Big
Bear - updated
June th, 2009 (New Site)
Direction
of Launch: South
Type of Site: Mtn
Elevation: Launch
4500' asl
Elevation: LZ: 2600'
Site Regulation:
Informal
Insurance: HPAC
or USHPA
Location: Just
north of Creston
on the other side of
Goat Mt. in
Arrow Creek |
Site Suitable
for: HG & PG
Type of Flying:
Ridge / Thermal.
GPS Launch: N 49*
10' 03.80",
W 116* 28' 34.74
GPS LZ: N 49*
09' 25.70",
W 116* 29' 16.43"
Insurance: HPAC
or USHPA
XC Potential:
Fair, Good
Do Not Land Here:
GPS
NO |
HPAC skill level
Recommendations:
Mild Conditions:
Nov-Int,
Moderate Conditions: Int, Strong Conditions: Adv.
Flying Season:
Assign value
0, 1, 2, 3 or 4 (highest):
Spring
4
Summer 4 Fall 4 Winter 0
Vehicle Requirements:
Good
road,
launch can be accessed with a 2wd car if care is taken.
Description of Launch:
Launch
faces
south and can be launched in SSW to SE conditions. Arrow creek
valley
may be rotored off Goat Mt. in strong South condition and also may be
subject
to ventury. Good ground handling for launch.
Directions to Launch:
Head out of Creston north on
the
#3 toward Cranbrook. after 4.3 km from the last gas station (Race Trac
Gas) turn left on to Lakeview Arrow Creek Rd. Turn left after 2.4 km
(from
turning off the #3) at the first intersection and left again 3.2 km at
the second. At 7.9 km turn right on to Big Bear Creek forestry service
road. Take a right at any fork in the road you come across. The launch
is 6 km up from the start of the forestry road.
Times to Fly -
good morning
and late afternoon site.
Soaring Information and
Weather
Notes:
Description of LZ:
The choice LZ is a large field
on
the Lakeview Arrow Creek Rd not far to the forestry road up. Watch for
power line along the road. The land owner has requested to be
notified
when one wishes to use it (as there may be a crop), he has also gave
permission
to land on his yard if one must (owner lives on the right 0.5km before
you get to the LZ, look for a lot of cars and equipment behind his
house
whcich can be seen as you drive by). There is also a gravel pit on
Wenger
Rd. There may be other fields available as permission
are gained. All other
fields in Arrow creek at the moment should not be considered unless it
is an emergency. To get to the Gravel pit go staight though at the
first
intesection on Wenger Rd, it is on the left about 1km.
Directions to LZ:
Follow the same directions as
to
launch. At 6.1 km it is on the right, just look for the old red trackor
in the field.
Site Records:
Altitude
Gain:
Duration: Open Distance: Dog
Leg:
Out & Return: Triangle: Race to
Goal:
Other Information:
Radio Frequency: 123.4
Mhz
(Aircraft) & 173.640 Mhz, Local Club Frequency:
FIC Advanced Weather Briefing
and
HAGAR Notification:
1-866-WXBRIEF
(1-866-992-7433)
French service: 1-866-GOMETEO (1-866-466-3836)
Regulating Body:
Acrophobia
Primary Local Contacts:
Vincent
Wolf 250-428-5500 Creston
Blizzard
NOTE:
ACCESS RESTRICTIONS
Direction
of Launch: SW
Site Suitable for:
HG,
PG
walk in lower launch. (Launch development needed & different road
up.)
Elevation Launch:
4600' asl
Elevation LZ
1700' asl
Site Regulation:
Formal -
contact Roy Plumber. HAGAR Required.
Location: Trail BC
Do Not Land Here:
|
Type of
Site: Mtn
Type of Flying:
Ridge/Thermal
GPS Launch:
N W
GPS LZ: N
W
Insurance: HPAC
or USHPA
XC Potential:
Excellent 40 Km +
Do Not Land Here:
GPS
NO |
Flying Season:
Assign value
0, 1, 2, 3 or 4 (highest):
Spring
3
Summer 2 Fall
3
Winter 0
HPAC Skill Level
Recommendations:
Mild Conditions:
Int. Moderate Conditions:
Adv. Strong
Conditions:
Not flown because of extreme turbulence.
Vehicle / Transportation
Requirements:
?
Description of
Launch:
The HG site is only launchable
in
west to slightly SW wind conditions. .
The road to launch access is
via
private property. Check with Roy Plumber, who deals with the landowner
and access issues and follow the site procedures.
Table top ramp on the side of
the
road into a draw (below top of mountain.) Definitely a scary launch.
Winds
tend to blow across.
There is a dangerously shallow
Upper
Launch facing south, south of the microwave at the top of
mountain.
There is Hike-up Launch at
1800'
AGL for PG's facing west. Nice grassy knob overlooking the valley below
the top of Blizzard Mt., half way up an entirely different road.
Contact
Don Dejong for info.
Launch Directions:
South of Fruitvale and East of
Montrose.
Incredibly hard to find.
Contact
Roy Plumber, who deals with the landowner and access issues
Times to Fly - all
day, given
limited useable wind directions.
Soaring Information and
Weather
Notes: Winds tend to blow across launch
Site Record(s):
Altitude Gain: Duration:
Open
Distance: Dog Leg: Out &
Return: Triangle: Race to Goal:
Description of LZ:
Trail Airport - Land on the
north
side of the runway. Gorgeous view over the Columbia River.
Other Information:
Class "E"
Airspace above 700' AGL following land contour.
Re-set your altimeter to the
accurate
launch altitude before flying.
Class E Contol Zone to 4400'
ASL
5 mile radius of airport. Airport AirBand Mandatory Frequency is
123.20
For Altimeter Settings phone: 250-368-9148
Radio Frequency: 123.4
Mhz
(Aircraft)
& 173.640 Mhz, Local Club: to be determined
FIC Advanced Weather
Briefing
and HAGAR Notification:
1-866-WXBRIEF
(1-866-992-7433)
French service: 1-866-GOMETEO (1-866-466-3836)
Regulation Body:
Acrophobia
Primary
Local Contacts:
|
Buchanon
Mountain / Milford Peak - updated
April 8th, 2009
Direction
of Launch: East
Site Suitable for:
HG/PG
Elevation Launch:
6200' asl
Elevation LZ
1700' asl
Site Regulation:
Informal
Location:
Northwest of town
overlooking Kaslo.
