SIV Clinic – October 19

Harrison Lake

SIV is the abbreviation of “Simulation d’Incident en Vol” – French for “Simulation of Incidence in Flight” (an indication that much of paragliding was developed in France). A SIV course is about learning how to deal with problematic situations and is conducted over water (much safer than over ground) and under the supervision of an instructor.


Random Flying Picture

Our course with Tom took place at Harrison Lake, using a boat tow to get up to altitude. I found the towing experience quite exciting. One minute you stand on the beach of a beautiful lake surrounded by high wooded mountain ridges. Less than 10 minutes later you are 1000 meters up in the air; see the snow-covered peaks all around and the tow boat and landing beach are very tiny far below.

I was almost sorry that I couldn’t take in the stunning scenery any longer, but this was the point when the real adventure started! Tom came in over the radio and gave commands for the maneuvers. Starting of with a few wing-overs, then a nice spiral and on the second flight search for stall and spin, another baby spiral and a few other tricks. Even with one less flight than originally planned and a tow in the dark back to Harrison Hotsprings (we ran out of gas in the middle of the lake) - this was an excellent day!


Alex executing a Full Stall

Paragliding (waiting?) Thanksgiving in Oregon - October 10-13, 2008

Oregon road trip over Thanksgiving weekend. We checked out the central Washington paragliding sites Saddle Mountain and the Silos on Friday, but the only wing in the air was Ryan’s kite (until after some spectacular acro one of the steering lines broke). Very strong N gusting to 45 km/h.

Still blown out at Skull Hollow (good camping near Smith Rocks) on Saturday, so we did some shopping in Bend and climbing at Smith – Andrew and Pete easily remembering how to lead on the big bucket holds on Zebra Wall and the climbing didn’t even bother my shoulder.

Sunday was the day to fly! Wade showed us first the way up to Juniper Ridge’s south-facing launch, but it was still too windy from the N. On we went to Pine Ridge and were rewarded with spectacular ridge soaring. This site is north facing, just north of the Skull Hollow camp site and a 300 ft hike-up. After all the hiking everybody was ready for the excellent turkey dinner, prepared by Gab, Brian, Ryan, their significant others and the Metolius crew.

Monday it finally warmed up and the winds had died. Back to Juniper Ridge with Tim who showed us how the Oregonians ridge soar at Pine yesterday. Pete found good lift, tricking him and Andrew into looking for more – after lots of scratching (Andrew set a new record) they got to practice their side hill landing. The rest of the crew was satisfied with extended sledders and avoided the side hill. Andrei got one more flight than everybody else (to retrieve his GPS from launch). After a few hikes up we went back to Pine Ridge, but at 4 PM even the locals gave up hope and left.

Great weekend in the sun, excellent party and a taste of Central Oregon air that makes us want to come back for more!



Parawaiting at the Silos


Wind 45 km/h. Pete’s hair makes a good windmeter too!


Para-photoshopping. Click for full image.


Andrew landing, the Sisters in the background


Pilot and Smith Rocks


Bucket holds on Zebra Wall