoint
Day 2. - Top landed to help downed pilot
Day 3. - Great flight - made Goal and was only Sport class to do so and last to Goal of 9. - So I can Do this.
Day 4. - Tried to be clever and took an early trip to "Burnt" for top up but it wasn't working - ended up 3 ridges behind. Made it to 8k short of Goal.
Day 5 - Tried same thing and this time it worked - Massivly Good Start - 9.5K at start and 5 sec behind the leader - and above him - ROCKIN - then 15 min later nailed at Rabies with a painful landing high on the ridge - Brused ego and left heal.
Day 6 - Tried same thing and dusted in time for relaunch and on second flight came up 15k short of Grants pass but a wonderful fun flight .
Day 7 - TOMORROW - Big grins - Tired and at least 7 more pounds lighter.
See you all when we are done.
DAVE aka Preacher
One more day left.
Day 1. - left too low - landed in lz after just making first waypoint
Day 2. - Top landed to help downed pilot
Day 3. - Great flight - made Goal and was only Sport class to do so and last to Goal of 9. - So I can Do this.
Day 4. - Tried to be clever and took an early trip to "Burnt" for top up but it wasn't working - ended up 3 ridges behind. Made it to 8k short of Goal.
Day 5 - Tried same thing and this time it worked - Massivly Good Start - 9.5K at start and 5 sec behind the leader - and above him - ROCKIN - then 15 min later nailed at Rabies with a painful landing high on the ridge - Brused ego and left heal.
Day 6 - Tried same thing and dusted in time for relaunch and on second flight came up 15k short of Grants pass but a wonderful fun flight .
Day 7 - TOMORROW - Big grins - Tired and at least 7 more pounds lighter.
See you all when we are done.
DAVE aka Preacher
Monday, June 15, 2009
Weather
It is real - This past weekend we all faced weather and depending on "guts" and "smarts" we had various experiences with big air.
One pilot at the rock said - "See Ya" and drove off.
I had a great flight on Friday but was chased in the end by a slow moving front.
Three of us made our directional decision on Saturday bassed on working to stay wide or away from one of the biggest dumps/t-storms and rain drop the roads up baldy has had in several years.
Returning to the possiblility of glass at the end of the day we were kicked in the stomach as Doug got plucked and sent over the back. - He made some mistakes which he lists on his blog but we did as well as we were planning to launch at the same time.
While we waited for him to hike back up the North wind went to 25/30.
Lessons learned - Big weather is Big. - Margins are ??? enough.
Sunday more than one pilot was very wet after landing prior to a dumper. I got to the hill late and was going to fly until the wisdom side of my brain kicked in. We did fly a sledder when it was all shut down but I came to the hill ready to fly mid-day.
Monday I flew in the needle and had a nice flight but didn't push it and, due to nerves, missed out, on a great street running to the south east from Bill's. Big lift and great streets can run hand in hand with big risk.
When the weather is big expect big changes. - Calm to 30mph in less than 15 minutes.
Wait till it is stable and expect it to change anyway.
Maybe - just get in your car and say "See Ya, I don't fly when T-Storms are in the forecast."
Video of Doug's over the back:
Friday, June 12, 2009
First Day of Baldy Comp
Couple of post - see below. - ARUN had a great flight on Thur.
Pic of Thursday's CloudsFriday was an early day - Great Call Gordon.
I got off just before a big cu shut down the hill - No where to go but Selah Butte at that point - After 35 or 40 min Baldy started to work again and the flock was off -
I returned to join them and Doc and I were first off for Manastash.
Doc took the low road and I the high - He was faster and beat the development to well past Ryegrass and I went a bit higher and slower and had to turn back west, not making it in time to duck under the developing cu at Ryegrass.
Took the same route that Steve P. took a month ago - up past the windmills then turned back along the foot hills of North Eburg on a westerly track . - Didn't quite make 97 but had a great flight.
A cloud street sat over the foothills while a slow moving/growing cu built over Ryegrass after I left there. If I thermaled the cu would catch me and the suck/speed bar battle was on. -
This happened three times - none of which were fun. - Topped at 9,400 ft on the first fight. - Lots of weather/cloud work/learning. - Not a flight for the faint of heart. Check out the video:
Why SPOT
On Thur - We needed to Spot the big flier ARUN - BUT NOOO! he didn't have a spot on his great flight up 410. - Mer and I looked and looked but no ARUN.
GET A SPOT
GET A SPOT
Monday, June 8, 2009
Rules of Fronts and Flight to Wenas
The first flyable day after a cold front is the lowest cloud base. - Good conditions but not high sky cu. Tue should be the best XC but today was fine. Had a hard time as the Uptanum ridge and cloud base converged but it was a fine flight nonetheless.
Lots of walking - a good 1hr 45 min hike up Baldy at the end of the day. - Lost my hat in the UPS truck.
Fly again Wed.