Do Not Land Here:
|
Type of
Site: Mtn
Type of Flying:
Ridge/Thermal
GPS: N 49
36 16.0
W 116 56 48.6 (Buchanon)
GPS LZ:
N
W
Insurance: HPAC
or USHPA
XC Potential:
Good 24 Km
Do Not Land Here:
GPS
NO |
Flying Season:
Assign value
0, 1, 2, 3 or 4 (highest):
Spring
3
Summer 3 Fall 3
Winter
0
HPAC Skill Level
Recommendations:
Mild Conditions:
Int. Moderate Conditions:
Int. Strong
Conditions:
Int. - Adv
Description of Launch:
Open
from
May to November.
Buchanon:
Good
South facing launch for HGers. Paraglider = (advanced) launch beside
the
outhouse. HG east ramp was removed.
Mt Milford: Much better
launch for
PGers at Mt Milford further up the ridge from Buchanan. Road ends at
top
of mountain and you launch from the obvious alpine meadow below.
Launch - morning = great - afternoon: watch for thermals coming up from
west side as it's an east/west ridge.
Vehicle / Transportation
Requirements: Buchanon: 2WD
/ 4WD in spring.
Road into Mt Milford is very
rough
- high clearance 4wd for 1-2 km and then reasonable for about 4 km.
Launch Directions:
Turn north
off the Kaslo - New Denver highway 8 km west of Kaslo. Watch for the
Lookout
Sign.
At 1.1 Km take the middle fork
and
at 7.8 Km turn right to the Buchanon Mt summit.
Mt Milford access: follow
description
for Buchanan but take left fork on Buchanan road when the Buchanan road
approaches ridge and lookout tower is visible. Again, Road is very
rough
- high clearance 4wd for 1-2 km and then reasonable for about 4 km.
Road
ends at top of mountain and launch from obvious alpine meadow below.
Times to Fly -
all day.
Soaring Information and
Weather
Notes:
Altitude gains with ceilings
of
10,000 - 12,0000' on occasion. Wind lines on the lake are often the
only
wind indicator you will need.
"Adventurous" Cross country
possible
to Meadow creek? New Denver?
Description of Kaslo LZ's:
Small section of sandy beach
long
the beach just south east of town. Lose height over the lake and don't
be too high on approach.
Beware of rotor from the tree
line
in W winds. The Nth 1/4 of the beach is best, the south 1/4 is landable
but rocky.
The middle half is not
landable
due to large rocky areas. PGers will not be able to reach the beach LZ
in any appreciable S wind conditions.
Landing Directions:
1. Kaslo Airport SW of town at
the
base of True Blue Mt.
2. Immediately south-east of
town,
just past the Moyie Paddlewheel, there is a small recreational park.
Check
out the LZ before flying to avoid rocky areas and sprained ankles.
Mt Buchanon is a good morning
site
especially in East winds. Getting to the LZ can be tough in South
conditions.
3. From Mt Milford: Landing in
Kaslo
or more commonly at community north of Shutty Bench - name has escaped
me right now.
Other Information:
Class "G"
Airspace.
Radio Frequency: 123.4
Mhz
(Aircraft) & 173.640 Mhz, Local Club: to be determined
FIC Advanced Weather
Briefing
and HAGAR Notification:
1-866-WXBRIEF
(1-866-992-7433)
French service: 1-866-GOMETEO (1-866-466-3836)
A very scenic place to fly
and holiday.
Ainsworth Hotsprings just
south of
Kaslo on the road to Nelson is a must do in this lifetime.
Two old mine shaft leads back
into
the mountain has Stalagmites and Stalactites well worth seeing.
Site hosts the Kaslo Fly-In
(see
the events page)
Site Record(s):
Altitude Gain: Duration:
Open
Distance: Dog Leg: Out &
Return: Triangle: Race to Goal:
Regulation Body:
Acrophobia
Primary
Local Contacts:
Cooper
Face
Direction
of Launch: E
Type of Site: Mtn
Elevation Launch:
3150' asl
Elevation LZ:
1900' asl
Site Regulation:
Informal
Location: North
end of Kootenay
lake
- south of Meadow Creek
on Hwy 31
north of Kaslo. |
Site Suitable
for: HG & PG
Type of Flying:
Ridge/Thermal.
Good early morning site.
GPS: N 50
10 57.1 W
116 58 27.2
GPS LZ:
N
W
Insurance: HPAC
or USHPA
XC Potential:
Limited |
HPAC Skill Level
Recommendations:
Mild Conditions: Nov -
Int. Moderate
Conditions: Int. Strong Conditions: Int. or Adv
Flying Season:
Assign value
0, 1, 2, 3 or 4 (highest):
Spring
3
Summer 3 Fall
3
Winter 0
Vehicle / Transportation
Requirements:
2WD, any vehicle.
Description of Launch: Good
launch
over a bench.
Launch Directions:
Just north of the Argenta
turnoff,
turn left (west) at the log sort yard. (Wind ribbons in the bombout
LZ.)
At the 5 Km mark, turn left
for
an additional 3 Km. Total 8 Km.
Times to Fly - early
morning,
east winds. Actually good from the crack of dawn on. Camp and fly.
Soaring Information and
Weather
Notes:
Landing Directions: Do
not
land
in the Fallow Dear Farm. (Sign says watch for kids and dogs.)
Primary
LZ's:
a) bomb out LZ at the
trunoff
b) In the field
immediately
west of the Argenta Bridge
c) The large beach just
north
of the Duncan Lake Campground (Low water conditons only.)
d) On the sandy beach at
the
northwest end of Kootenay Lake. (Boat retrieve if you land on the
east side of the (ultimate LZ!) river.)
Other Information:
Class "G"
Airspace.
