SOUTHERN UTAH

Southern Utah: Sept. 17 - 19

Why Southern Utah?
Utah has more to offer than just the Wasatch range. For example the various high plateaus and mountain ranges in the center of the state. Unbroken ridgelines from horizon to horizon, drive-up launches at 11 k and express-climbs to 17,999 ft and beyond. The flying potential of the area is huge, but has so far been only scratched (current Monroe Peak site record: 63 miles. On a 2002-DHV1/2 glider…).

That’s why we are going to use the League Meet to go BIG in central Utah. At least 3 of the launches pioneered by Stacy Whitmore of CUASA (http://www.cuasa.com/index.html) offer epic cross country potential. Edna Peak in the Tushars boasts a huge launch meadow at 11300 feet, facing a thermal generator that turns on at 9.30 am. Two dead-certain lines run either north-east up the Pavant range towards Scipio (58 miles) or Mt. Nebo (100 miles), or south-west towards St. George (113 miles). Monroe Peak offers a similarly sweet deal on the edge of the Sevier plateau, climbs to 17999k right off launch at 11k and a high speed racing track down towards Bryce Canyon National Park (68 miles). Parker launch in the vicinity of Fish Lake opens up the Wasatch Plateau with its unbroken ridgeline all the way up to Salt Lake (150 miles), or daring desert dashes along I70 east towards the Colorado border (150 miles). And I probably don’t have to point out that the Utah state record has been squatting at 154 miles since ten years...

Flying
Expect strong mountain conditions- fast climbs to high altitudes, often over tiger country. Come and fly prepared for the possibility of a long hike out. A SPOT tracking system is highly recommended, since cell phone coverage away from the main roads is non-existent. Because of site insurance requirements, participants will have to join CUASA (Central Utah Air Sports Association; $35.00 yearly, $25.00 temporary). Please register at http://usparaglidingcomps.com/, such that we can organize sufficient retrieve capacity.

Where to meet/stay
We will set up camp in the town of Marysvale at South-Forty RV park (38°27'38.25"N; 112°13'56.88"W). Meet Thursday evening 09/16. Marysvale is located right between Mt Edna and Monroe Peak, two of our main launches. Bring your Speed Wing: The area offers plenty opportunities for mountain descents or high-wind soaring on blown-out days. As for non-aerial entertainment, ATV-rentals are available in Marysvale; the Sevier river and nearby Piute reservoir offer fishing, rafting and the like. To get to Marysvale, plan about a 3 h drive from Salt Lake and 4 h from Las Vegas.

10 min into the flight after launching from Edna


Glass-off at Cove


Southern Utah Cloud Streets

Contact:
Jochen Rink 801-674-8270; jochen.rink at neuro.utah dot edu
Stacy Whitmore 435-979-0225; stacy at cuasa dot com)
Southern Utah League Meet Map (PDF 263kb)