Lots of walking - a good 1hr 45 min hike up Baldy at the end of the day. - Lost my hat in the UPS truck.
Fly again Wed.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Gust Front
WOW! - After 1 hr in the air - Rick got 2 - we were both down for better than 40 minutes and then:
Kiona Over the Back
Kiona Over the Back
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Twitter SPOT
Finaly figured out how to link my SPOT account to Twitter.
Why you might ask?
Twitter is a tool used to "follow" peoples actions and locations via web and or cell phone.
Paragliding retrieve involves "following" peoples actions and locations via CAR.
Linking SPOT TO TWITTER works like this:
Why you might ask?
Twitter is a tool used to "follow" peoples actions and locations via web and or cell phone.
Paragliding retrieve involves "following" peoples actions and locations via CAR.
Linking SPOT TO TWITTER works like this:
1. Get a twitter account: http://www.twitter.com/
2. Link you twitter account to twittermail: http://www.twittermail.com/
3. On your SPOT "Messenger Profile" add your new twittermail address to the notificaiton list.
This caused my SPOT account to email twitter with a tweet of my location when I press OK. (NB: you have to shorten your SPOT text message - tweetmail truncatess and you loose the lat/lon if you use more than 35 charitures for your name and phone number.)
My SPOT now TWEETS.
The advantage of this is that a stranger or potential retrieve driver met on the hill can now get your SPOT Ok messages w/location on their phone. To do this they:
- text: follow preacherw to 40404
Thats it. - Now your friend is following you and will get your GPS location when you SPOT
They can later turn off there following with a similar command:
To turn off notificatoin - text: leave preacherw to 40404
Good luck and let me know if I can follow you.
Oh a side note: If you have not tweeted or followed then twitter will set up your account when you send your first message to 40404, they ask your name - this will become your twitter userid. If you have not twittered yet 40404 is twitters SMS-phone number in the US.
Monday, June 1, 2009
Friday, May 29, 2009
Getting your lunch handed to you, or Are we having fun yet?
Today at Baldy and points East I was reminded or maybe taught where Eastern Washington thermal flying meets the question: "Are We Having Fun Yet?"
Paul my firefighter friend gave me a couple of hours and got me to launch about 2:00.
Cycles felt just right - light southerly mixed to 12 at peak. No question there was lift but no developing cumulus.
Launch and low lift were normal with fairly sharp edges to a small but strong house thermal. Action to 300 over was typical for a hot active day. Once over the towers life became more interesting. - The north and south flows converged at about 500 over and climb rate went to 5-7m/s. No worries but focus was needed to keep smooth in a bit of rocking and rolling.
At about 6,800 it became even more interesting. - The inversion layer had broken down but the top was still near. Twitchy air became violent, this twitch had real power from the 93 degree desert floor.
As you move round a strong Baldy Bullet it has always seemed safer and more stable to try to stay toward the center. Not today, today the center was too strong and crazy. To take on that buzzard was to subject oneself to 40 percenters, 180's, tossing back and forth with no right side pressure at all or was it left - anyway -, so the best bet was to stay on the outer edges and milk it, hoping you didn't fall back into the fire.
This might be fun if you pay for it at a theme park but - man - get me out of here.
On to exit 11 with my tail between my legs and plenty of lift with a bit more sanity on top along the way.
Caught good lift and a bit of crazy at the transition off Menastash to over 8,300. Again at the top it was leave or heave.
Nice glide to the Boylstons and the tit worked fine until about 5,500 and again all H... broke loose. Right, left, up down - where did that come from let me out and only 5,500. A bit of searching found a couple of better formed flows but still not to high and at this point I was totally gun shy.
I got to Rygras with 1,500 to 2,000 so I hoped maybe things would get better but - NO WAY. -
This is not fun and not getting high to boot just made the call all the easier. WE LAND right here, right now.
LOL - more of this on the way down but lots of room so the LZ was just fine and the landing soft but what a work out for a 16mile XC.
Are we having fun yet?
Paul my firefighter friend gave me a couple of hours and got me to launch about 2:00.
Cycles felt just right - light southerly mixed to 12 at peak. No question there was lift but no developing cumulus.
Launch and low lift were normal with fairly sharp edges to a small but strong house thermal. Action to 300 over was typical for a hot active day. Once over the towers life became more interesting. - The north and south flows converged at about 500 over and climb rate went to 5-7m/s. No worries but focus was needed to keep smooth in a bit of rocking and rolling.
At about 6,800 it became even more interesting. - The inversion layer had broken down but the top was still near. Twitchy air became violent, this twitch had real power from the 93 degree desert floor.
As you move round a strong Baldy Bullet it has always seemed safer and more stable to try to stay toward the center. Not today, today the center was too strong and crazy. To take on that buzzard was to subject oneself to 40 percenters, 180's, tossing back and forth with no right side pressure at all or was it left - anyway -, so the best bet was to stay on the outer edges and milk it, hoping you didn't fall back into the fire.