Radio Frequency: 123.4
Mhz
(Aircraft) & 173.640 Mhz, Local Club: to be determined
FIC Advanced Weather
Briefing
and HAGAR Notification:
1-866-WXBRIEF
(1-866-992-7433)
French service: 1-866-GOMETEO (1-866-466-3836)
Site Record(s):
Altitude Gain: Duration:
Open
Distance: Dog Leg: Out &
Return: Triangle: Race to Goal:
Regulation Body:
Acrophobia
Primary
Local Contacts:
HG: Jim
Smith
Tel. Kaslo
HG: Fred
Wilson Cell: 250-309-6651 (Vernon!) |
PG: Mike Zimmerman
Tel: 250-353-7393 Cell: 352-6321 Kaslo
PG: Jason
Leus Tel:
250-357-2490 |
|
Dundee
Mountain YMIR - Revised
April 9th. 2009
Direction
of Launch: S and NW winds are hard to launch; easiest in W or SW
winds
Site Suitable for:
HG
&
PG
Elevation Launch:
4650' asl
Elevation LZ:
2400' asl
Site Regulation:
Informal
Location: 29 km S
of Nelson
on Hwy 6 at the town of Ymir. |
Type of
Site: Mtn
Type of Flying:
Ridge/Thermal
GPS: N 49
17 27.8
W 117 11 02.3
GPS LZ: N
Insurance: HPAC
or USHPA
XC Potential:
Good 50 km
plus
Do Not Land Here:
GPS
NO |
HPAC Skill Level
Recommendations:
Mild Conditions:
Int. Moderate Conditions: Int. or
Adv Strong
Conditions: Int. or Adv
Flying Season:
Assign value
0, 1, 2, 3 or 4 (highest):
Spring
4
Summer 4 Fall
4
Winter 4 (by ski doo)
Vehicle / Transportation
Requirements:
4WD
Description of Launch:
South ramp is excellent for
HGers,
but aging and a little rickety. Difficult rock face for NW launch.
Setup
area for about 10 gliders. The PGer launch is on a bluff (no more
tarp)
above the HG launch and is usually very easy to launch from.
Launch Directions:
Ymir is on the road from Salmo
to
Nelson. East of the Ymir Pub, turn left (Nth) just past the village
campground.
Immediately across the bridge turn right on Oscar Bear Rd. At 2.7 Km
turn
left. The road in is another 2 km. Half way in take the right fork.
From
there on it is serious, dangerous 4WD. This
is
not a joke - single lane / dangerous road to launch with no
pullouts and requiring 4X4 low gear capable vehicle. It is best to go
up
with a local the first time to learn the danger spots. The PGer launch
is on a tarp above the HG launch and is usually very easy to launch
from.
The HG ramp is incredibly easy to launch from even in a moderate cross
wind.
Times to Fly - all
day.
Soaring Information and
Weather
Notes: Conditions are consistently strong from 11am to 6pm in
the summer months.
Frequent wind shears and a lot
of
turbulence. Not a good site for novices as there is a lot of potential
for being trapped too far back.
This is the most consistent
site
in the area. Predictably soarable site and 7,000 altitude gains off
launch
are common.
The area is surrounded by old
gold
mines which can be seen from the air. Every season there are a number
of
XCs to Salmo and beyond (S-SE), and to Nelson (N) though the Nelson
route
is extremely committed with out-landings in logging cuts only, and walk
outs of many hours on locked logging roads.
Contacting Kootenay
Paragliding the
evening before flying is imperative
Radio contact to active
logging company
and Kootenay Paragliding for vehicle coordination is imperative!
Contact Kootenay Paragliding
250
357-2490, kootenayparagliding@gmail.com
Description of LZ:
PG may land downtown Ymir (at
the
campground or beside the river) in zero wind conditions ONLY. Downtown
is a turbulent, rotory mess if there is any wind in the valley. The
flag
on the Fire Department roof downtown will show false direction with
wind
speeds above 3kph.
The main HG / PG landing
field is
now closed as the Forest Service has replanted it. It was difficult to
approach and the air is often rough, prone to quite a bit of
turbulence.
Good approach skills were needed. The landowner has said we are no
longer
welcome to land at the Ymir Whirl disc golf course just above it (Nth)
where expert skills were needed particularly for HGers. A new flying
site
proposed between Ymir and Salmo may fix this deviciency. Stay Tuned.
Landing Directions:
PG Landing field is downtown
across
from Ymir Store and Hotel - this favorite drop in spot has liquid
refreshments
right across the road.
- This (PG) LZ is a
really
tight field, surrounded by power lines, trees and a river.
HG landing zone was on the
bench
above a large replanted mill site on north side of town on the
Porto-Rico-Ymir
Rd.
Other Information: Class
"E"
Airspace
above 700' AGL following land contour.
FIC Advanced Weather
Briefing
and HAGAR Notification:
1-866-WXBRIEF
(1-866-992-7433)
French service: 1-866-GOMETEO (1-866-466-3836)
Radio Frequency: 123.4
Mhz
(Aircraft)
& 173.640 Mhz, Local Club: to be determined
Site Record(s):
Best
gains in one thermal: 9000'.
Altitude Gain: 14,700'
ASL. Duration: Open
Distance: Dog Leg: Out &
Return: Triangle: Race to Goal:
Regulation Body:
Acrophobia
Primary
Local Contacts:
|
|
|
Goat
Mt - Creston - updated
April 6, 2009
Direction
of Launch: South.
Site Suitable for:
PG
Elevation Launch:
3300' asl
Elevation: LZ:
1700' asl
Site Regulation:
Informal
Location: NE of
Creston overlooking
town. |
Type of
Site: Mtn
Type of Flying: Ridge/Thermal
GPS: N 5
W
GPS LZ: N 5
W
Insurance: HPAC
or USHPA
XC Potential:
Good -60 Km
+ |
Flying Season:
Assign value
0, 1, 2, 3 or 4 (highest):
Spring
4
Summer 4 Fall
4
Winter 0
HPAC Skill Level
Recommendations:
Mild Conditions:
Int. Moderate Conditions:
Int. Strong
Conditions: Adv.
Vehicle / Transportation
Requirements: Rugged
2-WD
Description of Launch: We
have
heard of paragliding here again recently again. Info soon?
The old
HG
site is extremely overgrown and unlaunchable.
