Area B worked

[Mark G. Forbes]

It was too light for me in the afternoon, but Steve Myers was able to soar with his lightweight gear and body. Later on around 6:30 it picked up and became soarable even for old heavy guys like me. I soared on and off until it got too light around eight-ish, occasionally whooshing through the dune grass or crashing into sand hummocks.

Currently refueling at the Urban Spoon in Astoria...highly recommended!

ma...@mgforbes.com
541-760-3231 (cell)
MGF iPad

[Bill Briskey]

We were on our way to Area B and stopped in to check conditions at Ecola. Steve F gave myself, Allan, and Peter a site intro and we all launched due to Steve's exuberance. Since the winds were SSW, we didn't have abundant lift, but at first we got to 700+, almost putting us within reach of Cannon Beach on glide. The onshore wind condensed as it was pushed up over the cliffs creating clouds that we had to mind, especially when we were near the trees and each other. Peter followed Steve North toward Tillamook head. The lift backed off a bit and a couple more pilots launched, and Peter disappeared. Steve couldn't find him and Alan and I top landed and headed out to meet Steve and search for Peter. You'll have to wait for the "rest of he story" but we all made it back safe and got plenty of exercise. :)

Bill B

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[peterd]

[peterd]

Good pictures Steve. My flight report of 6/15 at Ecola State Park: Exuberance is a key word here. My, Bill's and Allan's first flight at Ecola State Park, a site I've wanted to fly since I started paragliding four years ago. Still, on launch I was a little disappointed, the site didn't seem as formidable as my childhood memories made it . Delightful soaring as described by Bill, crossing back and forth to the nearest points north and south with clouds forming between 500 and 750 feet the whole time and blowing over the trees. Steve crossed Indian Beach after a time, leaving from perhaps 750'. He made it to the north end of the beach and benched up after losing a couple hundred feet on the crossing. He thereupon got higher and flew further north although I couldn't see how far. I followed doing roughly the same crossing of Indian beach and successfully worked up from 400' to 850'. Soaring the cliffs was wonderful and lift came at expected places, until I was quite far north and over 900'. I could see Steve from time to time but often couldn't see him for extended periods. His radio and mine were difficult to reach for each of us and anyway I infrequently use mine in flight since I changed helmets and have not installed my PTT on my new helmet. Ultimately I pushed all the way to the last point beyond which I presume I could have seen Seaside had I looked around it. I became alarmed at my sink rate however as I turned south, realizing that there was no west component, it was only south. On speed bar to cross the bay to the next point to the south where I knew I could work back up, it became apparent I was not going to make the point and then as I turned towards the rocks began to realize I might not even make shore. I landed in the water about 20' short, my wing overshot me and initially landed mostly on the rocks. The breaking waves posed the great hazard of pulling me down and I struggled mightily to get my wing up on the rocks. With my dunking my radio and phone were of no use. I set about spreading stuff out to dry, knowing I had a tough climb out ahead. I heard and saw Steve after some minutes which gave great comfort knowing he would realize I was safe and mark my location. Steve later asked why I didn't rosette to indicate I was ok. Initially I couldn't move the wing because of the water and then I thought he could see me move around. I gave myself an hour to dry my wing and wring stuff out somewhat and set off to climb out. This was difficult, especially with soaked clothes, shoes and gear. Additionally the steepness and horrible rock made for a at times desperate scramble.  Shortly before 6pm, 3 hours after my landing, two hours after I started scrambling I heard Bill, Allan and Steve yelling for me and 15 minutes later I met up with them and we hiked out. Thank you to each of them for mobilizing to come find me, ending their own flights. I admit I let Bill carry my wing when we met up.

My primary error was lack of caution in not stitching my way out a little at a time to be sure I could return to lift safely. Youthful exuberance let us say. Fixing my PTT might have allowed me to warn the others I was landing and relieved them of perhaps 15 minutes of uncertainty as to my whereabouts.

peter dinsdale

[Steve Forslund]

Peter thanks for the report. I think the smooth air at the beach often lulls pilots to sleep and we stop mapping out what is happening.  Some beach flying and transitions can be very technical and you need to have contingencies in place if things don't occur as you expect them to or conditions change. Peter was fortunate to land on(near) the only beach over there that you can climb up from ( well he can) and the surf was very low. The forming clouds and lack or clouds gave many clues to what was happening around tops of terrain and slopes. That was a fairly low crossing for me but I have flown over there a bunch.

Indian beach was weird on the north end as it has been in the past, warm sand and the the point splitting the wind and a bit of calm air from the cliff and bowl contribute to this. Pete R had some tough air there before. Just be aware and don't set up too far north.

Thanks for mentioning Rosetting up I hope all pilots are aware that when having a tough landing or incident leading to a landing or landing in a rough spot leaving a wing spread out is considered a call for help. Rosetting a wing can assure concerned pilots you are ok. That said don't let adrenaline lead you to jump up and Rosette if you are injured.

Steve Forslund

[Steve Forslund]