Cinco

The day started looking beautiful, and ended overcast and cool. Who knew?

The clouds parted and it sunned up as we left the hotel but low clouds and high clouds as well served to slow down the day from then on.

Cloud enveloped launch and we watched as others hiked up the steep hill, some using the horse to carry their gliders up. 

We had nice pow wow with the groups and talked about the day ahead. 

Rob Sporrer talking with Koyoko. 

Eventually we launched and it was stronger than expected, with towering cumulus  behind us encroaching our buffer zone and starting to rain.

We wisely flew away from the cu-nim (cumulonimbus) cloud and positioned ourselves at the edge of the valley ready to cross and fly in safer air. 

The air was choked with smoke at times from the burning fields below, and they sky grew dark as well from overcast conditions much of the time. 

Rob on glide 

The groups more or less came together at times and scattered at others. In the end we flew for several hours (3) and landed at Vitoria to the excited fans living there. Brian flew Tom today on his new tandem that is know affectionately as the bumble-bee in fine form and kept of the deck for hours in some patient and challenging conditions. Props!  All my group had nice flights with two out of the four landing with me in Vitoria. Nice!

We were picked up right as I finished packing and were whisked into town where a mango/pineapple smoothie settled my stomach until dinner. After a shower and washing and hanging up some clothes, I had 30 minutes to visit by the pool. It was my turn to have a discussion and I chose to talk about hydration before dinner.

Dinner started with our favorite soup and finished with grilled chicken and mushroom sauce. The veggies were fresh and not over-cooked, with a tasty rice as well. Yum. Ali, our private chef is doing great work. We are loving it. Thanks Ali!

I'm off to bed early tonight. Ready for anything tomorrow!

Cheers,

Marty

Cuatro

Today dawned bright and I couldn't help but think it would be a great day. 

Everyone slept in since the comp was over and the energy level at the breakfast table was high. 

We got to launch first, set up and admired the beautiful sky and clouds. With only 40 or so other free flyers on launch we had plenty of room and nobody telling us we only have 3 minutes to launch. Ahhhhh. 

I was the only guide flying tandem today. I took Todd (from my group) with me for a 3 hour tour, and Jon, Ioan and Gareth made the whole tour too. Chris landed in Roldanillo. We stayed together pretty well and it wasn't until Roldanillo that things changed and became necessarily more patient. As chris packed up we flew to Zarsal then La Vatorial and tried to make it back to La Union. We all landed short but it was all good. It was a beautiful spot to land and we landed together.

We hopped into a truck like this for a quick ride to the main road. Not bad!

Ioan, me, Todd and Garreth.

Rob gave a great presentation tonight followed by dinner and then cake to celebrate Farmer's birthday. 

Tomorrow I give roll call and present before dinner. 

It's late so I'm off!

Ciao,

Marty

Tres

The day started dark with interesting cloud layers. Fortunately I'm able to remain hopeful and optimistic regardless of what the day starts out like here. It seems that knowing a lot about the weather isn't as much of an asset as one might think. 

5am look out the window. 

This was yet another early day, in order to get to the take off area ahead of the comp. 

We ate at 6:30 and left by 7:15 with our gear loaded into the trucks. Fresh pineapple, banana and some other fresh fruit were we the perfect compliment to the granola like mixturee 

We rolled through town as the sky opened up a little, only to shade and make our early arrival up top less helpful than planned. Still, it was the last day of the comp and we all got off as soon as we could, so that part went well. 

Ioan getting ready

Rather weak conditions made it tough on the pilots for a solid 20 minutes at first, but eventually most of the pilots made it up to cloud, though one or two made their way to an early yet safe landing below, including the pilot who flew the farthest the day before. 

Keawe, who won the day yesterday. 

We made a move south to the crossing I call the "jumping off spot" that separates us from Roldanillo where we waited patiently for an hour or so for conditions to improve. The comp started and they blasted by us, prompting us to double back to the north to stay out of their way. 

We flew back to La Union, then waited a bit more, before finally charging across the valley, thankfully finding good climbs for the pilots following the guides.

Collin flew tandem with me yesterday and flew with Matt's group today so he could fly with his dad. He and his dad had outstanding flight today. 

In the end, all the pilots who crossed the valley were able to stay up, fly to La Vitoria and then land back at the soccer field in La Union together. All but one of the pilots in my group made the 3+ hour trip and were all smiles upon landing. 

Chipri was there to pick us all up and take us to town, where we had 1/2 roasted chicken each and I even split a mango/ banana smoothie with Ioan. 

A short ride to he hotel later, I was charging electronics, replacing batteries and taking a shower to try and cool off as well as clean up. Boy that was nice. 