Road Directions to
Launch:
Times to Fly - late
morning
on. Earlier with North winds (upper launch)
Soaring Information and
Weather
Notes: Site once negotiated to allow XC competition flights across
the US border.
Description of LZ: Expecting
to secure an LZ this summer (2009)
Road Directions to LZ:
Other Information:
Radio Frequency: 123.4
Mhz
(Aircraft) & 173.640 Mhz, Local Club: to be determined
Class "E" Airspace above
2.200' AGL
following land contour to 2,500' ASL due to Airway V112.
FIC Advanced Weather
Briefing
and HAGAR Notification:
1-866-WXBRIEF
(1-866-992-7433)
French service: 1-866-GOMETEO (1-866-466-3836)
Site Record(s): Altitude
Gain: ' ASL. Duration: Open
Distance:
Km
Dog Leg:
Km Out & Return:
Km Triangle:
Km Race to Goal:
Regulation Body:
Acrophobia
Primary
Local Contacts:
|
|
Hamil
Bluffs
Direction
of Launch: Upper Launch: NNW Mid & lower launches: W facing.
Site Suitable for:
HG &
PG
Elevation: Upper
North Launches:
5000' asl
Elevation: Mid
West Launch: 4500'
asl
Elevation: Lower
Launch: 4000'
asl W facing
Elevation: LZ:
1900' asl
Site Regulation:
Informal
Location: NE end
of Kootenay
Lake
- east of Meadow Creek,
Nth of Argenta, |
Type of
Site: Mtn
Type of Flying: Ridge/Thermal
GPS: N 50
14 46.3 W
116 54 36.1
GPS: N 50
13 49.9 W
116 55 50.0
GPS:
GPS: LZ:
Insurance: HPAC
or USHPA
XC Potential:
Limited
Do Not Land in
Deer Farm: GPS
NO |
Flying Season:
Assign value
0, 1, 2, 3 or 4 (highest):
Spring
4
Summer 4 Fall
4
Winter 0
HPAC Skill Level
Recommendations:
Mild Conditions:
Nov. Moderate Conditions:
Int. Strong
Conditions: Adv.
Description of Launch:
Drive
into all launches.
Lower Launches: Three
launches:
1. Good W launch shaped by an excavator. Just north, a steeper PG
launch
above a sharp dropp off, better in some conditions,
100 yards farther north, near
the
repeater station, a launch allowing for Nth winds.
Mid Launch: A good
launch
but the air can be tricky - you many not know you are in a rotor until
you are in the air and get slapped hard over the tree line.
Upper Launches: Good
expereinced
intermediate to advanced N - NW facing launch (actually a Lower Lavina
Launch) which allows you to work the large N-NW facing ridge
over Duncan Lake, visible from
the
Camp Ground. Down wind slide to the L'Zs, or land at the beach north of
the camp ground.
Vehicle / Transportation
Requirements:
Excellent 2WD with a good low gear. Upper launch access requires good
clearance.
Last 100 yards - a really good low gear.
The upper launch road has a
few
short stretches with brush growing in. High grass on the road hides
shallow
cross ditches. Drive slowly!
Launch Directions:
Head north from Kaslo on Hyw
31,
take the east turn to Argenta. Take the middle fork over the bridge
heading
towards Duncan lake.
At the 5 km mark, turn right
(east)
on the Hamil Bluffs Rd.
Lower launch: take the road to
the
right at the 4.5 Km mark.
Mid launch: at the 6.7 Km mark
Upper Launch: take the L fork
at
the 8.5 Km mark. take the right fork at the 9 Km mark, take the left
forks
at rhe 10.1 and 10.8 Km marks, and turn right
into Nth Upper launch a the
12.4
Km mark, There is a west facing HG launch around the switchback just
above
the main launch.
A short hike south from the
main
upper launch set up area are potential W and SW facing launches.
Times to Fly - late
morning
on. Earlier with North winds (upper launch)
Soaring Information and
Weather
Notes:
Description of LZ:
Do not land in the Fallow Dear
Farm.
(Sign says watch for kids and dogs.)
Large fields south of launch
north
of the road to Argenta, just north of Kootenay Lake, Also the
large
beach just north of the Duncan Lake Campground (Low water conditons
only.)
Landing Directions:
Primary
LZ's:
a) Jacob's field -
access
through the logging operation yard 100m north of the Argenta Bridge
b) In the field
immediately
west of the Argenta Bridge
c) The large beach just
north
of the main Duncan Lake Campground (Low water conditons only.)
Access
road - turn west after the bridge just north of the main campground
turnoff.
Check
fist
to ensure low water conditions and that there is no log debree.
d) At the Drury's field
immediately
SW of the Meadow Creek Pub.
e) At the Brinkmans
field
along the highway and river just west of Duncan Dam.
Other Information:
Class "G" Airspace.
All launches are top landable
by
PGers. There is also an "On-Top" in the ravine between Mid and Upper
launches.
Radio Frequency: 123.4
Mhz
(Aircraft)
& 173.640 Mhz, Local Club: to be determined
FIC Advanced Weather
Briefing
and HAGAR Notification:
1-866-WXBRIEF
(1-866-992-7433)
French service: 1-866-GOMETEO (1-866-466-3836)
Site Record(s):
Altitude Gain: ' ASL. Duration:
Open
Distance: Km Dog Leg: Km Out &
Return:
Km Triangle: Km Race to Goal:
Regulation Body:
Acrophobia
Primary
Local Contacts:
HG: Jim
Smith
Tel. Kaslo
HG: Fred
Wilson Cell: 250-309-6651 (Vernon!) |
PG: Mike Zimmerman
Tel: 250-353-7393 Cell: 352-6321 Kaslo
PG: Jason
Leus
Tel:
250-357-2490 |
|
Idaho
Peak - updated
April
8th, 2009
Direction
of Launch: W / NW, S / SW
Site Suitable for:
HG &
PG
Elevation Launch:
7400' asl
Elevation LZ: 1800'
asl
Site Regulation:
Informal
Location:
Overlooking Slocan
Lake, Silverton and New Denver |
Type of
Site: Mtn
Type of Flying:
Thermal
GPS:
N W
Insurance: HPAC
or USHPA
XC Potential: Fair
Do Not Land Here:
GPS
NO |
Flying Season:
Assign value
0, 1, 2, 3 or 4 (highest):
Spring:
0
Summer: 4 Fall:
3
Winter: 0
HPAC Skill Level
Recommendations:
Mild Conditions:
Nov. Moderate Conditions:
Int. Strong
Conditions: Adv.
