earth turns and wind burns

Comal river swim

noreply@blogger.com (Ben Dunn) — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 04:48:00 +0000

For some reason most public pools close in winter here in these parts of Texas. After falling in the river and realizing how warm and clear the water is. I figured I'd swim in the river.

While thinking about that I wondered how the GoPro might work...

I figured there was no harm in trying (apart from looking a right dork).

I was quite surprized by the results, I figured there would be water splashes on the lens, and an angle that saw the back of my head and sky, some of the pictures came out well.

The Comal River and spring is part of the fascinating Eduards Aquafer system of overground and under ground rivers. Definitely warrants further exploration :)

Internet Strike

noreply@blogger.com (Ben Dunn) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 16:09:00 +0000

It appears that there is a fair bit of support of the "STOP SOPA and PIPA" bills already, but the gap between senate and actual public opinion is vast. So a little more emphasis...

For example Trey's creative talents like his most recent below could not legally be shared.
This Spring at Marina from Trey Kropp on Vimeo.
For more information this presentation words the situation well.

PROTECT IP / SOPA Breaks The Internet from Fight for the Future on Vimeo.

Another Float on the Guadalupe

noreply@blogger.com (Ben Dunn) — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 17:58:00 +0000

Another day, another float, this time the Guadalupe below Canyon lake for about 7 miles.

One thing you may notice, county roads in Texas are named FM (Farm to Market), Which would be CR in California or just "B" in the UK. I haven't found a Farm to Farm road yet...

For the most part the river was a bit on the shallow side.

The water might be a bit higher in the summer when water is let out of the dam a little faster to keep the water from getting too warm for the fish.

A raft would have been a more appropriate craft, not that I have one.

Splendid day out none the less. Pre-occupying my mind that instead wants to be in Forbes right now. Where the Hang Gliding PreWorlds are full swing. A few days to go and they have already flown over 1000km (600miles) !

We pulled out near this crazy 7 story treehouse.

A couple more Texas rivers

noreply@blogger.com (Ben Dunn) — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 19:15:00 +0000

We put in this time up in Guadalupe River State Park.

It's 20 miles or so upstream of Canyon Lake.

With the rocky cliffs, clear water teaming with Catfish, Spotted Gar, Perch, Turtles and more, it is a scenic river.

Nice day to be on the water :)

A few days later Kit, Andy and myself put in, in San Marcos with the car parked 10 miles downstream.

Just look at how clear the water is !! It's straight out of the Aquifer, drinkable and slightly above swimming pool temperature. Which is good as I continue to find myself up-side-down every now and then ;)

The Turtles seem to like the warm water too.

This rope swing was too tempting to pass up :)

You never know what you might find in the river !

Note to self 10miles is a long paddle in a slow flowing river. Fun day though !

New Year 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Ben Dunn) — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 15:46:00 +0000

For New Years eve, Kit, Joel, Andy, Heidi, Deidre, went out to Lulling to watch the last 2011 Sunset.

It was a nice warm and calm evening.

Perfect for a little bit of this.

Kit took his Freedom for a high cruise too.

Then we went out and saw the Midnight River Choir, which I really enjoyed.

The Mystiqueros rocked it too. Really enjoyed the song "Love is more like a river than a road"

Happy New Year, one and all :)

Kayaking upstream

noreply@blogger.com (Ben Dunn) — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 04:09:00 +0000

What to do today? Something different! Explore somewhere local and get some exercize...

I've been eyeing up the Guadalupe river each time I pass over the bridge. Time for a kayak tour.

A small amount of research on Google earth found a launch point right under the I35 freeway - nice - not!

No matter, soon we we are headed upstream.

Look closely and you'll see a couple of turtles on the tree.

We headed up the Comal river.

Which is pretty amazing, a few of the rivers around here are spring fed, 72'F year round and outstandingly clear. That's swimming pool temperature ! Check out this link.

We found some rather sedate rapids to play in, still fun though.

And still easy enough to topple in - hah hah.

Leon Creek

noreply@blogger.com (Ben Dunn) — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 01:52:00 +0000

Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without buying myself a new toy, so i picked up a chest mount for the goPro Camera. I headed for Government Canyon State park, only to find it closed tue, wed, thu... Sad, closed even to walking ? I don't know. The concept of closing the outdoors seems strange to me, outside of nuclear leaks, or war zones etc.

Plan B then, Leon Creek, which has some single track too. Jeff and Heidi showed me around on Thanks Giving - Thanks Jeff, Thanks Heidi :)

So here are some results from the chest mounted GoPro.

