Bob Peloquin
Sunday, 4/30/06
The Grade

The Grade was really pumping this afternoon, but the air wasn't what got my heart racing.  On the hike up I met a cute cuddly little rattlesnake!  The little bugger was startled by my arrival, so he gave a half assed attempt to strike, then shook his tail and slithered away.  It's amazing how far you can jump with a good shot of adrenaline.  I found the remainder of the climb to launch to be very quick.

The flying was a fun, but a very active mix of thermals and ridge lift.  Climbs to cloud base were abundant and strong, at times hard to get away from.

Today's excitement reminded me of how I respond when people say, "Paragliding must be very dangerous." I say, "It's the trip to launch that's dangerous."  Becareful out there!