SLC League Meet CHANGE

The league meet for SLC has been changed to the last weekend in September. 28/29 The beauty of the league meet is it can change at the last moment to take advantage of the weather, which looks bad for this wekend. See you all there!

King Mountain IM League meet

King Mountain delivers! I watched the weather and knew I was missing some big action over in Moore, ID as the gang went to town and flew far amny times. After hearing the great reports from Sat. with such a great glass off and the stories of distance from Sunday's Big Southern Butte epic plus the forecasted Monday weather. It was obvious I was driving to KING late on Sun nite or early Mon morning. I am glade I did as the winds were just right, with promised hights of 18,000ft, altough we never got there. We did come close. Along the Lost River Mountain range we flew, epic views and easy retrieves are just a few of the reasons to love flying KING. Cheers to all who made it for a flight or two, cheers to Mike who drove lots and to Neil our thoughts are with you as you heal.

Wet Idaho

It is raining in SV today, which is a good thing, if you have been watching the fire that has burned up our summers end here in Sun Valley you understand that for 2 & 1/2 weeks we have been under smoke and threat of flames. Finally we can say it is over. Our little national disaster has disipated. Fall colors have also popped and the temps have dropped. Schools back in session and fall is fully here. With winter around the corner it will be easy to move on after being nearly burned out.



Here are some good links from the fire.

http://blainecounty.org/
http://www.inciweb.org/incident/952
http://sunvalley.plumtv.com/

YMCA

The Ketchum YMCA is opening soon and I will be a part of their rock climbing program. Here is a quick flix of it.

FIRE!

Idaho burns and it burns hard.
http://blainecounty.org/
For many days now the smoke has choked the valley. All around Baldy the fire has scorced the lands. North to Griffin Butte is still smoking charred in black. Last weekend coming home from JH IM league meet I saw a column of smoke carried west on the winds covering all of the lost river range and smogging Arco in. I hope that this weekend the fires and winds work in our favor. King mountain here it comes. See you there.

