Rich Crowder Shoots BJ and I at Lookout

Fall is one of the best times to fly on the Front Range. As the winter months approach the jet stream moves south bringing with it cold fronts and snow storms. As the cold fronts move across the Rockies into the Plains the colder denser air displaces lighter warmer air forcing it up the slopes of the Front Range in an action called upslope. Depending on the strength of the front the flying is a pleasure, add a little thermal activity and it becomes bliss. El Nino has caused a general weakening of the systems this year compared to past seasons, but upslope flying can still be had on the right days.

In October I met up with BJ on a day that had potential, but the front stalled and the east wind turned south allowing us only quick sled rides to the LZ. A photographer named Rich Crowder came out to shoot BJ and got some shots of me too. Rich is an accomplished outdoor photographer how wanted to add some hang gliding stock to his portfolio. Although we didn't fly very long that day, Rich did an excellent job capturing what goes into flying, from the hike up to the set up. You would think we were going off on hundred mile record attempts from the mood, but alas we were on the ground in less than five minutes! Here are his shots:

BJ Hiking Up to the South Launch


Courtesy of Rich Crowder


Courtesy of Rich Crowder

Rigging


Courtesy of Rich Crowder


Courtesy of Rich Crowder


Courtesy of Rich Crowder


Courtesy of Rich Crowder


Courtesy of Rich Crowder


Courtesy of Rich Crowder


Courtesy of Rich Crowder


Courtesy of Rich Crowder

Preflighting


Courtesy of Rich Crowder


Courtesy of Rich Crowder


Courtesy of Rich Crowder

Scoping the Conditions


Courtesy of Rich Crowder


Courtesy of Rich Crowder

Hooking In


Courtesy of Rich Crowder


Courtesy of Rich Crowder


Courtesy of Rich Crowder


Courtesy of Rich Crowder


Courtesy of Rich Crowder


Courtesy of Rich Crowder

BJ Launching


Courtesy of Rich Crowder


Courtesy of Rich Crowder


Courtesy of Rich Crowder


Courtesy of Rich Crowder


Courtesy of Rich Crowder


Courtesy of Rich Crowder


Courtesy of Rich Crowder


Courtesy of Rich Crowder

Alex Launching


Courtesy of Rich Crowder


Courtesy of Rich Crowder


Courtesy of Rich Crowder


Courtesy of Rich Crowder


Courtesy of Rich Crowder


Courtesy of Rich Crowder


Courtesy of Rich Crowder


Courtesy of Rich Crowder

Breaking Down
(5 Minutes Later!)


Courtesy of Rich Crowder


Courtesy of Rich Crowder


Courtesy of Rich Crowder


Courtesy of Rich Crowder

Thanks Rich for the shots! You can see more of Rich's work on his blog here:

http://richcrowder.blogspot.com/

Or his website here:

http://www.richcrowder.com/