What a fun weekend. You sure missed out if you passed on it. Flying was great which really helps us have fun but it was also great to work with an optimistic and welcoming ski resort. They certainly realized the effects have using their facilities for a summer event and they were already talking about having us back anytime. Without any modifications, hassles or training we used their quad chairlift to upload all of our hang gliders right to the peak of the mountain (at 6,800'asl) and were a 5 minute level walk from the furthest launch (there are at least five launch slots we could have used and we used the one that was pretty much the furthest away). This was the first time they have fired up this lift in the summer season.

The smoke from the forest fires that are coming up from the States brought us smokie skies but we went up anyways. We were just having such a good time riding the chairlifts up the mountain...it was kind of a novelty.

We called an XC task that kept us close to the LZ since it was the last day. I think we were a little too positive after the previous two days of XC as only Barry made it to the first turnpoint 11km down the valley...and he made it most of the way back.

But we called two tasks in one....we also threw in a spot landing contest in the goal field that counted in the final standings (it is an HPAC Class C after all) so everyone had a task to do, even if they sunk out (which all but six did).

Here is the GAP scoring from Monday's XC task:

Another great day at Sun Peaks. The winds were a bit stronger and more from the East today. It brought us lots of lee-side lift as we fly the valley just to the West of launch. I had one great lee-side climb 5km from launch that took me higher than I ever was yesterday and faster than any climb but I did a dumb move and went back to the start to take a late start thinking the day was better than yesterday and we wouldn't have a problem making goal...that was my last climb and I landed 15km down the valley.

So not great for me but great for mant others. A few flew further than yesterday but noone made goal.

Here are the scores so far - Ralph landed quite far and is still waiting for retrieve so I don't have his teams tracks yet.

Bernie was the fastest to goal but out-of-retirement comes Barry with an earlier start to help him win the day! And kudos to Ralph...first into goal but with his earlier start, it meant he was slower than the others - I think that is Ralph's best placing at a meet.

Rob said most of it...what a great day! I think we all had low expectations...after all, it is September and we haven't seen a cloud in the two days we've been here (the first day we just arrived, no flying) and the forecast wasn't for fantastic lift. But then I thought, this was the reason we came to Sun Peaks now - Jeff and I figured, when organizing this event, that we need to head a bit more north and launch higher...and Sun Peaks have it. We are launching from alpine meadow at about 6500'asl.

It's hard to believe we undercalled yesterday. I didn't think we'd be able to fly that far...and Bernie won the day doing it in 1h06! I think we are going to push it and go further today - possibly to Clearwater which is another 20km to the North from where we flew yesterday.

We have 17 pilots entered in the meet. The pilot meeting was at 9am at Ian's. Ralph had the turn points down loaded for me so I could sleep in (I had a long day yesterday) We were able to drive up to the chair lift to unload our gliders. Not many of us had done this before so we all stood around for a bit woundering what to do. We loaded two gliders on the chair lift and two pilot's road up with there gliders. It was very cool riding up the chair lifts with your glider. Very relaxing, fun ride up the mountain.

Once at the top we wandered around and checked out the launch area's. Once we were all set up we sat around as conditions wern't looking great. Scott wanted a 50km out and return but Brett felt the wind would be too much for what we thought would be weak lift. We deceided on a 54km down wind task to Dunn lake. Ralph got things started by launching first at about 2:15 after we pushed the launch window back. Christine and Dave Wagner joined him while the rest of the feild watched them scratch around for a bit. Once they started to climb the rest of the feild followed. We were able to climb up to 9000' over launch. I was a little over 8000' when I headed out on course. There was plenty of lift around, some strong some week but plenty to stay in the air. I had a hard time getting through 5000' and when I did was not able to get back over 6000'. At 40km out I was down to 3000' and found some 0 just waiting for something to come through to gain enough height to make goal. When another pilot joined me I lost my focus and we both landed.

Waypoints for the Sun Peaks meet are now up here

Register here

Here's a bit of info you need to know for Sun Peaks.

We have to meet at 9AM on Saturday morning at Ian's B&B (Sun Valley B&B) to meet with the mountain folks, sign waivers and pay. We'll be taking the chairlifts up each day, no vehicles allowed, and the fee for that is $10/day.

We also have to start uploading at 10:30 each morning. It'll take some time to get us all up there so even though it seems early, I don't think we'll be sitting around too long up there. So we'll be making an early decision as to whether Sun Peaks will be suitable for the day or if we will have to venture elsewhere.

Here is the Google Earth file. It shows the terrain, waypoints and goal field in 3D.

Just download this file and open it in Google Earth. You can see all the Dowsett Events in Google Earth in this file

Meet headquarters will be at the Sun Valley B&B (owned by Ian McArthur, hang glider pilot): Cell # is 1-250-574-1178 if you need to reach me. My toll free at the B & B is 1-877-839-2060. It will also be close to the main LZ we'll be using. They have a number of Queen beds and will also have some tent and RV camping spots. Call for details.
http://www.sunvalleybandb.com/

If you want something in the Sun Peaks resort call Bear Country - they represent the broadest selection of vacation accomodations here at Sun Peaks. You can reach them at 1-800-811-4588. Talk to Melissa and tell her Ian from Sun Valley B & B suggested you call.