Bonus photos of a side PPG trip to Dog Canyon & Laborcita (La Luz) Canyon

by Robin Hastings, President RGSA
photos & captions by Had Robinson
Glenn Tupper has posted some awesome video and photos of our event here.

Dry Canyon launch areas late in the day with the moon rising in the east.  With about 3,000' over the LZ, flights are guaranteed!

Gliders at launch waiting for the stronger conditions required for HG.  Note the White Sands in the background.  Whether we fly or not, you cannot beat the views from our launch site!

Andy Miller was the first PG pilot to launch at the fly-in.  His good kiting skills made launching from the HG launch an easy task.  Andy also set the XC PG record from Dry Canyon -- 23 miles.  He almost reached Orogrande.  A difficult but not impossible task would be to start at Agave Hill in the Franklins and then take Hwy 54 all the way to the LZ for Dry.  That would be a trip!

Report by Robin Hastings, President Rio Grande Soaring Association

I'd have to call our latest Columbus Day Fly-In a qualified success. In this 2011 version we had 14 pilots come to enjoy the good autumn air. Not that many this year, but those who did were rewarded with airtime - except for Terry Cowing from Tucson, who hurt his leg a bit on Sunday when getting set to launch his PG (just limping - no notable injuries all weekend).

Robin launching with (L-R) Bill Cummings, Andy Miller, and Lee Boone assisting

There was powered PG flight, foot launched PG and hang gliding launches, Spot Landing and Open XC trophies distributed, and a lot of good flying in general. No aluminum was destroyed in the making of this picture... We started with a windy day on Friday.

Lee Boone takes to the air

PG pilots setting up at the HG launch.  Andy Miller is setting up with Terry Cowing  This launch area was made much more hospitable to gliders by virtue of a donation of used carpet by Lee Boone.  Thank you, Lee!

Terry Kowing building a wall with his glider at the lower (and safer) PG launch.

When I arrived at the Cox Field LZ about 1:30 I found our old friend Jason Otto from Tucson there. We saw Mike Ellsworth's truck, and that was it no sign of the pilot himself. We soon found out that he was at Dry Canyon launch with Bill Cummings and Dave Church. Eventually, when the winds relented a bit, DC took off and had a very nice flight. He was surprised to find only light winds when he finally reached the field, and rolled it in after completely crossing from east to west. We had dinner at a nearby cafe afterwards - DC, me, Bill, Mike, Jason, Had Robinson, and Joe Schad and Zelda Zadnik from Virginia.

Bill Cummings waits for the right moment

Joe Schad preparing.  Bill Cummings holds the left tip and Andy Miller is on the nose wires.

Glenn Tupper gets ready at the PG launch.  This was his first time to try soaring a ridge and thermalling.  He did well.  In the second photo he heads for the house thermal.

Next morning it was blowing cold and north, but just as forecasts predicted, it eventually got lighter, and westerly. Powered PG's went up in the morning (the City of Alamogordo is now allowing them, it seems) and then the rest of us drove to launches. Dry Canyon looked OK - but the gate up to the La Luz launch was locked. Andy Miller and Terry from Tucson came up to launch, but it was pretty strong, and only Andy made it off. Everyone with a hang glider launched - me, Joe Schad, Lee Boone and Doctor Bob Brockmann, down from Denver. I was Wind Dummy, with Bill on my nose wires, soon followed by Bob and Joe, and finally Lee. There was some big sink between the West Ridge and Cox Field, and both Lee and I landed short. (And that after reaching 2500 feet over launch – the injustice of it all!)

Bob Brockman getting off safely

There was a nice barbecue that evening with bratwurst and pork steaks, then good visiting around the portable fireplace that George and Velma Woodcock brought over. Next morning looked much better for Dry Canyon, with skies clear and winds light and variable. I did some driving this time, and watched as Glen Tupper from El Paso landed his powered PG at Dry Canyon launch, in 10-15 mph south/southwest winds. He packed the engine in my truck, then foot launched his wing and soared back down to Alamogordo. Others did it more conventionally, and it turned out to be a great day of flying.

