Gliding the Logan, Utah ridge

On May 8, seven glider pilots got together to soar around northern Utah and southern Idaho. I made this video in my ASW20B sailplane starting 23 miles north of Logan and flying southbound on the ridge. It gives a good view of what flying the Logan ridge is all about. Fantastic location to soar! In August 2009 we are excited to have the first Region 9 sailplane race up here in Logan flying these spectacular mountains. More info visit http://phoebus.vassel.com

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• glider
• gliding
• soaring
• ridge
• flying
• sailplane
• Bruno
• Vassel
• Logan
• Utah
• mountain

[WConn100]

Glad to hear you have a survival kit in the glider, but how about ON you if you bail out? As a graduate of all the USAF survival schools we were always told the survival kit needed to be ON you, not in the plane. We wore rather elaborate survival vests but it would be a good idea to have a space blanket, fire starter, knife and a few other things if you have to depart the plane. Love your videos.

[bviv]

@WConn100 Thanks for the kind words. OK, You make a lot of sense. I am open to hear how to attach a survival kit to a parachute. How do make it not get in the way and where do you attach it? One of the parachute leg straps?

[WConn100]

Do you ever carry a survival kit of any sort on these flights? Some rather inhospitable terrain it seems.

[bviv]

@WConn100 Yes, I have a basic kit (survival blanket, lighter, mirror, etc.) kept in the glider. The good news is that we can glide away from the mountains if the lift dies out and land in the valleys where there are farmers' fields. Civilization is always within 20 miles in one direction or another.

[tomasgeryk]

Hi, very nice! May be a dumb question since I'm not a pilot myself but what would you do if the wind stopped blowing and you were in the middle of the track? Must be tough to find a spot for emergency landing in the mountains...

[bviv]

@tomasgeryk Not a dumb question at all. We always keep at least a farmer's field within gliding distance even up in the mountains.

[Shukie6174]

It must be the most wonderful feeling to soar through the skies on nothing but wings.

[Coltsfanatic88]

Is there an engine on this glider?

[KjWa13]

woah this video was taken on my birthday and i live in logan! :)

[stimpymedic]

I always carry a cell phone and a book of matches in my pockets when flying over the mountains. Figure its all i got if i crash is whats on my person. Matches can keep you from freezing, cell phone good for locating even if signal is poor.

[syrstad]

Awesome!! This looks like an insanely fun time, thanks for sharing this footage.

The feature you label 'China Wall' at 8:55 is unofficially known as 'Fudd Peak' to local skiers - due to it's proximity to Mt. Elmer (8:25). China Wall is a few miles south in Logan Canyon.

[bearlakefuntime]

Great video!!!! Loved seeing those places from above. Cache Vally is a beautiful place!

[WConn100]

Strong Parachute makes a pouch for such purposes, just make sure that yours is designed specifically not to get in the way of canopy deployment. I have pants pockets that velcro closed in which one could easily carry a space blanket, fire starter, signal mirror and so on without losing them on a bail out. Successful survival combines knowledge, training and basic tools to come out alive. Keep flying.