OMG! 17,000 ft Flying gliders sailplanes in Moriarty NM by Roy Dawson video

By riding columns of rising air called thermals, gliders ascend to astonishing altitudes, and the view from the cockpit is spectacular. We fly year-round in the beautiful New Mexico high desert, and on occasion are even joined by eagles, hawks, and falcons.
For the soaring enthusiast, we have gliders for rent ranging from trainers to high-performance ships. The Southwest Soaring Museum is located just 2 miles away in Moriarty. Go to this website for more info on flying gliders.
soarsundance.com/ Ride in our gliders! Sundance Aviation offers glider rides, lessons, and rentals. We are located in Moriarty just south of Historic Route 66.
Moriarty boasts some of the finest year-round soaring conditions in the United States, including 15-knot thermals to 22,000 ft, mountain waves to 34,000 ft, and orographic lift off the Manzano, Sandia, Ortiz, and Sangre de Cristo mountain ranges. Many flights in excess of 1000 kilometers or 600 miles are recorded each year. The airport is located in the Estancia Valley which runs generally north and south with the Sandia and Manzano mountain ranges to the west. The Sangre de Cristo Mountains, the southern terminus of the great Rocky Mountain chain, are to the north.
After releasing from a 2,000-foot tow, a glider pilot can climb thousands of feet higher utilizing nothing more than naturally occurring vertical air currents in the atmosphere. Then the pilot begins a high-speed glide toward the destination ahead. The glider may not have to circle again for many miles before yet another graceful climb followed by another glide. This is the sport of soaring.
Although some glider pilots find satisfaction in staying close to their home airport, many consider cross-country soaring to be one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences a pilot can have. Either way, every flight is different. Whether it is a badge or record attempt, a competition, or just an enjoyable day in the air pilots must constantly hone their skills and make the most efficient use of the weather to stay aloft..
The world altitude record for a glider is more than 79,000ft. Distance flights of more than 1000 kilometers are not uncommon. The longest task ever flown in a glider is just over 3000 kilometers.
ABOUT THE CLUB
The Albuquerque Soaring Club (ASC) was established in 1960 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. After numerous moves, the club found a permanent home at the Moriarty Airport in the summer of 1970. The clubhouse, which was designed and built by club members, is one of the first hangars constructed at the airport.
The purpose of the club is to:
Promote the sport of soaring.
Provide the facilities necessary to allow glider-rated pilots the opportunity to soar in the Albuquerque area.
Provide safe and reasonably priced equipment and services to its members.
Provide ongoing training and education to its members.
Provide for the growth of the ASC by recruiting and training new members.
Promote fellowship through club-sponsored social events.
Be a "good neighbor" to the town of Moriarty and its residents.
abqsoaring.org/ soaring club

[@billS-c3n]

Cool vid. If you like getting high, try John Kangas' King Mountain Safari every year in July. It's in Moore Idaho and the mountains are fan-friggin-tastic. Sometimes they open the airspace for gliders so getting to 21 or more is possible. I've been above 17 in a hang glider over the Lost River range. It's the strongest lift I've ever been in. Huge XC potential is there. You're closer to Owens, but King shouldn't be missed.

[@flygliders]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts

[@jorgbachtiger7338]

How did you added the real time data to the video? The video looks just great.

[@flygliders]

I use the info from the gps data logger inside the glider and use dashware.net software free from GoPro. I combine the 2 to make the video with real-time flight time.

[@chrisgrab7148]

Nice video! When did this flight take place?

[@flygliders]

Somewhere around 2018-2019. Thanks for sharing your thoughts