Sixteen years of paragliding and I'd never done a maneuvers clinic! When Andrei and Irena invited us to join them for their second trip to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, we decided to go on the spur of the moment. It wasn't even supposed to be a real SIV conducted over the water but just a "Spring Tuneup" with truck towing on the lakebed of the Palisades Reservoir near Alpine, Idaho (about 35 miles from Jackson).
Wednesday 16 May We drove the Trooper so that there would be room for the four of us when we picked Andrei and Irena up at the airport in Boise. Gas mileage was better than I feared and the gas prices throughout the trip were lower than in the Puget Sound area. Around 6 p.m. we pulled into Ontario, Oregon where we had made reservations at the local Motel 6 - about $10 cheaper when using the internet. The manager directed us to a family-run steakhouse across the Snake River in Fruitland. Nichol's didn't look like much from the outside but the food was good, not very expensive and the place was decorated with antique-y kind of stuff.
Thursday 17 May There was no rush to get anywhere until 1345 when Andrei and Irena's plane arrived so we got some hot water for tea and cocoa, ate a scone and headed into Idaho to check out the new Sierra Trading Post store in Meridian. C.J. found some warm-weather clothing since we hadn't brought much with us expecting that it would be cold at 6200 ft in Jackson. It was already pretty warm in the Boise area and it got sunnier and warmer for most of our trip. Since it was too late by now to check out any of the flying sites, C.J. called Lisa and got an invitation to lunch. We met at her house, met the big dogs and got a tour of the glass workshop before heading downtown to PF Changs. Lunch was excellent - lettuce wraps, Singapore Street Noodles, and a beef dish. Just as we were driving away, Irena called to say that they had just landed. We dropped off Lisa and picked up Andrei and Irena and headed east on I-84. We stopped for an unmemorable Burger King dinner and gas in Idaho Falls and Andrei drove the rest of the way choosing to go up over Teton Pass. It was light enough to see the scenery and the deer alongside the road, but dark by the time we reached the summit. We got into our room at the Miller Park Lodge around 2130 and didn't waste much time before we were sacked out knowing that we had to meet Scott Harris, and his crew at the base of the gondola at 0730.
Friday 18 May The alarm went off at 0600 and gave us plenty of time for showers 
and breakfast. Unfortunately, the breakfast buffet did not start until 0730 but we still got some juice, yogurt and fruit from the office to go with our scones. We left at 0715 and got to the Teton Village parking lot just about on time but had to make a circuit through the lot before we spotted the paragliders. We filled out the usual waivers, hopped on the 4-person-plus-gear gondola and rode up to the 8600 ft terminus. The launch was a couple of hundred yards down a service road and we were the first clients to fly it. Conditions were light and when I launched, I flew straight out, sinking pretty rapidly and only going 10-12 mph. I was a little concerned because there was the big tram cable to cross, but it wasn't a problem and soon I was setting up for a landing near a small pond on the edge of the parking area. After everyone landed and the coffee
and breakfast. Unfortunately, the breakfast buffet did not start until 0730 but we still got some juice, yogurt and fruit from the office to go with our scones. We left at 0715 and got to the Teton Village parking lot just about on time but had to make a circuit through the lot before we spotted the paragliders. We filled out the usual waivers, hopped on the 4-person-plus-gear gondola and rode up to the 8600 ft terminus. The launch was a couple of hundred yards down a service road and we were the first clients to fly it. Conditions were light and when I launched, I flew straight out, sinking pretty rapidly and only going 10-12 mph. I was a little concerned because there was the big tram cable to cross, but it wasn't a problem and soon I was setting up for a landing near a small pond on the edge of the parking area. After everyone landed and the coffee truc
k had made some sales, we loaded back into the cars and drove to Wilson, parked and transferred into Scott's truck and headed up the Teton Pass road a few miles to the Phillips Canyon Road. Launch was at 8100 ft or so and was recently melted out and the aspens were just putting out leaves; a grouse (or something like a grouse) wandered through the setup area without seeming to be afraid of us fellow flyers. I launched first wanting to get off before it got strong. Going left, I left the bowl behind and got out on the ridge. There was lift but it was unorganized and sharp-edged. I stayed up nd climbed to the top of the ridge but that was as far as I could get. Eventually others launched and found lift farther out in front and got higher. I wasn't really sure where the LZ was and finally chose to go to the field nearest where we parked in Wilson. There was a bunch of construction going on - one of those $30 million dollar homes with a big artificial pond out front - but there was plenty of room to land on the grassy pasture and break down in the shade. [Time to get out of the warm clothes!]. By the time everyone had landed there was quite a bit of cloud development and we broke for lunch with the idea that we might be able to fly in the evening. We went back to Miller Park to nap or work while it rained a bit, and went out again at 1700 to meet at Cairns Park (behind the Virginian) where a bunch of paraglider people showed up. No one but Colby thought it was possible but Scott took us on a field trip out through the Elk Preserve to the Curtis Canyon site. Colby showe
d up and took his wing out of his truck but it was strong and over thte back, so not even he would fly. We drove back to town and tried the Stone Table for dinner but it was closed so we went next door to The Gunbarrel and had a combination platter of elk chops, bison prime rib, and venison bratwurst with pitchers of Teton Workhorse wheat ale. C.J. and I shared one meal and so did Andrei and Irena. We got to hear a lot about flying in Jackson Hole and how Scott runs his business.
