KING MOUNTAIN 2010

Edit: FINAL RESULTS

Open Class

1. Dave Gibson (also longest flight award at 119 miles)
2. Kurt Bynum
3. Mike Daley
4. Scot Huber
5. Jonathan Dietch
6. Ken Muscio

(13th Wayne)
(I stumbled in at 26th I think)


Rec. Class (must have flown less than 75 miles to date in a single flight)

1. Dugan Gravage
2. LJ Omara
3. Fred Clement

(I landed 7th in this class)

I heard rumor that Scot Huber accumulated the most miles in all six days combined and will be the leader in National Rankings for Open Distance XC in the USA (nice work Scot!)

Day 1 was a great day, altitudes to 18k were reached, light clouds forming out of the mouths of the valley creating a cloud street to Duboise, followed by a blue hole, then OD before Henry's. Kurt waited around for 2 hours for it to pass before landing at Sunset at Henry's Lake. (I made it to the cement plant today 48 miles)

Day 2 was challenging and turbulent along the ridge. A turn point was called and Dave Gibson made the 52 miles, returned to King and then went out for another 10 miles. (I had a short flight to Pass Creek)

Day 3 (today): Some mammata and light virga overhead, looks like a late start may provide for some clearing of skies and decent flights. Forecast is for great weather 82-90 for the remainder of the week. (edit) Good day for a late start. Joe Evens won the day on his single surface, flying low to minimize the strong headwind. That guy is an animal! (I made it to Mackay Airstrip bonus LZ finally getting past Pass Creek Canyon. I flew the last 2 miles on full VG, no turns and just cleared the fence at the end of the runway by 50', whew!)

The last 3 days of the event were equally great though I didn't keep up my log. This is the greatest event that I get the opportunity to fly. The features and weather in this part of Idaho are as beautiful, challenging and exhilarating as anywhere I can imagine flying. And yet the greatest part of being here is the camaraderie of the pilots on hand. Some of the most gifted xc pilots and coolest characters make their way here from across the U.S. to gather in a summer camp for big kids. It is the best. I can't wait for next year!