On Saturday, November 21, 2020 at 5:59:44 PM UTC-7, AS wrote:
On Saturday, November 21, 2020 at 11:03:14 AM UTC-5, Ted Frost wrote:
On Sunday, December 29, 2019 at 11:11:27 AM UTC-7, Airport Bum wrote:
So, it is raining outside and I haven't been soaring in a long time, so naturally I am thinking about soaring next season.... I'll bet I am not the only one.

The big plan is a soaring safari to the Western US next season. I may be able to take as long as 2+ months. I am looking for ideas for unique/new/underflown as well as classic soaring sites to try. And maybe other folk would like to hear ideas for such sites also, hence this post.

I fly a self-launcher (ASH-26E) so I don't need a towplane, but I do like the company (and buddy system) of other soaring pilots. I like to camp on the airfield in my simple truck camper (nice to have an electric power hookup). I will need to find a shower at least every few days, haha.

I would like to assemble a long list of possible sites, I'll be watching the weather and soaring conditions and deciding where to go based on what looks good at the time. And where fun folk and flying might be.

Here is where I have been on previous soaring trips, all of which were great fun and are on my do-again list:

Parowan Utah
Moriarty New Mexico
Montrose Colorado
Salida Colorado (although field elevation at 7500 ft is at, and on hot days above, my climb performance limits)
King Mountain Idaho (open next year, I hope)
Most of the Southern California desert sites, but many years ago....

Places that I have heard are great and want to try some day:

Ely Nevada
Tonopah Nevada
Nephi Utah
Boulder Colorado
Rifle Colorado
Logan Utah
Mackay Idaho
Kingman Arizona (hello Paul!)

Please post comments on these sites and primarily more site ideas, as well as info on any camps or meets you know about that might not make it into the SSA calendar. Or PM me if you don't want broad publication of these camps/meets, understandable. Include as much detail as you can! Thanks!

Cheers,
Jim J6
Having been a member of the Soaring Society of Boulder CO for 28yrs, I highly recommend that site! I also recommend Eagle Soaring airfield in Steamboat Springs CO, my current club. The Park mountain range is nearby and provides good lift during the May-September soaring season.
Ted Frost


Eagle Soaring airfield in Steamboat Springs CO
Winch and self-launch only? No aerotowing or can that be arranged if needed?

Uli
'AS'
Correct, we use a winch which usually allows us to achieve almost 2,000'agl.. No towing available yet, though one of our members has indicated an interest in using his C182 for that purpose. Field elevation of 6,700'msl should work for your aircraft. As you can see from the photos on the Steamboat Springs Soaring Assn. (SSSA) website http://soarsteamboat.org, it's a beautiful setting with lots of good XC potential nearby.