k had made some sales, we loaded back into the cars and drove to Wilson, parked and transferred into Scott's truck and headed up the Teton Pass road a few miles to the Phillips Canyon Road. Launch was at 8100 ft or so and was recently melted out and the aspens were just putting out leaves; a grouse (or something like a grouse) wandered through the setup area without seeming to be afraid of us fellow flyers. I launched first wanting to get off before it got strong. Going left, I left the bowl behind and got out on the ridge. There was lift but it was unorganized and sharp-edged. I stayed up nd climbed to the top of the ridge but that was as far as I could get. Eventually others launched and found lift farther out in front and got higher. I wasn't really sure where the LZ was and finally chose to go to the field nearest where we parked in Wilson. There was a bunch of construction going on - one of those $30 million dollar homes with a big artificial pond out front - but there was plenty of room to land on the grassy pasture and break down in the shade. [Time to get out of the warm clothes!]. By the time everyone had landed there was quite a bit of cloud development and we broke for lunch with the idea that we might be able to fly in the evening. We went back to Miller Park to nap or work while it rained a bit, and went out again at 1700 to meet at Cairns Park (behind the Virginian) where a bunch of paraglider people showed up. No one but Colby thought it was possible but Scott took us on a field trip out through the Elk Preserve to the Curtis Canyon site. Colby showe
d up and took his wing out of his truck but it was strong and over thte back, so not even he would fly. We drove back to town and tried the Stone Table for dinner but it was closed so we went next door to The Gunbarrel and had a combination platter of elk chops, bison prime rib, and venison bratwurst with pitchers of Teton Workhorse wheat ale. C.J. and I shared one meal and so did Andrei and Irena. We got to hear a lot about flying in Jackson Hole and how Scott runs his business.Saturday 19 May We met Scott at 0900 about four miles west of Alpine along the shore of the reservoir. Justus and Colby joined us for the towing and maneuvers; Jeff Coulter and Josh Riggs were running the tow boat, and Scott and Matt Combs took turns with the coaching. The launching and landing area was a huge grassy, sloping field with a 2-3 ft drop-off down to the cobble/gravel beach. We towed straight off the meadow getting into the air before reaching the drop-off, then turned W and headed down the lake. At some point the boat made a U-turn and headed back east past the launch. Depending on the wind we would release opposite launch or farther east. On my first tow I was surprised to be coached to do a full frontal for my first maneuver; I had kind of expected to do some big-ears to warm up. From there we went to B-line stall, asymmetric collapses left and right (steer to clear) and spiral dive with recovery surge lessened by a turn in the same direction as the spiral. On the second tow we went to accelerated asymmetrics, accelerated full frontal, asymmetric holding the A-line down
to turn 180 degrees and exit like a spiral dive, and asymmetric spirals with the same recovery with a turn. By the time it was my turn to tow again the sky had definitely started to get overdeveloped. I launched anyway but the tow was unpleasant and the maneuvers felt different with the added motion imparted by rough thermals. I still managed to do several B-line stalls, asymmetric collapses, and attempts at doing asymmetric spirals. Even though the locals continued to tow and do acro, we mere mortals started to practice kiting, and when the wind died, even began to pack up. I was a little late to catch the hint and had to yank my wing to the ground when a gust front blew through. After that we barely managed to get everything into the Trooper before the shower soaked the gear. On the way back we stopped at Smiths to buy a couple of roasted chickens, rolls, olives and mushrooms from the olive bar, watermelon and beer for dinner on our own at the lodge. Later we went out to walk through town to look at the shops; on the way back the sky was clear enough to see Venus very close to the crescent moon.