Raindrops in the pool. 

As if on cue, the sky grew dark and dumped rain on the hotel for 10-15 minutes, just as we have enjoyed a thunderstorm nearly every day across the valley in full view of the dining area. 

Brian gave a nice talk from 6-7pm and promptly after, dinner was served. 

It was just right, a lentil like soup to start and pork loins with some sort of potatoe and green veggie mash. 

Even a tirimisu style dessert was served. Of course I wasted nothing. 

I fly tandem with Todd tomorrow who had a short flight today. This should help him put the pieces together and have longer flights. 

Sueños dulces. 

(Sweet dreams)

Marty

Dos

Today was a great day. Everyone flew, despite another hiccup at launch with the comp going on, we all took to the air and many gaggled together, playing at cloud base while waiting for it to raise enough to make the big canyon crossing towards Roldonillo. 

Colin on my tandem

Eventually we made the glide across and gathered on the other side, regrouping and climbing back up to the clouds. We wanted to leave the mountains and get started on the flats (the valley floor) to cross to the other side, namely the city Zarsal and beyond. The tandems all shot out front searching for the next climb finding a good one just past the city center of Roldanillo. 

The new tandem is wonderful. 

Eventually high clouds rolled over and shut down the lift. The tandem pilots; Rob, Brian, Matt and I each took a direction to search but it would ground all of us but one. I landed first, just outside the city in lush pasture land with my passenger Colin. 

Chris, also in my group, landied next to Colin and me. Shortly after that Matt landed with Colin's dad, Tom, about a mile away. Rob took his tandem farther towards the middle of the valley but also landed. Brad was busy talking on his radio to his group when his solo comp wing got a stuck tip (or cravatte as it is called) following a wingtip fold. He couldn't get the tip unstuck after multiple attempted to spin it and shake it free and landed as a result, uneventfully. At this point only Brian and his passenger Koyoko were still in the air acting as a guide for the remaining few pilots. Eventuality the others landed one by one. Brian landed his tandem leaving only one lone pilot left, Keawa who flew well beyond the next town of La Vitoria. Well done! 

We only waited a few minutes before being picked up. Nice!

We had a great talk led by Matt and dinner started with a lovely soup. 

I thought it looked like a swirling thermal, not surprisingly. 

Tomorrow is the last day of the local competition so we hope to have the launch back to ourselves soon after. 

Brian was the star guide of the day! And props to Brian's group member Keawa who had the flight of the day. 

Hasta mañana

Marty

Uno (one)

The first day was off to a great start complete with yummy omelettes and fresh juice. All things considered, we did well leaving the hotel 15 minutes late. 

At launch, we arrived in two groups, and the first was allowed to pass the bouncer at the stairs thanks to our wrist bands that allowed us to launch ahead of the competition that is over in 3 days. The second group was denied access and it took 15 minutes to sort it all out. 

The takeoff area

In the end, everyone flew and eventually landed safely. There was a crosswind from the north that created some strong turbulence near the house thermal, but everyone glided through the gauntlet and most got up, up and away, a few got caught in strong wind and sink, landing out front uneventfully. It was a strong day, the strongest I've seen so far here. All the Eagle tandems were in the air today, and will likely all be flying again tomorrow to help those needing a little extra help. 

I flew tandem and had a nice flight, making it back to La Union with my passenger John landing near, but not in, the usual soccer stadium. We hiked out to the road thanks to our local guides who greeted is with smiles and questions as we packed up. 

We said our goodbyes and I will keep this field in mind for some other day. The boy and girl were very nice and at times walked arm in arm together. Very sweet. 

Dinner was delicious, and our private chef made us this lovely appetizer of purveyed vegetables with a hint of heat in it with potatoes and tiny hard boiled eggs. The main meal was pork in a yummy sauce and another blended veggie concoction with rice. Desert was a lightweight pudding that had hints of citrus  and a strawberry on top. Yum!

Colin and Tom (son and father) are both going tandem tomorrow with Matt "farmer" Beechinoor and me. Should be a blast!

Tomorrow we are eating at 6:30 am and leaving the hotel by 7:15. 

I'm watching the super bowl on Colombian tv as I type this and it is reminiscent of last year doing the same thing. The Seahawks look great and it is fun to think of my home state of Washington and remember the good old days there. I'm sure my dad is watching the game too. Miss you dad! Go Seahawks. Score right now is 24-14 Hawks leading. 

I hope all is very well wherever this finds you. Buenos noches. 

Marty

Casi (almost)

Our first meal was downtown with Chip Hildebrand and Brad Gunnucio. The 1/2 chicken was delicious and it was great to reunite with friends. Chip said he flew over 140+ hours in 42 flights over a 2 months period. That guy is all smiles. 