Vehicle / Transportation
Requirements:
Any Vehicle
Description of Launch:
Beautiful grassy knob at the
Lookout
amongst alpine meadow for West through NW (in front of lookout) There
is
a steep snag covered slope off heli pad for S / SW launch that can be
difficult
due to switching winds.
Launch Directions:
Heading East from New Denver
on
the road to Kaslo, take the south turn to Sandon. At Sandon turn west
onto
the Idaho Peak Forest Road. 13 km later you arrive at the parking lot.
There is a 1 mile hike with 300' elevation gain from the parking lot to
the lookout. Usually snowed in to mid July. Difficult hike with HG +
gear
but the alpine meadows and explosion of flowers in summertime make this
one of the most memorable alpine sites you will ever fly. (Watch your
favorite
card racks for postcards of launch!). There is over a mile of vertical
to the LZ at the Rec field in New Denver.
Times to Fly - all
day.
Soaring Information and
Weather
Notes:
Watch for dangerous wind
increases
on the lake. Strong shear layers are often encountered when descending
into valley due to strong outflows at lower altitudes. This site can
have
2000 fpm thermals during the day and gusty cadabatic winds in the
evening
as the sun shades in the valley. Flights to Kaslo and Nakusp are
possible in a HG or PG (and beyond!).
Description of LZ:
HG: The triangular field north
of
the New Denver Golf Course is HYPERSENSITIVE. You MUST contact the
landowner
before going up for permission. Ph # Doug Blake
PG: Rec Field / Ball park in
town
at camp site. Tight approach. Can be Gusty. Watch for waves on lake.
Must visit and gain
permission from
LZ owner @ north end of New Denver golf course before flying!
LZ owner is easy going if
permission
is sought, but nasty if not contacted prior to flying (He has treatened
to, and will revoke our landing priviledges there). He's heard every
"emergency
landing" excuse there is.
No problem going in person the
day
of flying .
Landing Directions:
PG LZ has a tight approach
into
a recreation field next to the town campsite and Japanese Gardens near
to the lake shore. HG LZ is the triangular field north of the New
Denver
Golf course in town and is sensitive. Check to obtain permission to
land
first.
Other Information:
Class "G" Airspace.
Idaho Peak Fly-In in New
Denver,
BC on the September Labour Day long weekend. Idaho Peak is a
magnificent
alpine meadow launch SE of the town of New Denver. The site is a mile
vertical
with incredible views into the Valhalla Mountains, Kokane Glacier Park
and the Goat Range. Easy 2WD access to the top on a 13 km road from
Sandon.
Explore old mine sites,
mountain
bike,tour ghost towns, hike, hot spring it or play in the lake.
Radio Frequency: 123.4
Mhz
(Aircraft)
& 173.640 Mhz, Local Club: to be determined
FIC Advanced Weather
Briefing
and HAGAR Notification:
1-866-WXBRIEF
(1-866-992-7433)
French service: 1-866-GOMETEO (1-866-466-3836)
Site Record(s):
Altitude Gain: ' ASL. Duration:
Open
Distance: Km Dog Leg: Km Out &
Return:
Km Triangle: Km Race to Goal:
Regulation Body:
Acrophobia
Primary
Local Contacts:
|
Krestova
Direction
of Launch: SSE
Site Suitable for:
HG &
PG
Elevation Launch: 4,400'
asl
Elevation LZ:
2,000' asl
Site Regulation:
Informal
Location: 16 km
west of the
small town of Crescent Valley, SW of Nelson. |
Type of
Site: Mtn
Type of Flying: Ridge/Thermal
GPS:
GPS LZ:
Insurance: HPAC
or USHPA
XC Potential:
Good 50 Km
+
Do Not Land
Here: GPS
NO |
HPAC Skill Level
Recommendations:
Intermediate.
Flying Season:
Assign value
0, 1, 2, 3 or 4 (highest):
Spring 0 -
3
Summer 3 Fall
2
Winter 0
Vehicle / Transportation
Requirements:
2-WD:
Description of
Launch:
Launch is from an old logging
slash
of a knoll on the side of the road. Launch is not visible from the road
so best go up with a local. LZ is just visible and is partially
obscured
by a ridge. Long low glide over trees off launch unless you get up
right
up. The launch road is off the road to the Provincial park. There is a
good steep grassy slope PGer hike in launch just past the HGer launch.
You'll need a local guide.
Launch Directions:
Contact
local pilots.
Times to Fly - all
day. This
is an exceptional morning site. Excellent air at dawn's early light in
the summer.
Soaring Information and
Weather
Notes:
Description of LZ:
Krestova recreational games
fields.
Lots of room so long as it is not in use
Other Information:
Class "E" Airspace above 700'
AGL
following land contour.
FIC Advanced Weather
Briefing
and HAGAR Notification:
1-866-WXBRIEF
(1-866-992-7433)
French service: 1-866-GOMETEO (1-866-466-3836)
Radio Frequency: 123.4
Mhz
(Aircraft)
& 173.640 Mhz, Local Club: to be determined
The flying season can be
short, June
to November due to snow. Occasionally the road is plowed in late
spring.
Site Record(s):
Altitude Gain: ' ASL. Duration:
Open
Distance: Km Dog Leg: Km Out &
Return:
Km Triangle: Km Race to Goal:
Regulation Body:
Acrophobia
Primary
Local Contacts:
Mt.
Lavina |
Direction
of Launch: W / SE.
