More Flying – September 27/28

Hike & wait


After two more flights at Bridal Falls with a couple of maneuvers (asymmetricals, frontals and a baby spiral) I finished the novice course and have now my Paraglider Novice rating. Enjoying the newly earned freedom (of being signed off and cerified to fly on my own) Pete and I hiked the next morning up to Upper Bridal Launch were we waited for good conditions for too long (welcome to ‘hike and wait’). I had no problems launching in light winds, but things were not as easy for Pete. The wind shut down and it took him three attempts over the next hour to finally get in the air. Even the constant stream of ATV and dirt bike riders abated so Pete had a true solo-launch.

Fraser River and Hwy 1 at Bridal Falls (and my hiking boots)

ATV Parade at Upper Bridal Launch

Airy Weekend - September 13/14

This was quite the flying weekend! Two days of paragliding and lots of “firsts”: first flight from a new site (Mt. Woodside), first day with 4 flights, first landing on Big Ears, first tandem spiral with Tom (and huge wingovers), first early morning flight after camping at Bridal launch (watching the sunrise while floating through the air all by myself). My favored flight was the one from Elk Mountain, which is just around the corner in the Chilliwack Valley (first hike&fly). Pretty cool to see the rapids I paddled so many times from a birds perspective. And also the first day of paragliding that really exhausted me (the physical effort, not an imminent heat stroke).


Team Deimos checking out Harvest Dykes LZ (not our shuttle truck)


Woodside Launch


Afternoon rush hour above Woodside


Tom talking Jeremy through maneuvers


Pete cruising with Harrison Lake in the background


Last evening flight - Fraser Valley view from a front row (pilot) seat


Setting up at Elk Mountain, after 800 m elevation gain with a 15 kg pack


Hikers and Flyers in front of Border Peaks and Tomihoy


Tom testing the air and Mt. Baker


Tire wire


Tire fix




Wil and Laura launching from Bridal:

Lady Peak Hike - September 7

Lady Peak - Route follows scree slopes to ridge line on left

What a great hike up Lady Peak! Several plus points: You can drive to the alpine (albeit a 4WD is needed). Short approach. Exciting scrambling on the ridge. Excellent views over the Chilliwack Valley peaks, Mt Baker and down to Jones Lake. Everybody else hikes Mt. Cheam. Quite the crowd – the trailhead parking lot was full and vehicles were parking on the logging road.


Excellent ridge scramble on Lady Peak


Fraser Valley and Harrison Lake below


Mt Cheam