The angle is pretty neat, and no need to stop for every photo op.

Of Course the angle gets to be a bit the same after a while.

But last time I went I had not camera (or a chance of keeping up) ;)

Night Ops

noreply@blogger.com (Ben Dunn) — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 00:37:00 +0000

I had seen these lights off in the distance a week ago, and was told they were off-limits, as they were in an airforce base.

Well, what better way to see Christmas lights, than to sneak through the boundary, under the cover of darkness by kayak in the rain ;)

The rain was not really part of the plan, arriving 12hours before forecast, but somehow added to the experience.

I gotta say, it was a good laugh sneaking around the Christmas parade.

Hope this puts you all in a Christmassy Spirit ;) Merry Christmas !

Enchanted Rock

noreply@blogger.com (Ben Dunn) — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 21:50:00 +0000

A friend and I headed out to Enchanted Rock State Park, just north of Fredericksburg.

Its a pretty place, fairly small for a state park, I think we walked 2/3 of the trails in under 3 hours.

It was a nice break from the local scene.

It reminded me a little of Pinnacles Nation Monument.

Lots of interesting rock formations.

A pretty day, nice and relaxing.

Going Underground

noreply@blogger.com (Ben Dunn) — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 23:12:00 +0000

After six days straight at the Luling airfield it was time to go explore somewhere. Kit, Ewelina and me, headed to Natural Bridge Caverns.

Its been a little while since I've been down a cave.

Being a tourist cave, venturing off the path is off limits, but that keeps the spectacular formations prestine.

I forgot my camera, not that I've had much luck with underground photography in the past.

These pictures were all taken with my phone! I can't believe how well they came out.

Of course the cave is very well lit.

The short trip made me want to join a "Spelunking" club, I have great memories from teenage years, swimming through caves in freezing water, and climbing up waterfalls in the pitch black.

Texas

noreply@blogger.com (Ben Dunn) — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 06:16:00 +0000

Well it has been a busy few weeks here in Texas. Much of my time has been spent working on the website for the Hang Gliding school we are putting together ThermalRiders, it's a work in progress still, but has the basics at least. Between that, testing out the equipment and teaching, there's not been time for much else. Having said that, I did get to check out San Antonio a bit more, the art gallery has a sky bridge with a view of the city, the building itself is the old Lone Star Brewery.

Last week I designed and put up some posters for Faulkers pub. Which hopefully will get a few more folks interested in Hang Gliding locally here.

Driving back from Luling we stumbled on this gasoline station, I think it was still in operation, I don't think they take credit cards though ;)

Finally I got out and about yesterday, Kit, my partner in crime took my by the Gruene Hall, a famous music Hall.

Looking at all the old photos I look forward to seeing some of of the music I like here.

Gruene also has a nice river running through it, which deserted at the moment is packed in the summer by people tubing. Easy to see why.

Locally there is a strong German influence, New Braunfels hosts a "Wurstfest" I don't know about how traditional that might be in Germany ?

There was plenty of Sauerkraut and German beer on hand, it certainly was a popular festival.

Lookout Halloween

noreply@blogger.com (Ben Dunn) — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 16:57:00 +0000

The folks at Lookout Mountain really know how to throw a party. I know that from the last time I visited, the hospitality is outstanding. I'll let the picture speak for itself.

Since first seeing this ramp in May, it had a strong allure over me, generating huge desire to run off of it. (better to do this with a glider).

I was so pleased to get to fly over the fall colors.

Even more pleased when the sled ride I was expecting at 5:30pm in November turned into a boaty soaring flight.

I flew out to Trenton along the path of the May Tornado, the grey leafless path up the mountain is the route we both took. (right hand side of the picture) Interesting that it was a good "lift line" this flight too.

Back passed the launch ramp.

The sunset lit up the fall colors very nicely - wow, what a day.

I am stoked with this flight.

There's the launch ramp again.

Darkness approaches, time to get down.

first autumn in 17 years

noreply@blogger.com (Ben Dunn) — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 13:52:00 +0000

Here we are at Lookout Moutain Flight Park, since passing through in May, I wanted to return and fly. Never would have thought it would be so soon.

Tired from the drive Jamie and I went and checked out the fall colors at Cloudland Canyon State park, instead of flying.

I don't recall seeing a deciduous autumn since leaving England all those years ago.

The vibrant colors and smells, brought memories flooding back.

Our timing was good on the evening light too :)

Tomorrow I have a go getting some in air shots.

journey stories

noreply@blogger.com (Ben Dunn) — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 17:21:00 +0000

A trip cannot be without stories...

