US'16 0615 - Wind! (PotM, Inspo), Alpine Loop

As we had already had feared yesterday evening, today has been totally blown out; there has even been a wind advisory for the region.
We left early in the morning for the Point, where a few Hangies and Mini Wings were flying. But with a 'normal' glider, TO from the TOP was impossible. So we tried to lauch from the bottom of the hill and kite our wings up. But very contrary to normal conditions here (steady, smooth winds), todays conditions have been very switchy: unsteady, turbulent winds: Andy flew the mini wing for a couple of minutes, as did Mike (todays guide) his normal wing; I just groundhandled a little. But Andy and Mike didnt like the conditions at all and even the hangies disappeard (=landed) pretty quickly - a sure sign that the conditions were unsuitable...

PotM: Mike kiting up his glider

So after breakfast Mike recommended we'd drive the 'Alpin Loop', a senic road leading through the Wasatch mountains - and scenic it was.

Tibble Fork Reservoir

Silver Lake; Mt Timpanogas (left)

(Silver Lake)

Inspo: Pano looking West: West Mtn, Utah lake, Lake Mtn

The trip was finished at Inspo (or 'Inspiration Point'), a launch site for big mountain XC-flights (but again way too windy).