Applegater., July 01, 2009, Page 13, Image 13

Applegater Summer 2009 13
33rd Annual
Starthistle fly-in
Photos clockwise from top left:
BY RUTH AUSTIN
— Tandem launch, Woodrat Mountain during Starthistle 2009
This was the 33rd year
for the local paragliding and
hangliding event, the Starthistle
Fly-in. It was a colorful, fun event
with perfect weather at the end of
May, the 23rd through 25th, and
attracted approximately 120 pilots
from several states and British
Columbia. The theme this year
was “The Grapes of wRATh,” with
many pilots dressing in author
John Steinbeck’s era clothing, as
they made their landings near
viewers at the local winery patios
of LongSword and Fiasco.
The launch site at Woodrat
Mountain (the name of WoodRAT being used by the
event planners for the theme) was a busy location -
two thousand feet above the Hunter pastures, and
overlooking Highway 238. From this flying off-spot,
paragliders and hangliders took off to enjoy flights as
the thermal winds kicked up along the cliffs in the
afternoon hours. Woodrat is known as one of the
premier launching areas in the states.
Weekend events included cross-country flights
to Ashland, a kiting contest, and a bag drop for
accuracy. The kiting competition, refereed by Bill
Kaelin of the Applegate, was a challenging contest,
with winners being the last three remaining pilots
in the air above a landing zone. Although their
wings could touch, they could not physically come
in contact. At the kiting event, no local area pilots
were in the top three winners. It was a game of skill
— Grapes of wRATh, Starthistle 2009 art theme.
— The final three wings in the air as the Paraglider Kiting Competition at
LongSword Vineyards nears its end.
— Summer Barham, Ashland paraglider pilot, aggressively departs
Woodrat Mountain west launch. Summer’s parents, Larry and Blythe
Barham, have also taken up paragliding and flew in Starthistle 2009.
Photos by Don Fitch. Artwork by Jim Tibbs.
with luck playing a part. An awards ceremony and
barbeque was held at Cantrall-Buckley Park where
many pilots camped.
Local paragliders included Randy Bogardus,
Paul Murdoch, president of the local Paragliding
chapter, and Norm Young, among others.
When visiting Woodrat several years ago, it
could be seen that paragliding attracts a wide range
of folks, young and old, from all professions and
backgrounds. It includes some women pilots. A
local pilot tells me that the thrill of soaring can be
“an addiction”—it gets in your system.
As an added bonus, most of the landings were
free of starthistle!
Ruth Austin
541-899-7476
CATERPILLAR
FROM PAGE 12
Consider our July Exploring
Nature Camp this summer
for ages 5-11 years old.
FOREST ADVENTURERS
Four days of exploring our forest
habitat and the plants and animals that
live there. Lots of fun activities, hiking,
art, games and journaling.
When
Week of July 13,
Monday through Thursday
Time:
9:00 am to 1:30 pm
Location: Parkside Elementary
Call or e-mail for enrollment form or for
more information:
Vanessa 541-621-627
butterflyvlm@hotmail.com
Linda 541-479-3243
lindamullens@msn.com_
Linda Mullens • 541-479-3243