I left on this trip cutting a few corners after running out of time... Or perhaps having different priorities ;) Anyway I didn't get to giving my tyres the attention they needed, and it was not a huge surprize when one went flat in Texas with just 7 hours to go. I had to move a whole lot of junk to get at the spare and the jack, but the drizzle had eased so no big deal. Resting the spare up against the trailer, I wrestled the jack out of the truck. About then I heard tyres on gravel and assumed the local hiway patrol was rolling up to check on me. I pride myself on being resourceful and was thinking how I did not need any help, pleased that all the tools were working well. Only, when I looked up there was no trooper, just my spare wheel slowly accelerating down a hill into the endless on-ramp of I10, I dropped everything and took off after it, flipflops slapping in the drizzle with wild abandon, this thing was picking up speed! I had to get it before the steeper part of the hill, or best case it would have been a hour walk, or worse? A lose wheel on the interstate? Well I got it, and had a good laugh at myself, for the instant change in attitude from "cocky" to "f&*$%k!!!" and was thankful for my better luck. That could have gone worse...

Soon enough I was again on my way.

Next - Lookout Mountain Flight Park - Georgia.

I am ALIVE !!!

noreply@blogger.com (Ben Dunn) — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 21:13:00 +0000

It has been a crazy month, which has left me me feeling very much alive. Right now I am driving across the country from San Francisco to San Antonio, Texas, my new home to be. A relationship ended, some couch surfing ensued, lots of work, a new special friendship started with explosive energy, mountain biking, hang gliding, music and some walking, packing and reorganising. I made good with my old job working tandems, and will start anew in Texas. I am sad to leave the San Francisco Bay Area and all my friends of the last 17 years, but am excited to start something new that potentially be something I can be proud of. More about that soon...

Loaded with as many toys as I could fit.

California - I'll be back !

Thoughts on Santa Cruz Flats Meet

noreply@blogger.com (Ben Dunn) — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 17:30:00 +0000

Right up until the last day I had flown well and scored well. Pleased I was, until I got a little ahead of myself.
Day break.

Seeing a dust devil ahead, I took off and a few others followed, we had not quite topped out the climb. Flying over where the dust devil had been we felt not much of a burble uh-oh. Continuing on, finding some chop I continued on looking for the real climb, keeping an eye on Ricker who had wisely stayed in the chop, searching for the core. I found something but it was too small to work, seeing Ricker start to make some progress upward I headed back. I found nothing and was down to 400ft. I landed and watched as one climb later pilots were getting to 15,500ft. Sometimes 5 seconds can make all the difference. And has been pointed out to me sometimes 1/4 second can make all the difference. Leaving the gaggle was a mistake. A great meet regardless.
The Davis and David duo.

Back on day3 we ended up taking shelter from the gust front in the Bent Prop Saloon at the Eloy infamous Skydive centre.

Here is the gust front coming through just as I had zipped up my glider bag. Interesting to see the lifting dust being on the trailing edge of the front and not the head. I am thinking perhaps this may have been one gustfront catching another... perhaps. Either way good to be on the ground.

Top 10 pilots O.B. taking the meet. Excellently flown.

Check out Bretts Video too, gives a great prespective on flying this Arizona meet.

A Gaggley day

noreply@blogger.com (Ben Dunn) — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 18:44:00 +0000

My Mentor - CRV says I need to blog more.

Here is the gaggle over the "backgammon" mine as we've named it.

Half way round the course at Newman peak

Thermalling with teammate Bill.

Gliding over conservatively into goal.

Scheming my appraoch.

Turning onto final.

score's are here and overall
more upto date blow by blow commentary here :
And my live tracklog updated as I fly here :

pictures of yesterdays adventure

noreply@blogger.com (Ben Dunn) — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 18:43:00 +0000

Santa Cruz Flats 2011 Day 3

noreply@blogger.com (Ben Dunn) — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 15:43:00 +0000

Playing with the spot Tracker software some more...

Yesterday was a tough day from many. So tough and unfair that the day was devalued to 650 points or so. I was the last of 5 into Goal. But I had a really rewarding few hours flying with Larry.

scores day3 and total.

Santa Cruz Flats 2011 Day 3

Share your Adventures with SpotAdventures
On a tenuous glide to goal, 12.5 : 1 worked out this time, with even 300 feet to spare.

Santa Cruz Flats 2011 - in the air

noreply@blogger.com (Ben Dunn) — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 14:55:00 +0000

Yesterday was some fairly technical flying for some. It appears a good strategy here is to fly conservatively and high.