RedBull Xalps memories

The main event has come and gone. My travels to distant lands finished and with the many new friends that I found along the way I am encouraged to return and spend some more time gypsying across the landscape. The event was intense with many great moments. It was full of the whole range of emotions, suffice to say there was never a dull moment. I foundly remember my hours at the cafe or bar waiting down the road for Honza as very relaxing and most enjoyable. I had many laughs, a few crys & much fun drinking more redbull the I'd ever though possible driving thru the alps. So many fantastic mountains and valleys filled with the kindest people in the most amazing villages. The rythem of life changed from region to region with as much characture & spice as the local brew or wine. Everywhere people where happy, friendly and nice to us as we gypsy wagoned across the whole of the alps. The sickness was a disapointment at the start, but opened many doors to spend more time enjoying the ride, especially since we were operating in the old school, with no real gps support or advanced mapping in place. I found a few internet locations and made the most of the live tracking systme making sms messages to Nate & Honza about route, location of others and weather. Plus with so many friends helping out we were able to be very well informed. The racing ahead for local detailed maps that also had the bike paths and hiking trails was hard. We were all blessed that every town had a free water fountain and usually it also had a map board that we could take a digi picturre of the aid our route selection. Many times Honza cursed the Hanning compass. My hat is off to Honza as he recovered quickly from an incredibly violent reaction to something????sq sausage??? He charged ahead, marching in the rain. Eventually he sprinted forward leaving the last pack behind. He charged each mountain with controlled speeds and rested each night for a min of 4 hours. Preventively Honza cared for his feet after hearing the stories of torn up heels and blisters for the frantic pace of the leaders. In the end this saved him much pain and suffering. He lost 15 pounds or so over the course of the race, but was constantly eating, with much thanks to CLIFBAR for suuporting the USA teams, Nate and Honza. The final days were all about eating right to keep an around the clock sprinters pace. When Honza did finally fly for his first time he was late up to the ridge, which made it better for the flight he had to make over the mountains and ontowards Lienz and the Dolomites. He landed and called and said he had had a serious REDBULL moment as he crossed over with just a few inches to spare. Looking at his track log it was obvious he had barely squecked by! From that first flight on Honza rallied against bad weather, when the leaders had good flying honza walked or ridge hopped. For the next couple of days we walks and flew with many teams at the back. It became fun to hang and chat about our different experiences all the while thinking about who was next to get axed from the pack. Joining forces with team slovak, Peter and Martin helped Honza gain confidence and after flight and a long walk thru the night Honza strided on, leaving them all behind. He flew deep into the marmolatta and then landed high behind a couple of ridges, climbing over the first he had to hike down to the hut, get a cheese sandwich all the while walking in the rain and then up another pass to a possible late afternoon flight. I heard him shouting as he leaped into the sky, the valley echcoing his voice. He flew right to the trailhead where I was parked with a big smile for having just passed the first turn point. A couple of flight the next day got him to the edge of Bolzano where late afternoon OD forced risky flying into potage stamp LZ. I was impressed at the size of his... It was here that many got stuck and slowed down, but Honza marched hard. He walked past Bolzano and Messner's castle up the valley that most flew to a mountain launch, where he leaped into the sky calling me while in the air to ask what the ceiling was, how high could he fly? He made me call the race director to confirm he could go as high as he wanted. I think he may have been close to the Approach pattern for Innsbruck, but who cared he skied it out and went a good distance. When he landed locals came and met him. It turned out that Nate had landed there more then 24hrs earlier. Friendly people who were tracking us online. Way cool to see the fans show up and help us out. Marching into Davos was and long night, but the idea of flying the valleys beyound into the Eiger turn point was enough to keep honza focused on his prize. Ealry in the am he went up the hill and I found pay to play internet at a 5 star hotel. Super cool! I drove around to Chur when he was ready to fly hoping to see him in the sky. His white wing did not offer much contrasting colors to see. I spent some time in Chur checking out the old boheimian corner. I sprinted to Arosa and called an old friend with no answer, Then I spoke to Honza who was already across the valley and parked up high waiting for the late afternoon cycle so he could ride down range. I parked it in a small town and motored up to a hill top with a church. I had such the shot lined up, and before I could press record, he had flown by! Up valley I went after him, only to miss his landing by a minute. He walked to Flims that night and ate dinner in a nice resturant, the arena bar, resturant and hotel, a most excellent place. Honza walked on after dinner into the night with fire owrks going off everywhere as it was Swiss independance night. As the world around us partied into the night we bivied in the van park at some road side urban bivauc site. The eiger was so close and we were so far behind, it was hard not to join in the celebration! We preyed for good weather and got none, walking much of what other had flown. Glacier crossings, and ridge running in cloud capped mountains, it was like being lost in another time. Somehow we always connected to resupply the Honza with walking power. His diet grew from soups and rice into sandwiches, eggs and speck and whole chickens from the butcher shop roasted up nice. He was always able to eat the clif gel bloks and drank alot of the powder to rehydrate. Adding protien powder and colorie shacks to his diet. Fresh apples and fruit always found there way into his pocket/diet. Arriving at the Eiger was painfully slow with the bad weather keeping us grounded. From a climbers campground we came to the site "First" and from there Honza made a great series of flights. He was steadily motoring thru the ranks hiking and flying his way forward. From First he flew with the Austrian Chris making excellent distance in critical moments. He landed high and hiked again always faster& strong with each kilometer. As the other racers slowed, drained from exhaustion and pained feet, Honza charged on becoming primal in his actions and thought processes. He claimed to be hunting mammoths. From the Eiger on Honza was racing at top speed and gaining. He charged along the more western route avoiding the air space and the long epic walk of the Sion valley. I watched it all in Interlachen at thefunnyfarm.com where I got internet access, schnitzels, biers and tons of entertainment. When night came after an amazing series of flights from near the Eiger I raced up into the valley to meet Honza for Dinner and sleep. We found a parking area where we pulled a silent and invisible night. Early he left and walked to a pass, when the German Peter went straight up to the rigde tops above town. Honza made it in time for the first lift and an early vally crossing. Tactically he leaped from ridge to ridge making a series of good solid flights. Now he was in real fighting shape. His last flight came into the Martigney valley thru the gap that ventures with serious force. I raced along the high way at top speed trying to catch him, but he went faster then I and ended up loanding going backwards. Definately antother memorable "redbull" moment. We walked again, but now Honza knew he would catch Nate before the race end. We met a fan at the pass that night and he gave good advice on where to go for the early, best flight. Honza walked away from me in the early AM stressed from the miles and sleep little nights. Yet he was determined to pass Mont Blanc and cross on towards Nate when was at least a valley ahead. I saw him coming above Chamonix and make a top landing as the arly cycles died out, Then relaunch and fly strong up into the sky, then away from Chamonix and off after him I went. Eventually I found my way up into the mountains where I found a McDonald's,which of course has gratuitus wireless internet. It is quite fashinoable to hang at McD's and thru Europe I did always find the arches for just that reason. And I can say with authority, The beef ain't the same over there! When Honza caught Nate that night it was a suprise for Nate to see us so soon. His feet where road kill and he carried a gimp of a gait as he kept charging forward. Honza made a flight out of clouds to the pass where we found each other and then he caught up to Nate. It was a good reunion of friends and for that night and into the next morning their friendship and the enjoyment of the adventure carried them forward into Bourge-St. Maurice. In the dawn light Honza stepped into the rain pouring down and showered, but not with any soap. Then the two of them walked up hill, hoping for a break in the weather when they reached the pass, maybe they could fly some. Honza left Nate after a time striding his way into the rain. He was a man possed now, and he was prepared for his final day and night. I stayed close to him now to provide instant energy and the security of the van close by kept him charging. Up hill he climbed to the pass from where he made a great flight into the valley that time forgot. Thru the clouds he went as I laughed, he had just jumped from a cliff side flying into the rainy clouds of the am. I found him in good spirits, the flight having saved him. Now he was really psyched to run. Up the road he marched as I found supplies along the way. Chicken and bier for me...Honza marched a long way and then up hill. We stopped for a meal at a small lake on the pass, by then the Hanning compass was deeply buried in insults, although I had gotten him uphill and thru the best section, saving him great distance....He was already very tired. With tapioca for brains he marched into the night. The brave soilder was brain dead at 2am, but by 4 am he was getting some thinking skills back. He was awakening the zomie within. Down hill he walked into a small Italian town and at predawn he sprinted thru it's streets reaching the hill he would have to climb earlier then he anticipated. He smelled the backery and tried to send me back for some tasty treats, but we were, he was committed beyound retreat to charging as far as fast as he could. I had been going 2ks in front all night long so he could pace himself in time and distance, but at this point I was always just ahead or just behind as I lead him along the switchback short cuts up to the pass where hours earlier Ulrich had been. Honza ran up the hill wasting almost all of his resources, but managed a brilliant last flight down from the pass into morning clouds. The final hour was upon us and I drove down valley after him. I found him running down the road going for it all up to the very last minute. I even had to call the race director for confirmation that the race was truely over. He was reluctent to get in the van and found it hard to believe it was over, and just as he found his real race rythm. We drove a short distance to the river where he washed and I packed, then with fresh chicken and biers we drove towards the race party with 5 hours to be there. Honza babbled for an hour or so and then crashed hard, while I raced along the roads as fast as I could. I was tired, but ready to be done with the whole affair. I had just witnessed the most amazing preformance by an athlete I could remeber in all ways and at all levels. But after all that driving I was ready for some party action. They BBQ'd us into a stuppor then we drank oursleves silly and late into the night I recall a near miss on a sushi effort by the giant who out raced them all. It was a brilliant bang to the end of an amazing event. And we thank you all for following with interest as we gypsy'd across europe. I can't wait to go back just to fly some vol bivouac! See you in the skies! Cheers