Site Suitable for:
HG &
PG
Elevation: Launch: 7350'
asl
LZ: 2000' asl
Site Regulation:
Informal
Location: NE end
of Kootenay
Lake
- east of Meadow Creek,
Nth of Kaslo, |
Type of
Site: Mtn
Type of Flying: Ridge/Thermal
GPS:
GPS LZ:
Insurance: HPAC
or USHPA
XC Potential: Poor
Do Not Land
Here: GPS
NO |
Flying Season:
Assign value
0, 1, 2, 3 or 4 (highest):
Spring: 0 -
3
Summer: 4 Fall:
3
Winter: 0
HPAC Skill Level
Recommendations:
Mild Conditions:
Int Moderate Conditions: Int Strong
Conditions:
Int.- Adv. HG ramp is advanced.
Vehicle / Transportation
Requirements:
Serious 4-WD, otherwise a reasonable road surface.
Caution: road is not for the
faint
of heart! It is kept open by ATV and hunting vehicles. Note reverse
driving
swithback on top of the ridge before the foresty hut. PS: Don't
have
your wife drive for you. Your vehicle will be abandoned half way down
and
the only time you'll hear from her again is when the divorce papers
arrive.
(-: (-;
Description of Launches:
Mt Lavina has 5300' vertical W
and
S / SE launches.
1. a short HG Ramp 1/4 of the
way
in along the ridge before Forestry Lookout Towers.
2. Drive due south 3/4 of thee
way
into the end along the summit road. 100m before the end of the road is
a steep gravel HG / PG launch facing west. Room to set up 2 gliders in
light conditions. There is a pile of wood debris across the road from
the
walk in, just past a demolished HG ramp with 20 year old trees growing
in front of it.
3. SE facing launch is below
the
Sth Point parking area and is suitable for HG & PG.
- Note: Just before the
lookout
tower there is a switch back that requires you to back up through one
section.
Launch Directions:
Take the road north from Kaslo
to
Meadow Creek and take the east turnoff towards Argenta.
- At the N end of
Kootenay
Lake, drive Nth to check out the Meadow Creek LZ.
To access launch, turn east
towards
Argenta and take the middle fork heading north over the 2nd
bridge
and carry on 10Km to the Mt Lavina Forest access Rd. The first half is
a new road, then take the old 4WD road 12.7 Km to the summit.
Times to Fly - all
day. Best
from late morning on.
Soaring Information and
Weather
Notes: Good site in west flow or light southerlies.
Description of LZ:
Please check in with the
locals
to determine which field to land in.
1. Blinkman Field 1 Km the
north
of Meadow creek on the east side of the river, north of the road into
the
dam.
2. Just southwest of the
Meadow
Creek Pub on the west side of the road, or Alan Drury's filed west of
his
house at the SW corner of the road across from the Meadow Creek Pub.
3. Beach area during low water
periods
on Duncan Lake at the 2nd (overflow) campgroud at Glacier Creek (turn
off
west just past the bridge past the main campground entrance) which is a
few hundred meters north of the turnoff to Lavina launch, 5 km north of
Hamill Bluff launch turnoff. (Check first, can be flooded / littered by
logs.)
4. The field on the north side
of
the road just east of the Duncan River Bridge on the road into launch.
Other Information:
Class "G" Airspace.
FIC Advanced Weather
Briefing
and HAGAR Notification:
1-866-WXBRIEF
(1-866-992-7433)
French service: 1-866-GOMETEO (1-866-466-3836)
Radio Frequency: 123.4
Mhz
(Aircraft)
& 173.640 Mhz, Local Club: to be determined
Spectacular views of the Mt
McBeth.
Hiking trails nearby into Jumbo Pass, Monica Meadows and more. You may
see huge flocks of Canada Geese and other migratory or nesting birds.
Watch
for spawning Kokanee Salmon in creeks. Trout Lake to the NW (and Duncan
Lake directly below launch) have good fishing. The NE end of Kootenay
Lake
has spectacular fishing. (Note: the fishing south of the Balvour Ferry
route on Kootenay Lake is World Class. - a do not miss for the true
afficionado.
Can be a real experience for kids.)
Site Record(s):
Altitude Gain: ' ASL. Duration:
Open
Distance: Km Dog Leg: Km Out &
Return:
Km Triangle: Km Race to Goal:
Regulation Body:
Acrophobia
Primary
Local Contacts:
HG: Jim
Smith
Tel. Kaslo
HG: Fred
Wilson Cell: 250-309-6651 (Vernon!) |
PG: Mike Zimmerman
Tel: 250-353-7393 Cell: 352-6321 Kaslo
PG: Jason
Leus Tel:
250-357-2490 |
Meadow
Mt, Meadow Bluff
Direction
of Launch: Upper Launch: 360° launches Lower launch: NE facing
Site Suitable for:
HG &
PG
Elevation: Upper
Launch:
8000' asl
Elevation: Lower
Launch: 3150'
asl
Elevation: LZ:
1900' asl
Site Regulation:
Informal
Location: North
of Kaslo
- West of Meadow Creek |
Type of
Site: Mtn
Type of Flying: Ridge/Thermal.
High
Flights
GPS:
N W
GPS: N 50 13 420
W116 59
42.2
GPS:
N W
Insurance: HPAC
or USHPA
XC Potential:
Limited
Do Not Land
Here: GPS
NO |
Flying Season:
Assign value
0, 1, 2, 3 or 4 (highest):
Spring:
3
Summer: 3 Fall:
3
Winter: 2 - Snow Cat
HPAC Skill Level
Recommendations:
Mild Conditions:
Nov. Moderate Conditions:
Int. Strong
Conditions: Adv.
Vehicle / Transportation
Requirements:
Excellent 2WD. Any vehicle. Upper Launch last section high clearance 4WD
Description of Launch:
Upper
launch is gated off at the 4000' level. See Allan Drury for the key.
There
is a 700' vertical, 1/2 hour hike to the launch area. If you launch off
the back side, the bombout LZ is the meadows 400' below, vehicle
accessible.
Lower Launch: Drive
into
lower launch..
Launch Directions:
Head north from Kaslo on Hyw
31,
turn left at the Meadow Creek Pub. Alan Drury's house is the first one
on you left.
At the 2 Km mark, take the
right
fork. At 3.5 Km take the left fork onto Meadow Mt. Rd.
Lower Launch: turn left onto
the
"Branch 1" Meadow Bluff Rd at the 8 Km mark, at the 12 Km mark take the
left fork for 0.3 Km.