Dave Church making the run off launch at Dry Canyon

Low saves were made and cross country miles were flown, with Dave Church reaching the gravel pit north of La Luz and Andy making it 23 miles south in his PG. More barbecue, more visiting, more campfire and beautiful autumn stars – how can you beat it? On Monday morning we said farewell to Jason and his dog Kimba, the Tennis Ball Fanatic. My friend Jesse Cone drove for Dave Coleman, me, Bob and Joe, while Had did the same for the PG pilots, including John Davis from New York.

Everyone launched and had a fine time, with Dave reaching 10,500 ft MSL (3500 over launch) in his Sport 2, and getting almost two hours airtime. John immensely enjoyed his first experience in a PG at Dry. This time, everyone made the field! As the afternoon wore down we packed up gliders and said goodbyes. Andy took the PG Open XC trophy back to Tucson, while Bill promised to deliver the hang gliding version to Dave Church. John Davis had the Spot Landing trophy for PG's, while Bob Brockmann had the same for hang gliders – adding to the vast collection of fly-in trophies he has accumulated from us over the years. Has the man no sense of fair play and decorum? We said goodbye to Joe and Zelda, Champion Driver, who hope to attend a 4th time next year, despite the long miles from Virginia. At the end Bill, Dave Coleman and I shook hands and vowed to return. Fly safe, drive safe, and have a lot of fun, everyone! --  Robin

Jason flying over launch

Below is a sequence of Glenn Tupper doing the first PPG top landing at the Dry Canyon launch.  With the help of launch director, Had Robinson, he approaches the top from the downwind side of the launch.  When winds are safe for PG, pilots need not worry about rotor as it is only 3' - 8' thick.  PG gliders are 20'+ above the surface so they are well into the undisturbed air and can land safely.   Congrats Glenn!

Below is a nice sequence of John Davis launching from Dry Canyon is his Ozone Mojo.  Note that he keeps the glider under control at all times and does not turn to go until all is well.  Nice flying!

PPG (powered paragliding) adventure to Dog Canyon

by Had Robinson

When the winds were too light for hang gliding or paragliding, pilots Lee Boone, Glenn Tupper, and Had Robinson went on a trip to Dog Canyon in their powered paragliders.  The canyon is located about 10 miles south of Alamogordo.  Precise sightseeing is not possible except with powered gliders.  The bonus is: We can always turn them off and soar but not quite as well as free fliers because of the added weight.

Lee cruising along in front of the Sacramento Mountains.  View is west.  In the background the White Sands and the San Andres Mountains are visible.

Looking south along the ridge with the Tularosa Basin on the right.

Dog Canyon was one of the few ways early Americans could get past the steep face of the Sacramento Mountains and into the high country behind.

Below is the entrance to the canyon.  The entrance is located in Oliver Lee State Park.  Lee Boone can just be seen in his paraglider towards the middle right.  He is not in the canyon but near the south of the notch in the ridge.

Below is Oliver Lee State Park at the front of the canyon entrance.  There are sites for RV's, campers, and tents.

Another view looking east up the canyon.  The rise from base to top is over (1) vertical mile.

Alamo Canyon (two canyons north of Dog) - It is a box canyon which is why it was not used to access the high country.

PPG Trip to Laborcita Canyon

by Had Robinson

On another day early in the morning when the winds aloft were too light to fly, Glenn Tupper and Had Robinson made a visit to the enchanting and quiet canyons of La Luz and Laborcita.  These two canyons are nestled up in the foothills of the Sacramento Mountains a few miles northeast of Alamogordo.  They each have plenty of springs (water) and can grow an amazing amount of fruits and vegetables, including cherries.  As the canyons face southwest and are protected by high mountains to the north, they have a warmer climate (more sun) and a better growing season than the basin below.  Cold north winds tend to go around the mountains in the rear rather than over into the canyons.

Below is the view entering the canyons.  La Luz is to the right and Laborcita (the smaller canyon) goes gently up to the middle of the photo here.  View is northeast.

Laborcita (the prettier of the two, as well) meanders up into the mountains.  View here is northeast.

This is 180 degrees from the photo above, looking southwest to the lower and drier part of the canyon.

Nearing the top of Laborcita Canyon.  Near the end, a switchback can be seen going up the hill that leads to a beautiful estate perched over the canyon.

Glenn's glider is just visible in the photo here of the end of Laborcita Canyon.  To the lower right is the estate.  Behind is National Forest and then the lands of the Mescalero Apache.

Hope you enjoyed the show! - Had