Places that I want to soar before I die

http://stevepelton.smugmug.com/2013/...mp/i-Ld7TDvn/A

The Palouse region in Washington State USA

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palouse

Marfa was at the top of my Soaring Bucket List. Although the site of the U.S. and World Championships won by George Moffat is closed, the entrance gate to the old Marfa Army Airfield is still there. The Marfa plains and hills are the same sights seen by the great glider pilots when they flew there. The soaring conditions were just GREAT. Burt Compton provides first rate instruction in virtually brand new equipment at the nearby Marfa Airport. Can't wait to go back.

Next on my list is Bishop, California. The Base of Operations for the Sierra Wave Project. For a great read on this subject get ahold of Bob Whelan's book, Exploring the Monster Mountain Lee Waves: the Aerial Elevator. I've read my copy so many times it is getting worn out.

Third on my list would be Hemet Ryan in California. My Dad took me for a ride in a Blanik L13 there one day when I was home on leave from the Army. We were up for an hour and 45 minutes and the conditions were so good that he had to fight it to get it down. That was such a memorable day it probably planted the seed that eventually made be pursue my Glider Rating.

Finally, Minden, Nevada offers a lot of advantages to rental pilots seeking advanced Soaring Badges and those who desire to try Wave Flights. One of my goals is to become a second generation Lennie Pilot and that makes Minden a must.

Great topic!

Brian Lott

Burketown: The Morning Glory. Several friends have done it, what a treat.
And of course, the Himalayas. Go, Sebastian!
Jim

On Wednesday, October 16, 2013 3:54:40 PM UTC-7, son_of_flubber wrote:
http://stevepelton.smugmug.com/2013/...mp/i-Ld7TDvn/A



The Palouse region in Washington State USA



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palouse

New zealand, Italian Alps, Appalachian ridge soaring, Andes

Wasserkupe

Fun topic.

My ranking of the best soaring spots in the world.....(granted, I haven't flown at most of these these but I'm happy to change my order after direct experience.)


1. Omarama NZ
2. Moriarty, NM (I have flown here)
3. Logan and Cedar Valley, UT area (shout out to Bruno!)
4. Uvalde, Tx (I have flown here)
5. Parawan, UT
6. Minden, NV
7. Salida, CO and Boulder, Co area (I have flown here)
8. Marfa, TX
9. Hobbs, NM (I have flown here)
10. Warner Springs, CA (I have flown here)


I've left out many awesome places of course. Part of my criteria is that I can imagine myself taking a 2 week flying vacation there. There are many awesome sites in europe but I don't know how many flyable days out of 14 I could get. But somewhere like Moriarty (F'in awesome!) I know that out of 14 days in June I'm going to get 2 iffy and 12 flyable days with at least 4 "oh my god, physics has been suspended" days.

Add Ely, Nevada in there. Great little town. Inexpensive
and soaring is awesome. D
At 16:43 17 October 2013, wrote:
Fun topic.

My ranking of the best soaring spots in the world.....
(granted, I haven't
f=
lown at most of these these but I'm happy to change my
order after direct
e=
xperience.)


1. Omarama NZ
2. Moriarty, NM (I have flown here)
3. Logan and Cedar Valley, UT area (shout out to Bruno!)
4. Uvalde, Tx (I have flown here)
5. Parawan, UT
6. Minden, NV
7. Salida, CO and Boulder, Co area (I have flown here)
8. Marfa, TX
9. Hobbs, NM (I have flown here)
10. Warner Springs, CA (I have flown here)


I've left out many awesome places of course. Part of my
criteria is that I
=
can imagine myself taking a 2 week flying vacation there.
There are many
aw=
esome sites in europe but I don't know how many flyable
days out of 14 I
co=
uld get. But somewhere like Moriarty (F'in awesome!) I
know that out of 14
=
days in June I'm going to get 2 iffy and 12 flyable days
with at least 4
"o=
h my god, physics has been suspended" days.

KANSAS

On Wednesday, October 16, 2013 6:54:40 PM UTC-4, son_of_flubber wrote:
http://stevepelton.smugmug.com/2013/...mp/i-Ld7TDvn/A



The Palouse region in Washington State USA


The French Alps. Base yourself at Klaus Ohlmann's Soaring Eagles Academy, receive what is the very best daily briefing, fly along and above spectacular scenery, and finish the day with European cuisine. Cruising the length of the Par Cour de Commbatants and jumping onto the Royal Par Cour of the Ecrins and then double back on the entire length is something you will never ever forget.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palouse

Interesting list, do any of these sites offer the facility to rent single
or two seaters to well qualified visiting pilots. Must says Bruno's videos
of Utah make me want to visit for a couple of weeks

Moriarty, NM
Logan and Cedar Valley, UT area
Uvalde, Tx
Parawan, UT
Minden, NV
Salida, CO and Boulder, Co area
Marfa, TX
Hobbs, NM
Warner Springs, CA

Thanks,

John