I got the opportunity yesterday to take an early morning flight in parts of the southern task area of the contest and take a few pix to share. Think about 40 plus gliders flying over the terrain that you see in this post.
Ready to Taxi and Take-off
We took off to the north turned west here, then south east, nice farmland.
We are headed toward Zion Canyon. The geology of the Zion and Kolab canyons area included 9 formations that together represent 150 million years of Mesozoic sedimentation. At various periods in that time, warm, shallow seas, streams, ponds and lakes, vast deserts and dry near-shore environments covered the area. Uplift, associated with the creation of the Colorado Plateaus lifted the region 10,000 feet starting 13 million years ago.
Approaching Zion
Toward Zion Canyon
The spectacular cliffs of Zion National Park rise to the east carved in pink and white Navajo Sandstone. 2 Jurassic Rock units, the Kayenta and Navajo are responsible for much of Zion’s scenic beauty. About 2000 ft. thick
and forming the massive walls and stolid towers of Zion Canyon, the Navajo sandstone accumulated on a dune covered desert. the diagonal layers as well as its rounded, frosted sand grains and wind formed ripple marks are relics of the dunes. A third component in shaping Zion Canyon is the northern fork of the Virgin River. The last time we were here for a contest we visited the canyon from below and hiked thru the narrow chasm of the Virgin River, a splendid trip.
Zion area
Zion again
Zion Virgin River
Can you see the Virgin River?
Five Fingers area named because at a distance it looks like 5 fingers sticking up over the Hurricane Cliffs.
Turning back to the northwest we fly over the Cedar Breaks National Monument that I discussed in a post earlier.
Cedar Breaks from above
This is only a small portion of the tasking area. Parowan airport is just below 6000 ft. Brian Head is probably the highest elevation, 11,400 feet. We are flying in the Maul about 1000 feet over this intimidating terrain. Typically the pilots are flying at around 16, 000 ft, give or take, to feel comfortable traversing the terrain. They are not allowed to exceed 17,500 because of commercial aviation. All are equipped with O2.
The contest is winding down: tomorrow is the last day. Weather looks favorable for both remaining competition days. It has been extremely windy and really high winds have been the only reason for the 3 days that were called off. It is dry and like Colorado, with the dry conditions and wind, ripe for wild fires.
Next trip….Uvalde, Texas and the World Gliding Championships. Sam is not competing, but we are both involved as volunteers.
