Acrophobia Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association Kootenays BC

Acrophobia Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club
The Kootenay Regional Association
of the BCHPA and HPAC

Revised Jan 7th 2012


Pilot Contacts Minutes Site Guide Photos Virtual Tours Links Weather	Acrophobia Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club* is a registered charitable organization that functions as the parent association for the local Hang Gliding and Paragliding Clubs in the South Kootenays of Beautiful British Columbia Canada. Find us on a map: here. Our BCHPA Regional Director for the and South East and Northern BC is Brett Yeates Brett_Yeates@REMOVE_THISmail2Canada.com 250-421-0670 Acrophobia means "fear of heights" and what an appropriate name! With altitude records of 15,700' ASL and single thermal climb out records of 9,000' feet, this is a dynamic flying area with some of the most spectacular mountains, valleys, lakes, parks and hotsprings on this lovely earth we call home. Come visit us soon. We promise you one of the best family orientated holidays of your life. Dale Arsenault and Dale Morris have begun discussions to prepare a 30th annual Kalso Fly-In Sept Long Weekend 2007.
Local.Clubs Kaslo; Nelson; Ymir; Fruitvale; Rossland; Creston; Slocan.Valley including New Denver	WEATHER FIC 1-866-WX-BRIEF French: 1-866-GO-METEO (Advanced Pilot Weather Briefings and HAGAR Notificication: Free call.) Environment Canada Nakusp Weather Nelson Weather Creston Weather NAV Canada Forecasts and Observations / Upper Wind Text (FDs) Atmospheric Soundings (Winds Aloft) Surface Obervations
	The West Kootenays is an area of mountain ranges and lakes (Arrow, Kootenay and Slocan being the largest) that offers many and varied flying sites. 90% of the flying is thermal with cloudbase usually in the 10 - 12,000' range. A high percentage of soarable days, good altitude gains and scenery combine to make for some nice flying in this area. Camping, hiking, fishing and canoeing et ceterea are world class for those days when you want to give your wing a rest (if there are such days.) With the exception of Kootenay Lake and Creston Valley, the area does not have a long straight valley as does the East Kootenay's with the Rocky Mountain Trench. The valleys tend to be cross-hatched, as is evident from the Road Map . The poplulation is sparse in most areas, with little cleared land. Therefore, although the XC potential is good, the total distance on the great circle is not usually great. Valleys come to an end and 90 degree changes in heading are required to keep landing zones and access roads for pickup within reasonable distance. Out and returns or triangular flights are more common. The many different sites and spectacular scenery do make for the most pleasant flying imaginable.