Jamie checks I have my head on straight...

The start was very slow, the day did turn on about 1:15pm or so, which seemed to me to be about the same time it turned on yesterday.

I went on course 15mins ahead of yesterday since I ran out of daylight then!

Here's a fairly typical view here in the flats.

Some pretty gnarly terrain, with big Seguaro cactus just to make the possibility of landing out that much more intimidating.Picachu peak (an old volcano) is just to the right (south) of courseline.

And back at goal - I got stuck near Eloy airport for 40mins, better late than short!

Santa Cruz Flats 2011 Day 1

noreply@blogger.com (Ben Dunn) — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 04:37:00 +0000

I flew with my new SPOT device today. It worked fairly well considering I forgot about it and rolled it up in my harness bag and stuffed in in the leg pocket face down ... OOooops ;)

I landed short today, not by much, I walked my glider in the rest of the way! 700meters maybe ?

Jamie is blogging at http://santacruzflatsrace.blogspot.com/ There should be some scores up soon somewhere. I shall try and take some pictures tomorrow.

I am quite impressed with the Spot messenger service. It works as a satellite transponder so it sends location info back to the satellite. That info then lands on the internet, and can also be automatically sent out as text messages. Check it out below.

Day 1 Santa Cruz Flats Hang Gliding Race 2011

Share your Adventures with SpotAdventures

Indian Valley - Labor Day 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Ben Dunn) — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 03:52:00 +0000

I've missed this event the last few years, all my flying buddies in the local area that can make it get invited up to a private camp ground where we all eat and hang out between flying. Its a fantastic spot hidden up near Lake Almanor and Mt Lassen. And a tremendous amount of fun. Of a few launches, this one is known as "The Burn" It's a flat slope at 6200ft so it would be an appropriate description of the run, but actually it's named because of a fire quite a few years ago.

Indian Valley has some topography that just melds with the weather to create the "wonder wind", keeping pilots aloft until way after they should land ;)

It was easy to hang out at 10k just boating around, and taking in the scenery. You'll see that little lake "Homer" again in a moment.

One of the big events this weekend was Tracey's induction to the big mountains. Of course this air is some royal introduction to the mountains and not only that, Carmela to whom I am now indebted (more) helped Tracey mentally and otherwise prepare for the flight, since I was off chasing clouds, finding exactly where the strongest sink was ;)

Tracey launched about an hour before sunset... I hung out ZZZZZZZzzzzzzzz ;)

There was about 20fpm everywhere at that point. I chased her around trying to take pictures with my go-pro. My other camera was dead. Wideangle doesn't work so well unless you are really close - like inches !!

The next day we planned on a short hike around Homer Lake before glass off. Left a little late, walked a bit longer than expected and all but missed the glass off. Sorry about that Wayne.

It was a nice walk, the dogs sure enjoyed it.

The green rocks on the north side were quite green, maybe this is why copper creek is named such!

The pines caught the not so early evening sun.

That evening Ryan was dropping some heavy hints that Hough would be launchable the next morning. He was right :) he put together his freedom in record time and was gone in a flash. Joe followed him soon after. The it was Tracey's turn.

Its a really steep, no wind launch, down into a volcano crater across the crater lake then out the main valley..

Quite spectacular I am sure you would agree.

We launched pretty early in the morning since launch faces west and prevailing winds are almost always from the west later in the day. Todays forecast was no exception.

Early morning means smooth air. Good for site intros and good for expression. I've upgraded to a stronger harness and fatter sidewires and felt a little better about doing these kind of maneuvers :)

From there we were on our way home. Another huge thank you to Stacy for taking care of all us "kids", (kids at heart anyway). Fabulous weekend. Be sure to check out this "lucky escape" video of the Hough launch. And Tom's video capturing the Indian Valley flavour :)

St John 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Ben Dunn) — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 20:08:00 +0000

With an emphasis on fun four truck loads of SF Bay pilots headed north to St John for the weekend. We all elected to go early Saturday morning and head straight up the mountain. Arriving just in time for the pilot briefing.

Leo set some fun tasks. Saturday's format was fly anywhere you want and for scoring purposes you could use two of any number of way-points taken during flight. Straight line distance between points was used as score.

A sailplane showed us there was enough lift to get up and going.

St John has a long glide out to convenient LZ's. Landing options in the immediate vicinity are limited and not "preferred".

