FLYIN' OFF MY BACKYARD MOUNTAIN

I can see the "B" launch from my backdoor and on a good day I can fly all the way back home.

By KAVU

November 15^th, 2016

THIS flight is from the “B”

A local flying hill about a 10 minute drive from my house. I can see the launch from my backdoor and on a good day I just wait until the clouds start popping before driving to launch. This particular flight was special because I was able to climb high enough to get a great view of the local mountains, and then glide out into the city and land in my backyard. It's probably my favorite flight to do.

watch and learn

A couple of the local pilots were already there. It's good to watch someone launch so you can get an idea of the conditions that day. From up here you can see the entire city in the background. It's super cool that the mountains are so close to the city supplying easy access to the good times.

launch

I always find it amusing and amazing that you can take a pile of nylon and strings on the ground, tug on them, and turn it into a flying device. Pretty wild if you ask me!

First thing you do after launch is look up and make sure your wing is good. It's always nice to see everything looking like it should.

Time to get into the “pod”.

It's like a floating hammock of sorts that is build into the paragliding harness. Not only does it keep you warm, but it's more aerodynamic allowing you to get a little bit better glide.

thermals... yes please.

On a good day you start climbing right on launch and are soon a few thousand feet above where you started. This is from a combination of thermals and ridge lift from the air rising off the mountains and rock faces below. Soon the dry grass and dirt becomes tall pine trees with patches of snow.

in with the good air.

As you climb even higher the terrain starts to look like the alps. I've always been wowed by the beauty of the mountains we have here in Utah. It's a special thing to get to fly among them. After climbing to about 11,000' it's time to go on glide.

Can I make it to my house? I think so!

About 7 miles out in the valley is my home conveniently located right next to a large park. A few times a year when the conditions are just right I can actually fly to my house. Today the glide was good enough I made it to the LZ with about 3,000 feet to spare. It's wild to go from flying in the mountains to flying over a giant city.

Target acquired.

All the fields were being used for soccer games except one so that made it easy to pick the spot to land. Come in low over the basketball court puts you in just the right spot to land in the center of the field.