Re: Children of the Wind -- Point of the Mountain, Utah

From: Humbler Hurlbett
Activity_Date: 5/24 /01
Remote Name: 207.71.212.250

Comments

It was immediately evident to me after reading Ron's hilarious description of our trip to Point of the Mountain that he was suffering the effects of too many antibiotics mixed with way too much Seagram's and Red Bull. To suggest that a chimpanzee, briefly trained or not, could survive the gaggle of 40 to 50 wings on the North Side launch and ascend high enough to make that most difficult and challenging transition up the back ridge to the top of the mountain is clearly the ranting of a fevered and unstable mind.

I will admit, however, that this short little trip to Utah was a humbling experience. We were entertained both morning and night by a large group of very talented pilots who took turns plummeting toward earth doing SATs, rolls, death spirals and other insane maneuvers. As a counterpoint to the humiliation we felt in knowing that none of us is likely to even attempt a SAT during this lifetime, we were rewarded in the gracious and unending instruction received from pilots of the likes of Dixon White, Chris Santacroce, Steve Mayer, Bill Bellcourt and Dale Covington. We were given almost unfettered use of new, crinkly demos from a dozen or so distributors who took time-out to fine-tune our meager kiting skills when the strong winds and serious rotor on the South Side threatened life and limb.

In fact, despite the fact there were so many pilots from around the country and the world attending this event (the largest number to attend Demo Days in its history), we were surprised that extra demos always seemed to be available. I flew my own wing on Thursday evening, packed it away on Friday morning, and never touched it again. Instead, I flew the Firebird Matrix, Airwave Epic, Ozone Electron, the Nova Carbon and a wing by Gradient, both on the ridge at South Side and in the mountains from Inspiration Point and Mt. Olympus. Although mountain conditions weren't strong enough to provide a fair comparison, my favorites were the Carbon (faster, more maneuverable) and the Matrix (more stable and solid). My plans to replace my Nova X-Act remain in limbo, however, because FB is about to release the "Hornet," a DHV-2 upgrade of the Matrix.

Thanks to Steve Mayer and everyone at Cloud 9 Souring Center for organizing this event and providing so much of their time, instruction, inspiration, beer and Red Bull. Thanks also to Chris Santacroce at Superfly, Dixon White at Airplay, Alan Bradley with Nova, Jaramir Lahulec and Sara Teitelman of Skyco Sports, Deon from Canada and all the other great folks who brought their wares and subjected them to potential damage each time Ron, Benson, Bill, Tom or I launched into the void. And despite the fact that Dixon, Chris and Steve's most excellent demonstration of high wind kiting caused Ron and I to seriously question our USHGA ratings, we learned skills that should immediately translate into fewer scrapes, abrasions, puncture wounds and other embarrassments at Pine Mtn. and Chief's Peak.

Oh, and Benson, while I appreciate the fact that Ojai has fine-tuned your palate to a higher level than those of us marooned here in Santa Barbara, if you ever again insist on Fazoli's for dinner, it will be your last, am I clear on this?