On 11/7/2015 6:42 AM, son_of_flubber wrote:
Am I an idiot?

Good questions, but riding an aircraft into the trees is not the best
option. In the case under discussion the glider /does/ look relatively
undamaged but there's no telling how much it crumpled up before
springing back. I once attempted to render aid to two pilots in what
appeared to be a relatively undamaged RV-4. The only apparent damage was
broken propeller, landing gear, and canopy but, when the firemen pulled
them out of the wreck, it was apparent that they'd died instantly due to
the forward fuselage folding up, smashing them, and springing back.

My flight training has included such gems as, "put it between two
trees". Really? As you said, the forests in northern New England are
pretty dense. Put it between those two trees, and run headlong into the
next one! Never, never, never stall the aircraft into a crash landing.
If you time it perfectly (figure the odds) it may work out well. More
likely you'll plunge nose first between the trees to the ground and that
won't be pretty.

I like your idea of the spectra rope in the chest pack as a let down
line but be sure it won't interfere with pulling the rip cord during a
bailout. Does the plan include some sort of mountaineering or rock
climbing device so that you can let yourself down safely? I know I
couldn't hold onto a thin, slick line with my bare hands.

--
Dan, 5J