Sun Valley - Day 2

Todays weather was a repeat of yesterday: low clouds that sat on launch until after noon, and cold, cold, cold. A task was called, and we all geared up and started launching the wind dummies (essentially test pilots that test the air before the competitors all launch to feed info back to the safety committee). It was clear the conditions were difficult, and the wind started to cross. We changed to another launch facing another direction, but the committe quickly decided that wasn't going to work either, so they canceled the day.

We did get some quality time with the 3-d topo map:

2010 US National Paragliding Championship, Sun Valley

Today was day 1 of the Nationals in Sun Valley. This is my first time here, and I really like the area. From what I've seen in the first day, it's a lot like Park City and the people I've met have been great.

One of the great things about paragliding here is taking the gondola and chair lift up the mountain and launching from the top of the ski area. Everywhere I've ever flown we've jammed as many pilots as humanly possable into a truck for the very uncomfortable drive to launch, and one person has to drive it back down. Not here; the main Landing Zone is right next to the lift so you park, get on the lift, and when you land you are back at your car.

Another great thing about flying here is that there are miles and miles of 10,000 ft mountains in every direction. The flying is going to be fantastic.

Except today. Today the weather over developed, the clouds filled the sky killing the lift, and it snowed. In August! What's up with that?