This might be fun if you pay for it at a theme park but - man - get me out of here.
On to exit 11 with my tail between my legs and plenty of lift with a bit more sanity on top along the way.
Caught good lift and a bit of crazy at the transition off Menastash to over 8,300. Again at the top it was leave or heave.
Nice glide to the Boylstons and the tit worked fine until about 5,500 and again all H... broke loose. Right, left, up down - where did that come from let me out and only 5,500. A bit of searching found a couple of better formed flows but still not to high and at this point I was totally gun shy.
I got to Rygras with 1,500 to 2,000 so I hoped maybe things would get better but - NO WAY. -
This is not fun and not getting high to boot just made the call all the easier. WE LAND right here, right now.
LOL - more of this on the way down but lots of room so the LZ was just fine and the landing soft but what a work out for a 16mile XC.
Are we having fun yet?
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
RULES TO LIVE BY
The lure of big air spring flying is very strong just about now. Many have been waiting for opportunity to fly and each "Good Day" seems like a unique opportunity that must not be missed. - Add to this the amazing flights we hear about and think - "if only I could have been there......".
Right about now the temptations are maxed out and the corresponding risk is as well. I haven't been around long enough to have correlative data but I must assume that spring is the most dangerous time in the air sport year.
Today I was reminded of a very valuable Rule/Lesson I last employed on Disappointment Cleaver on one of my last climbs on Rainer.
That day had temptations like spring flying:
I was lead with a friend whom I had promised I would "get to the top." I made the promise when we made the decision not to tempt weather and cold on a previous climb instead deciding to return down to camp. -
On the day in question we were climbing in chain with a large group of climbers forcing our speed to be faster than I was able to maintain. After 3 or 4 hours of fast pace climbing I was getting dehydrated and facing mild exhaustion. It was then that my mind began to fritz and I knew it. I couldn't tell if it was early signs of cerebral edema or just hyper exhaustion and dehydration.
The thing that saved me/us that day was remembering a rule given me by a very wise climbing buddy about making go/no go decisions during or prior to a climb.
Here is the Rule:
You can break a single rule some times if you understand the risk involved. - You may break a second rule and continue to climb if you must but you are now on very thin ice - YOU MUST NEVER break three rules at the same time during ANY climb.
Rule one: Climb with two rope teams: BROKEN
Rule two: Climb within your physical limits: BROKEN
Rule three: If your not thinking clearly don't go any higher: ALMOST BROKEN we went down.
This Rule of Three works for Paragliding as well and I found myself using it on Baldy today.
Rule one: Never fly Alone: - to be broken
Rule two: Fly only when you are feeling up to it and strong: I WAS TIRED
Rule three: Fly skies and conditions you know and are comfortable with: It looked prefrontal and winds were forecasted to increase in the afternoon. I didn't like the look of the sky, it was changing too fast.
I had three rules in front of me, and was thinking about breaking them until I remembered the RULE OF THREE. - NEVER! - I didn't - and thanks old friend for returning the call.
Right about now the temptations are maxed out and the corresponding risk is as well. I haven't been around long enough to have correlative data but I must assume that spring is the most dangerous time in the air sport year.
Today I was reminded of a very valuable Rule/Lesson I last employed on Disappointment Cleaver on one of my last climbs on Rainer.
That day had temptations like spring flying:
I was lead with a friend whom I had promised I would "get to the top." I made the promise when we made the decision not to tempt weather and cold on a previous climb instead deciding to return down to camp. -
On the day in question we were climbing in chain with a large group of climbers forcing our speed to be faster than I was able to maintain. After 3 or 4 hours of fast pace climbing I was getting dehydrated and facing mild exhaustion. It was then that my mind began to fritz and I knew it. I couldn't tell if it was early signs of cerebral edema or just hyper exhaustion and dehydration.
The thing that saved me/us that day was remembering a rule given me by a very wise climbing buddy about making go/no go decisions during or prior to a climb.
Here is the Rule:
You can break a single rule some times if you understand the risk involved. - You may break a second rule and continue to climb if you must but you are now on very thin ice - YOU MUST NEVER break three rules at the same time during ANY climb.
Rule one: Climb with two rope teams: BROKEN
Rule two: Climb within your physical limits: BROKEN
Rule three: If your not thinking clearly don't go any higher: ALMOST BROKEN we went down.
This Rule of Three works for Paragliding as well and I found myself using it on Baldy today.
Rule one: Never fly Alone: - to be broken
Rule two: Fly only when you are feeling up to it and strong: I WAS TIRED
Rule three: Fly skies and conditions you know and are comfortable with: It looked prefrontal and winds were forecasted to increase in the afternoon. I didn't like the look of the sky, it was changing too fast.
I had three rules in front of me, and was thinking about breaking them until I remembered the RULE OF THREE. - NEVER! - I didn't - and thanks old friend for returning the call.
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