to turn 180 degrees and exit like a spiral dive, and asymmetric spirals with the same recovery with a turn. By the time it was my turn to tow again the sky had definitely started to get overdeveloped. I launched anyway but the tow was unpleasant and the maneuvers felt different with the added motion imparted by rough thermals. I still managed to do several B-line stalls, asymmetric collapses, and attempts at doing asymmetric spirals. Even though the locals continued to tow and do acro, we mere mortals started to practice kiting, and when the wind died, even began to pack up. I was a little late to catch the hint and had to yank my wing to the ground when a gust front blew through. After that we barely managed to get everything into the Trooper before the shower soaked the gear. On the way back we stopped at Smiths to buy a couple of roasted chickens, rolls, olives and mushrooms from the olive bar, watermelon and beer for dinner on our own at the lodge. Later we went out to walk through town to look at the shops; on the way back the sky was clear enough to see Venus very close to the crescent moon.Sunday 20 May We had to be down at the lake by 0800 this morning so we could get in as many tows as possible before the wind got strong or it overdeveloped as it did yesterday. We got in two tows each in good conditions and watched Colby fail to pull out of whatever maneuver he was doing and splash into the water, just barely getting his reserve parachute out before he hit. Wade also looked like he was on track for a bath when he failed to steer out of a spiral dive until it was almost too late. Andrei kept us riveted with his maneuvers, especially when he pulled off a quite creditable helicopter. My last flight was my best even though the radio fastened to my PFD was too far back and could not be heard in the middle of a maneuver what with all the wind noise. The asymmetric spirals seemed to go well with good exits - I did maybe three before I started to feel nauseous. Then I managed a good B-line stall by grabbing higher up on the lines. Matty had me finish up with asymmetric with steer and clear, some wingovers, and asymmetrics that I held for 180 degrees before letting the wing recover. We broke early as the weather was turning bad with wind and overdevelopment. We stopped at Smiths on the way back again and picked up salad makings for dinner. After dinner we drove out along the Wilson-Moose road and saw deer, elk and a coyote. We continued north along the main highway as far as Mt. Moran spotting bison and a herd of elk along the way. We made a stop at the Cunningham Cabin site then turned back and drove the loop out toward Kelly just as it began getting dark.
Monday 21 May We were hoping to fly at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort meeting at 0730 at the gondola but the weather was showery and overcast. We got packed up and Andrei and Irena went out to shop for some souvenirs. By 1000 or so we were on the road stopping for gas (prices had gone up at least five cents per gallon in the last three days to $3.16) and then heading up over Teton Pass again. We stopped at Fred Meyer in Idaho Falls for a bathroom break and then went back in to visit Starbucks. We got a call from Bill Anderson that we could drop off our wings at his shop in Moore so we took Route 20 along the northern edge of the Snake River Plain through the Idaho National Lab, Arco, and on to Moore. After handing our wings over to Bill we drove out to the base of King Mountain to look at the incipient flight park and the LZ. We had lunch in the car because the wind was so strong (a headwind all day and much of the next day) in the sun in Arco behind a church for a windbreak. We got into Boise and checked into Motel6 and got some ideas for where to eat dinner from the manager. We found Bardenays, a distillery/pub in the Basque district not far from PF Changs and had a good dinner. Lisa was able to join us for a glass of wine after her conference call with the Executive Committee.
Tuesday 22 May I got up early with Andrei and Irena to take them to the airport - just five minutes away - at 0540. C.J. was still in bed when I got back so we slept for another hour or two. After some leftovers for breakfast we headed on into the wind which didn't let up until we were beyond the Blue Mountains. We made a couple of pit stops and filled the gas tank in Nampa and Yakima (lousy mileage with the headwind). We were home before 1700 and picked up our mail.
Expenses:
SIC clinic $800
Gas $300 (?)
Lodging $76
Food $100
Expenses:
SIC clinic $800
Gas $300 (?)
Lodging $76
Food $100
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