XC Hang Gliding King Mountain, Idaho

[@nancyperez229]

My baby brother is HIGH on LIFE ! So proud of him !!!

[@no_elzee]

Thanks, Nancy! 🙌

[@MikeBomstad]

Looks like fun! How did Jeff's landing end up? Vid ended too soon.

[@freebirds325]

No, the vid didn't end too soon. My landing was like Noel's. You could see that my ground speed at 1000' was nearly zero due to that crazy wind. So as I got close to the ground, the reduction in wind speed due to the wind gradient took away my lift and I pancaked onto the ground. Slightly bent both weak links. The last 20-30 minutes of that flight was nerve-wrecking. I was 2-3k' higher than Noel and fighting endless lift. I couldn't get out of it no matter where I went. High-banked spiral diving, full flaps, was the only way to lose altitude.

[@no_elzee]

Hi Mike I guess Jeff said it best. But, I did cut that part out to keep the video light hearted. 😉

[@u171098atgmail]

flying King Mtn in a knee hanger harness? time to upgrade for the big XC flying

[@no_elzee]

Good call Glenn! I've gotten very comfortable with it. But, I'm working on transitioning. Thanks

[@justhangin7186]

Nice

[@no_elzee]

Thanks!

[@svdreamsfloat]

Great video. I grew up in Arco. Worked at my grandfathers restuarant and during the summer all the hang glider guys would come in and I would charge their radios over night. Good times

[@no_elzee]

Funny you say that! It was such a challenge to keep the the GoPros and battery banks charged for the next flight. And, yeah, it looks like a fun place to be a kid! Thanks for replying!

[@DaveZippy1]

Fantastic. Thanks for bringing us along. Great use of camera angles with long transitions.

[@no_elzee]

I really appreciate the feedback! Thank you.

[@stevenkampmann9680]

If you can thermal you need a pod or at least cocoon 🎉

[@jesseeejess89]

Fly ya old man fly

[@no_elzee]

Thanks Jesse! I will, as long as you're the wind beneath my wings, like Bette Midler. 😂

[@Theworldofhanggliding]

May we conclude that Jeff's landing wasn't worth showing ? 😅😉 Also - do you have the flight track uploaded somewhere ? Was it an out-and-return, triangle or just straight out ? Nice video, thanks !

[@no_elzee]

Jeff's landing are always flawless and Olympic grade. But, this landing was almost as bad as mine. My flight track looks less like a triangle and more like a old man taking a wiz. 😀 Thanks for replying! Here's the link. drive.google.com/file/d/1PXiWEcHehd_CTBbwedEkueCqAJzUeyN_/view?usp=drivesdk

[@vetteseller5]

Subscribed bro. Keep up the good work

[@ecoturismovalle1570]

Nice video and balls of steel during turbulence....yes...pull in during turbulence. You gave up on the landing how come?

[@no_elzee]

You're right! It was gusting on and off, though... My other landings were perfect. 😉 (Nah, they weren't 😂.)

[@ecoturismovalle1570]

@@no_elzee I have a bad knee with 2 surgeries and I am 55 yrs old. I developed a Technique to land on wheels whenever possible. (Hard to do when cross country-ing though)...I will try to send you a link bellow kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z5ndoKZ4a76BmNk

[@aimandjulian3195]

that looked like a rough ride

[@no_elzee]

Yeah. The air was very smooth at first. But, when that changed, i didn't expect to make it back. 😊 Glad you enjoyed the video!

[@UnderSprayedWhiteSkies]

Do you ever return to the launch site to land, or is it necessary to land at a safer spot in the valley? Also, plz, do you know where you are going to land before you launch? If so, I assume you have the property owner's permission (if it happens to be private property). I lived in Challis Idaho for 10 years, and drove past the road to King Mtn. Launch many times but never ventured up there. Cheers from Eagar, AZ.

[@no_elzee]

Hi there Typically, each legit launch site has it's landing zone (LZ), usually about a mile or so, away from the launch site. Before we launch any site, we get familiar with the LZ, unless we are planning a cross country flight. In wich case, we land on the side of a road or an open field close to a road for an easy ride out.

[@HG_well]

Bumpy ride?

[@no_elzee]

Yes!!! It got really bad, really fast. But, this place is amazing like that. Can't wait to go back next year.

[@HG_well]

@@no_elzee I agree, the place is beautiful. I need to fly there soon!

[@MayraAMunoz]

Totally Awesome dude!!

[@no_elzee]

You, too, are awesome. Keep on trucking, Mayra! ✊😁

[@gardenkid1]

🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘

[@no_elzee]

Yeah, Tita!!! 🤘

[@FlyPhiGuy]

Fun video, thanks. John Kangus is a star for hosting pilots at King Mountain.

[@no_elzee]

Yessir! It's amazing all that he does. Thank for there reply, Mark!

[@ericoschmitt]

The reaction should always be pull in! You stretched your arms, that can lead to tumbling forwards if the descending current is strong enough

[@no_elzee]

Yes! Good tip. I should've kept the bar pulled in for sure. 👍 Lucky nothing broke. But, it looked hella funny!

[@ericoschmitt]

@@no_elzee advantages of kingposts, makes these situations less scary. I've had a couple, weightless for a second, steep dive afterwards... But dumb me turns around and tries again, I wouldn't walk away from a strong thermal haha