Wallowa Paragliding
Welcome to Wallowa Paragliding! I am creating this blog so that anyone interested in my current Mt. Howard project will be able to get immediate information.
posted by Todd Weigand at 3:05 PM
Saturday, June 17, 2006
About Me
- Name: Todd Weigand
- Location: Madras & Joseph, Oregon, United States
USHPA Paragliding Instructor & Tandem Instructor. Competition, Acro, & XC Pilot. wallowaparagliding@gmail.com
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4 Comments:
I flew with Philip, the local HG pilot, and his friend David on June 21 and 22. Nice conditions on the 21st with cloudbase at around 10,500 to 11,000 asl. Prevailing wind was NW at 8-11 on launch with little drift. Lift was generous until mixed with upper level SW winds at around 10K, then things were a bit bumpy. This was my first flight here so I didn't explore far into the Wilderness area or attempt to get up on Chief Joseph. The 22nd was more of a blue-thermal day with sparce cloud cover and limited climbouts.
Eagle Cap Wilderness area signs state no motorized or mechanized vehicle or hang glider is allowed in the Wilderness area. Not sure how this stands currently, but I imagine this extends to paragliders and that the rule is still in effect. Dashed are my ideas of (legal) vol bivouac on the alpine meadows of Chief Joseph. I recall the topic of wilderness areas has come up with USHGA in the last few months. Perhaps this may change for us.
Lift ticket lady, owner and lifties all had different ideas of how things should work for pilots. Local pilots (2 or 4 depending on who you ask) buy an annual pass for $195. The ticket price is $20 "per day" with a "June special" of $6 for the "second day". The ticket lady said this was for one ride, after searching for the owner for 90 minutes he stated this was for a round trip, or two one way trips used in one day(more useful for pilots only going up in the Gondola), liftie took whatever ticket they were shown. There are no daily passes or multiple day passes as the owner does not want to be bothered with inventing this for his computerized ticketing system. So, $20 for 1st day (2 one way rides), $6 for second, $20 for 3rd day, $6 for 4th day, and so on... Not too logical for those staying for more than a weekend. The June special will end next month so may be $20/ "day" after that. Philip stated the owner states one thing one moment than says something entirely different the next time. So much for expecting consistency with lift management.
I found launch adequate enough to get layed out and even kite a bit before launching. Tandems might prefer a little more running room. Please don't get carried away cutting too many trees for launch as this is a prestine natural area. This is an advanced launching/flying area so bring appropriate flying skills.
Be sure to visit Terminal Gravity Brewery in Enterprise and give your business to the few remaining businesses in Joseph, Enterprise and the surrounding area. Wallowa Valley is remote enough that businesses either survive or die rapidly. Tell shop owners you are a pilot and you come here to fly and spend money at local businesses. That will assure our place in their community.
Jim Wagner
Bellingham, WA
Este lugar se ve realmente hermoso, espero tener mucha mas experiencia y que este listo para cuando yo lo visite sea apto para mi nivel, te deseo mucha suerte con este proyecto y que las personas que estan cerca de esta reserva te apoyen.
Jessica
(Colombia)
That looks like crazy fun! Thanks for posting.
Thanks for the info - what year did you update this? I might be visiting a friend who lives in this area, nice to know I can fly here
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