The days have been relaxed yet productive in preparation for the first group this Saturday night. 

There is yet another comp going on here and many pilots from the world championships are still here to attend, including Bradley.   I saw 2 poor souls land right I front of the hotel today as the rest of the armada skied out and raced on. I haven't flown yet, as it is a great chance to prep and rest up for the busy weeks ahead. 

Pyro-cumulus cloud from a burning sugar cane field. 

Walking to town takes about 8 minutes and is all downhill from the hotel. We were carrying bottled water back each day until yesterday, when Brian and Rob ordered several 5gal bottles and stands so we can refill out bottles here. Nice. 

Found this beautiful butterfly (sleeping). 

We heard a loud boom near town and the power went out to the hotel around 4:30pm. Brian and I were cleaning out the solar showers (no hot water in the rooms) and it turns out that the water is pumped with electricity. No power = no rinsing. We let the bleach solution soak the vinyl showers in the tub and decided to take a dip in the pool until the power was restored. Ahhhhhhh. 

An hour later, still no power. Dinner time was drawing near when we got a text from Rob. He was in town at a bakery, enjoying a guanama smoothie while using the wifi and charging all his electronics. We took the hint, headed to town with cords in hand and grabbed another 1/2 chicken dinner before ordering a smoothie to hang out and 'recharge' with Rob. 

Since all Brian and I have left to do is rinse the showers, we are thinking of flying tomorrow to rev up for the following day with clients. Brian flew for a few hours yesterday and figured out the routine to get to the launch. It goes like this:  6am Tuk Tuk to La Union. La Union bus to Roldanillo. 8am (or 9am if it doesn't show up) Roldanillo shuttle bus to launch. Whew!  

The humidity is comfortable, the sun, intense. It's hot during the day, but the wind blows over the mountain in the late afternoon and it is fabulous. Tomorrow I will fly with my friends and fly for fun. I hope to visit the clouds and drink in the clean fresh air at cloud base. What a divine treat!

Ciao para ahora. 

Salúd!

Marty

Lluvia (rain)

Brian Howell and I made it to the shuttle early and were able to load all our huge bags before the first sprinkles fell. As we rolled away, it was hard to believe we finally made it and would be in Colombia tomorrow morning. 

It has been.a year since we made the same journey, only this time we both know more of what to expect, and it makes us all the more exited to be there again.

Carmen, Mia and Darla were all on hand for hugs and kisses as were Sammy and Rosie. I will miss them all, and already look forward to our reunion in 6 weeks. Brian's girlfriend Kelly was kind enough to drop us at the shuttle and see us off. 

Traffic was slow at times but we made it to LAX in good time. Our shuttle van did fold a Mercedes car door forward as the person in the car didn't look to see that we were driving in close proximity first. Oops. The police were called after the finger pointing started and info was eventually exchanged, allowing us to make our final drop at Copa airlines (in about 10 min) where we were to meet Alicia, our chef for the trip, a relative of Marité, (Rob Sporrer's wife). Rob, who owns and operates Eagle Paragliding had to leave Marité and their newborn daughter Maya home this time as she is less than a month old. Rob will use the break between tour 2 and 3 to return home and reunite his new family. 

The flight was only 5 or 6 hours but it was an overnight flight and it was packed. I didn't sleep much due to my middle seat and large passenger next to me. Still I was pleased with my movie choice "Remember The Titans."   Denzel always delivers. The food was good too, and I enjoyed a complimentary rum and Coke, but they really cranked up the heat and I was wishing I hadn't ingested the calories that seemed to only make me feel warmer still. Whew. 

We all met up after landing in Panama and had a coffee after the short walk to or connecting gate. Really an effortless trip thus far. Nice. 

I have a brand new UP K2-3 tandem and my trusty Icepeak 6 to fly. Both should be ideal for the light conditions and long days in the saddle. 

Gratitude is the dominant feeling for me on this trip.  I can't thank my wife and kids enough for this opportunity. It won't be easy for them while I'm gone but they are letting me go nonetheless and I feel truly thankful and happy. 

I'm now on the connecting flight from panama to Cali, Colombia, and as expected the skies look perfect. 

We should meet Rob there and he has shuttle arranged to wisk us away to our small town near the now famous Roldanillo, where this years' world paragliding chamionships were held In the 12 days before our arrival. I've been so busy getting ready, I didn't take time to follow the whole race. We started strong and I can only hope we finished strong too. 

The window seat has breathtaking views.  Love it!

I will try to post as much as I can.  This one is long. I'm sure there will be shorter ones too. 

Hasta luego,

Marty