A week or so ago the Wasatch Mountains were hit with the first measurable snow of the year. This is usually a turning of the tide in paragliding when most pilots pack up their wings and pull out the ski gear in a mad rush for the hills of white. At the conclusion of the storm I too found myself heading up familiar hills, but not with hopes of gliding through fields of snow….but to continue floating over them. I have lived here in the Wasatch my whole life and have been skiing/snowboarding for 35 years. I have experienced every kind of powder turn, and to me nothing can compare to cutting through the winter sky in a paraglider. So I always look forward to winter flying. For me, there is no such thing as a beginning or end to the flying season, which many people find rather odd. For me, it is always time to fly the mountains. Sure the air texture and temperatures change with each season, but the pure miracle and exhilaration of flight never does.
I was lucky enough to capture a handful of thrilling days and rare treats in the wake of this last winter storm. Catching a few rare thermal days in the mountains. One special day flying up, over, and around Grandeur Peak and the surrounding canyons and mountains, all covered in white. Another flying up and around the Lone Peak area for a solid hour and a half in the early winter thermic air. Beautiful evening flights at sunset from high up in the mountains. Rare treats indeed!
I think the last 72 hours have been the real turning of the tide. For winter has surely come. At my house, tucked up to the mountains, we have received over 24″ of fluffy Utah snow. I have shoveled my driveway more times that I did all of last year. I too look forward to ‘recreational’ and relaxing ski days ahead with my kids, but I still look forward to carving the smooth, cold air of winter. This is a wonderful season for flying, and with the turning of the tide I look forward to keeping my feet off the ground as much as I can…after all my feet start hurting when they have been on the ground too long.
The storm has ended, the sky is clearing and my feet are starting to hurt again…. :o)
