The San Diego Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association launch at Palomar is a special place. Stunning views, great flying potential, suitable for beginners first mountain flights with 2150ft elevation difference.
Just before I arrived in California in 2013, diplomatic efforts by club members in negotiations with the Pauma Indian tribe that owns the launch had just paid big dividends. Grading work was done, a large amount of trash removed, gates, locks and signage put in, a dedicated 'bail out' landing created, and access to a huge, safe main LZ in a working, privately owned ranch area LZ was negotiated.
Club President Steve Rohrbough organized a small work party on a crisp winter January day to mow grass, clear weeds and cut three new slots for HG and PG take off to further improve the launch.
After the work was done we were lucky to have some soft winter thermals come in and drift us up the hill to nearly 5000ft. All our cars were on launch, so we had to top land. It was the first time I had top landed at this site but the flat parking area of the launch is huge, and we had cleared brush for the most common top landing approach, so it was really easy.
Me, Bryce, Matteo Manzari and Paul Oddou
It's pretty unusual to see southern California with snow! There was a big storm a few days before and the snow was still on the shaded side of the hill. The parking and launch areas are in the lower right of this shot.
Mateo Manzari comes in for top landing
Paul Oddou prepares to launch on the newly de-weeded launch area
Just before I arrived in California in 2013, diplomatic efforts by club members in negotiations with the Pauma Indian tribe that owns the launch had just paid big dividends. Grading work was done, a large amount of trash removed, gates, locks and signage put in, a dedicated 'bail out' landing created, and access to a huge, safe main LZ in a working, privately owned ranch area LZ was negotiated.
Club President Steve Rohrbough organized a small work party on a crisp winter January day to mow grass, clear weeds and cut three new slots for HG and PG take off to further improve the launch.
After the work was done we were lucky to have some soft winter thermals come in and drift us up the hill to nearly 5000ft. All our cars were on launch, so we had to top land. It was the first time I had top landed at this site but the flat parking area of the launch is huge, and we had cleared brush for the most common top landing approach, so it was really easy.
Club President Steve Rohrbough organized the launch maintenance day.
Me, Bryce, Matteo Manzari and Paul Oddou
It's pretty unusual to see southern California with snow! There was a big storm a few days before and the snow was still on the shaded side of the hill. The parking and launch areas are in the lower right of this shot.
Mateo Manzari comes in for top landing
Paul Oddou prepares to launch on the newly de-weeded launch area