Slide Mountain
MAP: Click here (This takes time)
RATED: Hang 4 / P2 Paragliding
SLIDE MOUNTAIN PEAK ELEVATION: 9694 Feet
LAUNCH ELEVATION: 8200 Feet
VALLEY ELEVATION: 5100 Feet
LANDING ELEVATION: 8700 Feet
LAUNCH DIRECTIONS: East, S. East, and N. East
SITE DESCRIPTION: High Sierra mountain cross-country.
Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter
Best Winds: East 3-8 knots
Typical day: Thermal cycles up takeoff in morning, west winds over back start blowing sometime in afternoon.
ROAD TO TOP: Paved 2 WD, plowed in winter for ski area.
SETUP AREA TERRAIN: Public Highway turnout. About 25 gliders can set up on pavement. Paragliders use large flat pad above.
PROTOCOL: We are being watched closely by the Highway Patrol. The following protocol must be adhered to or we will lose the site.
1. Both lanes of traffic must be kept clear during ski area operation.
2. One lane of traffic must be kept open at all times when the ski area is closed down. Nothing should go over the double yellow line. Nothing!
3. An open area allowing access to launches must be kept clear. See attached diagram for details.
LAUNCHES AND OBSTRUCTIONS: You must climb over a guardrail for all launches.
Hook in and hang check, before you go over the guardrail. Easiest way is nose up, control bar over, step foreword, nose down, harness over. The further you step over the better. Watch the locals.
East Launch - Open, steep, about 10 foot run, with loose rocks.
SE Launch - Slightly restricted on the sides with trees, very steep, long run with loose rocks.
NE Launch - Steep, some bushes and trees, long run with loose rocks.
Paragliders go past the Hang Glider site and launch from the large flat dirt pad above. Launches here can be tricky in variable conditions.
LANDING ZONES: Mount Rose Meadow:
LZ "1" MOUNT ROSE MEADOW: About 3 miles WSW of takeoff. 11,000-foot min. to cross over Slide peak to meadow in light winds.
SIZE: Large meadow. Land on grass near highway.
APPROACHES: Normally semi parallel with highway. South approach is downhill and not recommended.
DANGERS: Winds are often light and variable. Density altitude is extremely high. Over or undershooting grassy area near road is sloping terrain and large rocks.
PROTOCOL: Do not make approaches over highway.
Areas below are emergency landings only:
LZ "2" Little Washoe: South of little Washoe Lake and north of Bellevue exit.
Little Washoe is 6 to 1 glide from the top of the knolls. Alternate areas sometimes available. Ask locals for current areas open. Do not land where there is cattle or horses. Ask shop or locals about the landing areas. Landowners have and will give $150 tickets for landing in the cattle fields.
LZ "3" Scripps: opens only July through January after the birds have nested. End of long dirt road. Always close gate even if it was open when you get there.
PROTOCOL: Do not land in pasture with livestock. Do not make approaches over freeway. Always close gates. No not climb over fences. This area will be completely closed unless we obey these rules!