A convergence set up close to where it usually does, just a little out of reach over dinosaur country toward Hull mountain

After hanging out at cloud base for a while I headed on course not really hitting much until Alder Springs road.

After a brief climb I turned around short of Paskenta returning just six miles into the headwind. Perhaps not the best strategy. Oh well, it was indeed fun.

Sunday, a similar weather day, Leo called the same task but with the requirement to land at Mary's Lz before 5pm or score Zero. This changes the strategy entirely. I do like simple rules that yield complex strategy's. I think that is the definition of elegance.

I got to cloud base and headed out toward Gilmore peak. I got a nice climb just short of there back to 7.5k It was a really slow and broken climb though with at least 3 different wind directions in different layers. A fun challenge with great view of Eastpark Lake (below) Indian Valley lake, and even lake Pilsbury

After tagging a point in the valley passed Gilmore peak I tried to head back to Launch. I guessed a 65% chance of getting up from low on the switch backs and I chickened out...

This is Abisheck landing nicely at Mary's.

The two Ernies worked hard to put on a nice BBQ feast for us right there in the LZ. Delicious as usual.

The club presented the generous and welcoming Mary (landing field owner) with a gift, and awards were presented for flights / landings / retrieves of merit.

Vince took the informal meet, with Chris Arai close behind, and me just behind him. Drivers also got awards - we were very lucky to get smart, helpful and gorgeous drivers (Mele and Julia). Thank you !

Most importantly a huge thank you to Sonoma Wings for hosting yet another successful Fly-In, and to Camelback and Flytec for sponsoring the event. Results here

Unforgettable weekend in memory of Crystel

noreply@blogger.com (Ben Dunn) — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 03:08:00 +0000

It was an amazing weekend for her memorial and also the weekend she would have wanted for us.An evening view from Glacier point.An evening view of the moon from Glacier point (through a local astronomy club telescope)Standing on launch, in the morning.LaunchingAnd Flying away.Cruising by Glacier viewpoint.Greater and Little Yosemite Valleys, Nevada Falls in the background.Crossing the valley to Yosemite falls.Its really an amazing thing to fly right upto them.Back into the Valley.Over Leidig Meadows.In for a landing (watch out for holes).In the afternoon, we floated down the Merced river, a very pleasant thing to do.With Ryan and Mele, John and Charlie.And the entire gang really :) What great fun.Sunday I watched a few launches (John). Ryan on what may be a familiar Northwing Freedom ;)Charlie for the crowd.Breath-taking and unforgettable.

Thoughts on the King Meet.

noreply@blogger.com (Ben Dunn) — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 19:35:00 +0000

With two flights to Salmon, one to May, one to the cement plant on route 3 only good enough for 6th, you can tell it was an exceptional year.

Even with flights that good I find myself asking how could I have flown better ? What, where and when would have made a difference ?

Probably the first day, made the biggest difference. While flying along route 1, there was a wall of light virga with a gap or window of opportunity to fly through. As a team, and after good discussion we flew threw it thinking conditions would worsen through the day. There was an unfreindly gust front some 8oooft below us after gliding through the window. We crossed into the valley behind where we would be safe from that gust front. The turbulence crossing the mountain range was enough for my carabiner to be facing the other way on landing. We got flushed in that next valley, and were all happy to be safely on the ground. An hour later, those more patient flew 10,000ft over us And glided 40miles passed into Salmon.

The third day, route 3 was called, but I got a very late start, maybe 1.5 hour after those that did well left. I also took an interesting route (around Arco a 15 mile detour). This was a challenging 10 mile punt into a 20+ mph headwind. But it payed off as I ended up up wind of courseline under a nice cloudstreet. As I was gliding I tried to skip a cloud that didn't work (with the little attention I spared it) and the sink was too much to reach the next street. That mistake put me on the ground. At the time I was OK with that as the sky ahead looked not so great,
but of course 20mins later it looked fabulous...
The last day, had amazing conditions. If I hadn't neglected my vario, so that it was actually working, I am sure I would have made much better of the day, and got to see more new terrain (for me).

During the meet, there were definately some key moments where I knew I was at a strategic decision point, and where I was unsure which was the better of two options. In the end (especially in open distance) patience appears on average the better strategy.

The final scores are published
here : www.flykingmountain.com/contestresults.html#results2011

Dave Aldrich, Jared Abrams, Rod and more came out to collect ariel footage for the Movie "Dreaming Awake" (link). I Can't wait to see what they got :)Trey also made this very entertaining video. King Mountain

The event has been over a couple of weeks now but the stunning scenery, wild weather, the camaraderie all live on.