Jan 30 Sea to Sky

Fedja · Post by **Fedja** » Mon Feb 02, 2015 5:11 pm

I scouted out this launch during a hike back in December. It's a 1:15-1:30hr hike from the top of the Sea to Sky gondola along the Al's Habrich Ridge trail. Facing SW-ish. Very nice launch, but you may have to fly through a bit of a "gate" between two tree tops right after take-off. It's pretty wide though, not a problem, but good launching skills are required. Several landing options at the base or in town.

It was only a sled ride on an overcast day but much fun to fly a new mountain. I flew a 23m Ozone Ultralite (original) which has a crappy glide ratio and made it well above the 3rd peak of Chief, then buzzed peaks 3, 2 and 1 and headed for the soccer fields in town behind McDonalds and got there with tons of height to spare. The wind was light southerly inflow.

If you decide to give it a try, beware of the Squamish winds. The flight path takes you over the venturi between the Chief and the main ridge. I personally wouldn't fly this in anything but light or no wind conditions.

Only a few photos taken from afar with plenty of zoom.

stemalot · Post by **stemalot** » Tue Feb 03, 2015 2:20 pm

Hi Fedja,

Do you remember the approx. elevation you took off from?

With the new gondola infrastructure, I am hoping it would give easier access to potential launch site(s).

Steven

Claudia · Post by **Claudia** » Tue Feb 03, 2015 9:06 pm

Sweet!
I hiked up there last fall to where I think you launched from ... and pondering the 'gate trees'

Fedja · Post by **Fedja** » Tue Feb 03, 2015 9:27 pm

Yes. Just over 1200m and landing at the sea level - sweet! The gondola takes you to 885m, so not a huge elevation gain. It's a very nice hike.

Fedja · Post by **Fedja** » Tue Feb 03, 2015 9:31 pm

Claudia, the wing goes well above the tree tops, you just have to make sure you don't do a koala hug. The top pic shows the launch.