Hello, pilots!The Rio Grande Soaring Association will host its annual Memorial Day Gathering in Alamogordo, New Mexico on Saturday, May 23rd through Monday, May 25th, 2025.
The long-range forecast looks good. Should be pleasant temperatures, clear skies, winds light to moderate and mostly west and southwest. Very nice for Dry Canyon!
Camping is permitted at the freshly re-seeded, wonderfully green and smooth Hang Glider Park LZ and within 100 feet of roads in the Lincoln National Forest. The mountain town of Cloudcroft is just 20 minutes' drive away, where tall pines and golden aspens may please your family while you're soaring high.
The road is in rough shape, but if you have a sturdy 4x4 you will make it. The RGSA has no organized 4x4s, so we are counting on pilots to help get each other to launch.
A porta-potty will be delivered to the LZ on Friday. Anyone who shows up early, please take possession of the Shade Structure; use of it is 1st come 1st served basis, so we need to occupy it. We are trying to provide some beer and food and a BBQ grill, but we are not certain when we can get them there. So, come prepared!
Dry always amazes - it can be blown out for a 100-mile radius and Dry will still work. The spring winds are fading and the legendary XC possibilities for Memorial Day weekend look promising. Flights as far north as Vaughn, New Mexico have been done. Come and fly with us at Dry Canyon, where you can find big desert thermals, 100+ mile XC flights and evening glassoffs, right above a town full of friendly people, good hotels and plenty of eateries. No fees, although we greatly appreciate donations and pilots becoming members of the RGSA. Just come out and enjoy some of the best hang gliding and paragliding that this nation has to offer. Contact us for directions and conditions and any kind of assistance. We'll hope to be soaring with you soon!
The above sat image is dated – the LZ is now amazingly green thanks to the Free Flight Foundation/RGSA grant!
Turnoff to Main LZ, off of Fairgrounds Road https://goo.gl/maps/b4qgBUWTwuiWtWfq9
32°55'38.4"N 105°56'48.1"W 32.927336, -105.946698RGSA is encouraging pilots to use 151.505, DCS 025. This is the same configuration used by the Arizona clubs. We can help configure your radio for DCS if needed.
Details on flying Dry Canyon here:Dry Canyon Site Info rgsa.info , sites.
Steve Crye (RGSA President)
(915) 549-1631
Norm Bloom (RGSA Vice President)
(575) 491-0456
rgsa.inforgsatreasurer@gmail.com
