Wingspan34's blog
My Dog Went Flying - Almost
Thu Mar 13, 2008 10:04 am
[  Mood: Amused ][  Currently: Reading Phatomflier's blog ]
In the course of reading Phantomflier's Blog about his resent and tricky winter launch, I wrote up and posted the following true story that happened just yesterday (3/12) in response. It seemed like maybe it deserved it's very own entry in my blog . Enjoy.
* * * * *
This old pilot went up to the local (Hammondsport, NY) launch yesterday and it was blowing straight in - but also fast as all get out (20+ mph with gusts up to 30). Rather than think it might get good, eventually, I didn't even put the glider on the rack.  
My goal? I just wanted to see what my Rav4 could handle by way of the possible snow drifts on the (still snow covered) dive into launch. Better to actually know I can drive in since I'd rather not have to walk in the 1/8 mile. That is, . . . if a good day does come along before the snow melts.
Well, in the course of this little adventure I almost had my own not quite launch disaster!
To begin -
Last week we had some freezing rain and sleet fall on top of the existing snow base. It then got cold again and snowed a bit more. Well, up on the H-Port (slot) launches, the snow has been blown away leaving the bare, hard, very slick icy layer.
(BTW - The launches at H-Port are like the Ellen-V road launch, but natural and with no guard rail or highway behind. In other words, pretty flat to start, but then a quick, steep drop off.)
The Scary Part -
Well, my dog was with me, and since there was typical snow in most places, he was running around in normal control, until, . . .!
Well, he decided to run right up to launch and, . . . hit the bare icy layer and, . . . just kept going   . . . over the edge!!!!
Luckily he didn't go too far down the slope before stopping at some soft exposed brush. And he was completely fine also, so no need for anyone to worry.
Oddly, he tried to come back up the same way he went down and in so doing was trying to scramble back up the icy lip of launch. His feets was a movin' but he wasn't gettin' no where - fast! 
I had to (carefully!) walk to one side of the icy launch to get him to come to me sideways as opposed to straight up the slickest part of launch.
The Moral of the Story -
Like Phantom, perhaps my dog should have briefed his wire (or, in this case, Leash) crew before attempting to (not) launch! 
Otherwise, spring is not too far away!  
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phantomflier
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Joined: 15 Nov 2006
Posts: 845
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 Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2008 10:50 am Post subject: |
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Wingspan, it appears both your dog and I have nine lives! Poor thing!!! I wonder what was going thru his mind when he hit that ice and started for the edge!!! probably the same as I was thinking......"HOLY DOG TURDS" I am so glad he's(she's) ok. My big, clumbsy dog can hardly handle the wood floors, let alone ice!!
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HangDiver
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Joined: 06 Nov 2007
Posts: 2074
Location: Salida, Villa Grove, Colorado
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Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2008 11:19 am Post subject: |
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Wing,
Every year there's a bunch of us that hike up James Peak with our skis and our dogs in July!. James Peak is about an hour from the house and is up over 14,000ft along the Colorado continental divide. We go in July because it's about the only time of the year that the snow fields won't avalanche. We climb up to the peak and ski down 2000 feet to the bottom of the snow field, all the dogs running after us - what a blast. I think the dogs have more fun than we do. When we reach the bottom all the dogs and skiers have lunch on the green grass at the lake at the bottom.
Rich
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