Upper Launch: Stay on the Main
Meadow
Mt Rd. It is a fairly long drive. With the hike, a summit launch is an
all day committment. However there is talk of reparing the final
section
of road to the summit.
Times to Fly - Upper
Launch:
all day (360° launch) Lower launch is good from the crack of dawn
on.
Camp and fly.
Soaring Information and
Weather
Notes:
All launches are top landable
by
PGers.
Description of LZ: Land
at
Allan
Drury's just SW of the Meadow Creek Pub, or the large field
immediately
south of his property, directly below launch.
Other Information: Class
"G"
Airspace.
FIC Advanced Weather
Briefing
and HAGAR Notification:
1-866-WXBRIEF
(1-866-992-7433)
French service: 1-866-GOMETEO (1-866-466-3836)
Radio Frequency: 123.4
Mhz
(Aircraft)
& 173.640 Mhz, Local Club: to be determined
At the 2 Km mark into
launch, take
the left fork into the Kokanee spawning grounds. 30 Million Kokanee
spawning
late Aug through Sept.
Site Record(s):
Altitude Gain: ' ASL. Duration:
Open
Distance: Km Dog Leg: Km Out &
Return:
Km Triangle: Km Race to Goal:
Regulation Body:
Acrophobia
Primary
Local Contacts:
HG: Jim
Smith
Tel. Kaslo
HG: Fred
Wilson Cell: 250-309-6651 (Vernon!) |
PG: Mike Zimmerman
Tel: 250-353-7393 Cell: 352-6321 Kaslo
PG: Jason
Leus Tel:
250-357-2490 |
|
Munson
New 1000' vertical spring Site
between
Salmo and Fruitvale. Stay tuned.
|
Pig
Farm
Earth.Google
Image
Launch is just off Hwy 16
km north
of Creston on the way to Crawford Bay and is the first clearing north
of
Creston. The site requires NW or W wind. Trees below launch are getting
high.
Class "E" Airspace above
12,500'
AGL.
Contact Vincent
Wolf Tel. 250-428-5500 PG (Creston)
|
Red
Mountain
Earth.Google
Image
PGer: Murney Luchka Tel.
250-362-5526
PGer: Hans Korn Tel:
250-362-9277
Location: Rossland (Trail) BC
Soaring Information and
Weather
Notes:
Class "E" Airspace above
700' AGL
following land contour.
|
Saddle Look Out
(Near Faquier west of
Nakusp)
Description of
Launch:
Saddle Look Out is a 5800'
East
facing vertical flight for PGers. Launch is at 7300' with landing near
Arrow Lake at 1500'. Situated on the west side of Arrow Lake you turn
north
immediately west of the Faquier Ferry. The road to the lookout is well
marked. There is a 2500' vertical hike at the top which takes you to
Alpine
meadow launches which face primarily East.
Possible hang gliding
launches off
the road on the way up in new clear cuts.
There are new clear cuts at
the summit
immediately above (east) of Faquier with promising W facing launches.
Stay
tuned in 2007. Earth.Google Image
Times to Fly - from
the crack
of dawn on. Camp and fly.
Site Record(s):
Altitude Gain: ' ASL. Duration:
Open
Distance: Km Dog Leg: Km Out &
Return:
Km Triangle: Km Race to Goal:
Contact: Bob Bauman
in Nakusp
at 250-265-4161
Other Information:
Class "G"
Airspace.
FIC Advanced Weather
Briefing
and HAGAR Notification:
1-866-WXBRIEF
(1-866-992-7433)
French service: 1-866-GOMETEO (1-866-466-3836)
|
Sanka-Creek / Haystack
Launch
- New site, stay tuned.
Site Suitable
for: PG
Direction of Launch:
S
to
NW
Elevation: Launch:
'
asl
Elevation: LZ: '
asl
Location: East
Shore of Kootenay
Lake, North of Creston |
Type of
Site: Mtn
Type of Flying: Ridge/Thermal.
GPS: N
W
GPS:
N W
Do Not Land Here:
GPS NO |
Landing Directions:
Nice LZ at the bottom
|
Slocan Ridge
Direction
of Launch: SW
Site Suitable for:
HG &
PG
Elevation: Upper
Launch:
6550' asl,
Elevation: Lower
Thompsons Knob
Launch: 2650' asl
Elevation: LZ:
1650' asl
Site Regulation:
Informal
Location: In the
Slocan Valley,
60 Km North west of
Nelson on Hwy
3a. |
Type of
Site: Mtn
Type of Flying: Ridge/Thermal.
Glass
Offs, wave
GPS: N 49 31 260
W 117 33
177
GPS:
N W
GPS:
N W
Insurance: HPAC
or USHPA
XC Potential:
Good 70 Km
+
Do Not Land
Here: GPS
NO |
Flying Season:
Assign value
0, 1, 2, 3 or 4 (highest):
Spring: 0 - 4
(snow)
Summer: 4 Fall:
3
Winter: 0
HPAC Skill Level
Recommendations:
Mild Conditions:
Nov. Moderate Conditions:
Int. Strong
Conditions: Adv.
Vehicle / Transportation
Requirements:
4WD / High clearance 2WD with a very good low gear.
Description of Launch:
Small ramp off the side of the
setup
area. PGer slope 5m to the north. Launch is the highest point on the
mountain
at the repeater tower.
Launch Directions:
Drive north about 30 km up the
Slocan
Valley towards Winlaw. Turn right onto the Pedro Creek Rd. At the first
fork turn left onto the Pedro Creek Forest Service Rd, then keep going
straight until 9.5 Km where you turn right. Total 15 Km. Drive around
the
first Tower and keep going till you get to the top Repeater Tower. The
HG launch is a small ramp facing SW right beside the tower. More
information
on the launch and landing field at the Slocan Park country store (Gulf
Station)
PGers can launch beside the
ramp
but it is a very difficult launch . Reverse launch prefered.
Times to Fly - Noon
on.
Soaring Information and
Weather
Notes: Glass-off warning!
This effect will often last
until
dark making for dangerous landings. Proficiency of advanced descent
techniques
is mandatory! Big Ears are not sufficient.
Can be home to some truly
amazing
evening convection as the west side of the valley shades in.
