Pilots Robin Hastings, Mike Ellsworth, and Had Robinson took off for launch around 2 PM in the afternoon.  Our driver (and photographer) was David Sanderson of El Paso.  Arriving at the top, we noticed overdevelopment in the east which sourced gusty outflows at launch so everyone took a few hours off, relaxed, and watched the storms go after it in the east.  Hang glider pilots Mike and Robin launched around 6:30PM.  Paraglider pilot Had Robinson launched about 20 minutes later.

Thermals were calming down so all was left was ridge lift caused by a strong south wind - more than adequate for PG'ers to get 1,000' over launch but not strong enough to keep HG'ers up.  Mike and Robin found some air in front of the west end of the ridge and then headed for the LZ.  Had stayed up until dark.  The air going over the ridge was doing close to 20 mph so PG'ers had to be careful with drifting into stronger air up and behind the ridge.

David took the stunning photos below.  We also are very thankful he could drive us to the Dry Canyon launch.

Mike Ellsworth preparing his glider.  Notice the thunderstorm to the right - we had to wait out this stuff....

Mike about to launch.  Robin has already launched.  Had is acting as wire crew.  It is never good to fly alone.

The moment of launch - a single misjudgment or misstep here can mean a crash into the cliff.  Mike is a very experienced hang glider pilot.

Flying away from launch.  The pilot is now busy with getting inside his "pod".

David took this as Mike cruised back across ridge after a successful launch.  Mike is ready to go anywhere...

...and off he goes -- up and...

...away.

Had setting out his glider at launch.  For a PG pilot this is a critical time to examine the lines for knots and tangles.  Failure to notice such things can cause the glider to spin into the cliff after launch or stall -- all bad.

The only smooth air at the Dry Canyon launch is right at the edge of the launch ramp.  The area behind is turbulent from rotor caused by the cliff and vegetation at the edge.  The pilot has to get the glider 15' feet or more into the smoother air above before he can assess that it is safe to launch.

A few seconds later Had shoots up over launch.

Had is well on his way to 1,000' over launch -- plenty high.  The winds increase as you go up into the atmosphere so PG pilots have to be careful not to fly too high in strong conditions.  Today's were borderline.  Also, as the winds hit the Dry Canyon Ridge they are compressed and speed up as they go over the top.  The air right over the Ridge can, therefore, be a trap so pilots always have to carefully watch their speed over the ground and not venture close to the Ridge in strong conditions lest they get blown over the back of the Ridge and enter turbulent, dangerous air.

Getting the last gasp out of the flying day...we have to land while we can still see.  While not visible in the photo, Had is carrying a strobe light that is visible for miles.

Robin Hastings is preparing for flight.

At the launch ramp, Robin must make the decision as to exactly when he will launch.  The wire crew is needed in case a gust catches the front of the glider.  If there is not someone there to hold the nose down, the glider can flip over backwards or accidently launch - both bad events.

Launch!

Robin does not fly in a pod - he is open to the air.

We hope you enjoyed the show!