Neck Deep in Hang Gliding

I've had a good week being surrounding with good people and immersing myself in hang gliding. Dustin, jeff, and I have been cranking away building as many harnesses as we can. It has been fun working with friends and producing a product that people all around the world are excited about. Of course some days we bail out early when the cu's start popping. If we're building the product, we gotta use the product.

We found ourselves back at the training hill helping Jeff teach Justin and Sara. They both did great and are fast on their way to flying. It brought back fond memories watching them train and get excited about the sport. Even Jeff and Dustin snuck in a flight when the wind came around.

The other night a few of use headed up the hill for an evening flight. Dustin had been working all day while I was having a tattoo worked on, so we were looking forward to the evening soar. Nicky had high hopes of getting a tandem flight with Jeff that night as well. Conditions on top were light and looked like a sled ride. Didn't matter though, it was still flying and my first flight in a new harness. Jeff let us know he was heading back up, so we set up the gliders and started punching off the hill one at a time. They were all short flights, but still very satisfying. I think Nicky was the most satisfied with the flight. There is nothing like seeing someone who has just landed, buzzing from their first flight.

Dustin slaving away

Jeff working an inner shell

Jeff, Sara, and Justin

Sara working on launching skills

Justin's first flight

Myself on launch (courtesy of Tamar Kasberg)

Dustin just off launch (courtesy Tamar Kasberg)

Jeff and Nicky (courtesy Tamar Kasberg)

Remembering a Friend

Today I woke to heavy thoughts of life and death. It has been exactly one year since my friend Chris Spurgeon died skiing Lolo Peak. I've thought of this day for along time. What should I do in memory of Chris? I always thought I should head back to the peak and ski the line he died on, but now that this day has come, it just doesn't feel right for me to return. Friends are on their way up there now, but I feel it would be better for me to loose myself in my memories of Chris while I'm alone. Regardless of what I do today, I'm going to bliss out on life, which is exactly how Spurgeon liked to live.

Yesterday Dustin, Jeff, and I cranked away building harnesses while it rained outside. Eventually we reached our breaking point and went for and evening walk around blue mountain. The skies opened up allowing for a spectacular sunset and we all relaxed soaking in the beauty of our surroundings.

Lolo Peak

Climbing and Surfing in SoCal

I just got back from another trip to Santa Barbara and as usual, I had a fantastic time. However, our original plans were shut down by weather. With a forecast of thunderstorms in Yosemite, we turned our attention to climbing at Tahquitz and surfing. We got a little climbing in and a lot of surfing. That was fine by me since I can climb all the time. Its not every day that I get to go surfing. And damn its fun!

Doing what we do best, enjoying good wine.

Brad racking up for Tahquitz

Brad playing with is new travel Martin guitar.....so nice.

Sunset view from Tahquitz

The summit of Tahquitz

Yesterday back in Missoula, the weather cooperated and a bunch of us got a great flight in. Conditions didn't look to promising with a slight overcast, but there was still plenty of lift in the air. We raced around the hill for an hour or so and all landed safely. I thought to myself how great life can be when two days ago I was surfing with dolphins 30 feet away and then come home and get to surf the sky with bald eagles!

Evening Surprise

The Cu's were popping early Tuesday so with hopes of flying, a few of us made plans to meet around 4:30. Surprisingly the day had not over developed so we headed up the hill. Everything was going normal until we came across the first of two down trees. The previous weekend's wind storm had left two trees over the road. If we couldn't move them, we would be done.

The first one was easy. It was rotten and broke easily. The second was another story. It was solid and not going to budge. With only a hatchet I happened to have, we took turn for an hour chopping at the tree. When it was finally cut, we had to resort to leverage moves like egyptian slaves moving monstrous stones. Eventually the tree gave way and the road was clear.

We were now an hour late and assumed the prime window for flying had passed us by. Still flying down always beats driving down. We quickly set up and formed a launch line. Watching everyone start to fly didn't look promising, but when I launched and looked behind me, I could see everyone soaring. The day hadn't shut down yet! It actually turned out to be quite good. The four of us spent an hour or so soaring around the mountains surrounding Missoula for a wonderful evening.

Finally Back on Rock

Last weekend the weather finally worked with me long enough to have a nice day climbing. Travis, Tom, and I headed to Blodgett Canyon to climb the Prow. The climbing was great, but a cold wind started to break us down. After getting some very satisfying climbing in, we decided to escape the cold and rap down. We all had a great time out there.

On another note, I got the great news that an image of mine made the cover shot for Cross Country magazine. It is my understanding that it is just about the largest flying mag in the world so I was thrilled that one of my pics would get that kind of exposure.

Travis leading pitch 2

Tom starting pitch 4

Travis finishing pitch 4

Cross Country cover

Hard at Work

The weather has been difficult in Missoula recently. We are still getting the occasional snow storm in the valley and the mountains are getting pounded with snow. It seems as if Winter doesn't want to quit. Due to the poor weather, I've been spending most of my time working, either at the hospital or at Shapiro's producing harnesses. Here are some pics from a recent one we finished.

Attempted Ski Traverse

Last weekend Patrick and I headed into Glacier with hopes of ski traversing from West to East. Weather was looking great despite an iffy forecast. It took us about 4 hours to get to Sperry chalet where we set up camp on the second story deck. Weather appeared to be moving in so we crawled in the tent for the night. Temps were moderate and the camping was chill.

In the morning we woke to low overcast skies. With poor visibility, we packed up and left for Lincoln Pass. It was a short distance away, but by the time we got there we were in white-out conditions. Conditions for snow travel were great, but we had no view of the incredible scenery we were surrounded by. Motivation plummeted and we decided to leave this trip for another time when the weather was better.

The ski out was uneventful and we were back at the car in a short while. Another trip cursed by bad weather. Oh well, just have to keep trying. Soon the skies will open up.

Camp on the second story deck

Home sweet home

Lincoln Pass