Storms and winds can also move
in
quickly to this narrow valley so be aware! Flying north you can run
into
a head wind.
Excellent flying as soon as
the
road opens (always by July) Great site for short XC and out and returns
- ridge is 13 km long. Wonderful view of 10,500' high Valhalla Park.
Easy
26 Km XC to Nelson and 32 Km xc to Slocan City.
Landing Directions:
There are two main landing
fields.
This is one site where you do not want to diddle around low. Pick your
LZ early. You cannot see either LZ from the launch area but they become
visible right after launch. It's about a 3-1 glide to either one.
1. Kosiancic's field is the
southernmost,
on the west side of the highway 5 km north of Crescent Valley. It is a
big triangular field. Approaching from the North you have to set up
flying
through the apex of the triangle which can be tricky as one side is
trees
and the other side is powerlines. Approaching from the south is
generally
easy but slightly downhill at the south which climbs at the north.
Imperative
to check with Ian Thomson about landing in this field because of crops
and horses. N 49 28 565 W 117 35 222
2. The northern field is by
the Co-op
Video Store in Slocan Park, the next community going up the valley. It
is a huge field landable in any direction. Usually a large windsock in
the middle of it. Excellent vertical bluffs up to 4000' high nearby to
scratch on. Major fun flying even when low. N 49 30 482 W 117 37 212
Other Information:
Class "E" Airspace above 700'
AGL
following land contour.
FIC Advanced Weather
Briefing
and HAGAR Notification:
1-866-WXBRIEF
(1-866-992-7433)
French service: 1-866-GOMETEO (1-866-466-3836)
Radio Frequency: 123.4
Mhz
(Aircraft)
& 173.640 Mhz, Local Club: to be determined
Site Record(s): Altitude:
14,000''
ASL. (Tyson Ehlers) Open
Distance:
to New Denver (Doug Blake)
Duration:
Dog Leg:
Km Out
& Return: Km Triangle:
Km
Race
to Goal:
Regulation Body:
Acrophobia
Primary
Local Contacts:
|
Thompson Lookout - updated
April 7 2009
Site Suitable
for: HG & PG
Direction of Launch:
W
Elevation: Launch:
7100'
asl LZ:
Elevation: LZ:
1700' asl
Site Regulation:
Informal
Location: Top of
ridge heading
across the US Border
SE from Creston. Launch
overlooks
Lister. |
Type of
Site: Mtn
Type of Flying:
Ridge/Thermal
GPS: N 49 05 25.8
W 118 22
48.8
GPS LZ: N
W
XC Potential:
Good
Do Not Land near
Bountyful |
Flying Season:
Assign value
0, 1, 2, 3 or 4 (highest):
Spring
4
Summer 3 Fall
4
Winter 0
HPAC Skill Level
Recommendations:
Mild Conditions:
Nov. Moderate Conditions: Int.
Strong
Conditions: Int.
Vehicle / Transportation
Requirements:
2-WD / 4-WD.
Description of Launch:
Large grassy slope directly
below
the lookout tower. LZ is a 1 - 1 glide barely visible from launch
looking
down the draw.
Launch Directions:
Drive out of Creston heading
towards
Cranbrook on the #3 and turn right 1.6 km past the last gas station
(Race
Trac Gas) at Mountain Park campground on to Canyon Lister Rd. Follow
this
road about 1.1km from Mountian Park Campground and turn left onto
Whimster
Rd. Drive until it takes a sharp right and continue straight on to the
gravel road. At 1.6 Km (from turning onto Whimster Rd) there is a fork
in the road, go straight. Follow the main road from there to the top: a
10 km and 40 minute drive. Use the Arrow and Kootenay Lakes Recreation
Map available from the Forest District
Times to Fly - Noon
on.
Soaring Information and
Weather
Notes:
Launch can be rotored out in
south
conditions. Be careful of sink in the ravine.
Ridge extends into the US and
offers
good XC potential. Cross Border Flight XC meets have been held here
where
pilots land in the USA given prior agreement with US Immigration.
See the HPAC or AQVL website
competition
sections for more information.
Description of LZ:
Large field below launch near
the
village of Lister (heading south on Canyon Lister Rd.)
Avoid landing near Bountyful,
they
are a little touchy with their land.
Landing Directions:
Follow the same directions as
going
to launch but instead of turning left on Whimster continue 3.6 km (from
Mountain park campground) and turn left on to 40th St. Follow 40th St
for
0.5 km, there will be a large field on the left , a green house with
white
trim located far back on the field (owners of the field). There are two
driveways side by side be sure to take the first one. Parking has be
done
either on the shoulder of 40th or in a small pullout in the field just
off 40th. Though the owner has expressed there isn't always the need to
touch base with them first, it is still recommended especially if there
is an active crop in the field. Please respect the field, it would be
very
unfortunate if we were to loose the privilege to land in such a nice
open
and clean field. The owners are very HG/PG friendly.
Other Information:
Class "E" Airspace above
2.200'
AGL following land contour due to IFR V112.
FIC Advanced Weather
Briefing
and HAGAR Notification:
1-866-WXBRIEF
(1-866-992-7433)
French service: 1-866-GOMETEO (1-866-466-3836)
Radio Frequency: 123.4
Mhz
(Aircraft)
& 173.640 Mhz, Local Club: to be determined
Site Record(s): Altitude
Gain: 15,500' ' ASL. Open Distance: ? Km
into
the USA!
Duration: Dog
Leg: Km Out &
Return:
Km Triangle: Km Race to Goal:
Regulation Body:
Acrophobia
Primary
Local Contacts:
|
Wild Horse
Under Development. Stay
Tuned
|
|
Closed Sites |
Goat Mountain. (Creston)
is again
being flown by Paragliders.
Lemon Creek Lookout (Slocan)
is
a hike in until a top section road access is obtained.
Nelson Mountain = due to
Airport
Spencer (Grand Forks) CLOSED
TEMPORARILY
True Blue (Kaslo) overgrown,
ramp
has been burned.
Whisky Creek (Salmo)
Finally: A new launch was
planned
for Mt. Elise (the next Mt towards Nelson) which may replace Dundee.
Stay
tuned. |