Apparently it goes on for 300 miles and it blows 20mph 24/7

Talk about anything hang gliding.

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OP
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Apparently it goes on for 300 miles and it blows 20mph 24/7

Post by OP »

2400' ridge extends for what seems to be 300 miles.

For most of it there is a road near the coast line. For some of it there is a road that follows the top as well.

Who wants to go?

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Last edited by OP on Sat Oct 09, 2010 7:06 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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skygeek AKA Seabass
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Post by skygeek AKA Seabass »

Where is it?
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Post by OP »

It's not in Africa. But while we are talking about africa... dude... look at africa.

Imagine going on a several hundred mile, multi-day, hang gliding adventure. Soar all day, camp at night bring sleeping bag. Would this even be possible?

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Post by greblo »

Way to go Orion, keep em guessing.
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Tom C
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Post by Tom C »

Could it be Chile? Specifically, in the neighborhood of Iquique?

Looks like there might even be places to land.
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Post by OP »

Tom got it.

Iquique.

http://vimeo.com/13710141
http://vimeo.com/5604035
It is hard to find a video of the place that doesn't have euro-trash para gliding techno.
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Ridge Soaring closer to home

Post by Steve90266 »

OK OP,

Would you settle for 10 miles of 200 ft cliff ridge soaring, road access and margaritas?

You have to have some guts to get there, though.
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Post by OP »

I'd go to mexico.

Just would like to enter the country in the AM and make it to La Salinas quick.


Next time you go invite me. I'll split the fuel/insurance etc.
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Post by eriklarabie »

Chile you say? I have a short pack Falcon, a couple weeks vacation, and a brand new passport...
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Post by OP »

Let's GO!

There are several para gliding companies which arrange airport pickup, hotel, and lots of flying. We need find one which can haul hang gliders.

But there is a catch, I can't go to Chile without bagging Los Ojos. The worlds tallest volcano is a half-day drive from Iquique. It's 22,600, just a few hundred feet shorter than Aconcagua.
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Iquique Trips

Post by frosty »

A friend of mine, Todd Weigand, who is a paragliding instructor, organizes several trips to Iquique each year. I'm sure he could hook you up with something to carry your hang gliders - maybe a pack mule :)

http://www.paraglidingtrips.com/iquique/tour.html
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Post by OP »

I have been reading more. Paragliders routinely make the 120 mile transit between Iquique and Tocopilla. They fly to Tocopilla in one day over the course of around 7 hours. To fly back one simply walks 30 feet up the 3000 foot hill, benches up and flys back to Iquique.

So if paragliders do it in 7 hours. that would mean they average 17 mph.

Thus it would be more than possible to do the entire 240mile down and back in one day on a hang glider. Either averaging 34mph or using a slightly longer day. If you can't make it and land short, There is a road the entire way between the two cities.
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Post by Xander »

Thanks OP - this looks awesome. I would be interested if we planned a trip for this Winter.

-Alex
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Post by Groundhog »

Or, everyone could just drive 5 hours and fly Hurricane, UT.
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Post by OP »

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Post by OP »

***bump***

By popular demand. Plz share this with andy.
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Re: Iquique Trips

Post by OP »

I contacted this guy about the 2011 Iquequi trip.

He said that 4 HG pilots would justify the renting of a local driver + pick up with a ladder rack. + he is trying to find someone to act as a HG instructor to give better site walk throughs for us.

I'm one pilot. So only 3 more to go.

http://www.paraglidingtrips.com/iquique/



Frosty wrote:A friend of mine, Todd Weigand, who is a paragliding instructor, organizes several trips to Iquique each year. I'm sure he could hook you up with something to carry your hang gliders - maybe a pack mule :)

http://www.paraglidingtrips.com/iquique/tour.html
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Post by Xander »

I would definitely consider it, Turtle. The site looks awesome, except for all the damn paragliders. How much does it cost to transport a glider down?
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Post by OP »

Update: They have recruited Kari Castle to be the HG trip leader. Depending on the skill level of the HG crew it will be easy to break away from the PG people to seek better HG conditions.

Read about Kari http://karicastle.com/

Alex: Let's go. There will be lots of flying, lots of landing at the beach back at the Hotel and lots of Chilean beer.

There are several airlines servicing the area. One of which is American Airlines or their partner. They charge 150$ for handling of gliders which are less than 70lbs.
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Post by addicted2climbing »

Hey OP,

That trip looks amazing and it happens to be a week after my 40th birthday...argh That would be a cool way to celebrate... I might be a low time H3 by then..wonder if it would be OK for a low time H3.

As for glider shipping I think it needs to be under 10 feet.

Marc
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