Rain Rain go away

Rain has fallen hard in this valley that Honza now walks, but soon the weather will break and he will be able to make some good flights before the winner arrives in Monaco. After such a stuggle against such a vicious stomach bug he has finally gotten strong and is moving well. He made a great flight in windy conditions over Chur, which is good as the Arosa valley would have been hateful to walk down. also Chur would have been a tough walk, although the city itself has an impressive old part of town, a bit midevil. Now Honza heads for a couple of big passes before getting to the Eiger and we are enjoying this incredible adventure. This is the only way to experience the ALPS!

Lastly it was the Swiss independance day last night and there were so many fireworks. Such a celebration I want badly to leave the race and join the party. Flims was going off with much celebration. A shame to be sleeping in the car when we should have been dancing and drinking the night away. The rain this AM has sobered our thoughts of festivals and walking has ended the romance of the sunny weather, but it will return and now that Honza is well we will charge onward as far and as fast as we can.

RedBull X-Alps start prep and anticipation...

To see more info on Teams USA in the RedBull X-Alps click the logo!



We are in the alps in Austria in Obertraun where the race HQ is based for the start. Lots of action. Yesterday was a photo shoot/video interview and a chance to fly a bit. Now we are consumed with briefings and classes on how to use all the tech gear we have as well as safety and race issues. Lots of free RedBull has us all amp'ed up all the time. We will even have runners collecting video tapes we make and delivering all the redbull we can consume. This is thus far the most well organized paragliding event ever. We have a rented van from Prague which with the seats removed is fantastic. Power and recharging will remain an issue thru out the event, just one of my many challenges. In all we are all a great big group of friends involved in a "challenge" that has been labeled a race. With so much distance to cover and so many mountains to fly or hike around this daunting challenge has us all worried about personal performance in the ultimate test of endurance, both physical and mentally emotional. After all we have done to get here everyone's greatest fear is that they will fail early and be cut from the race. One of the new rules is that after the first 72 hours the last team gets cut, kind of two races going at once, one in the lead and another to not be last. This has everyone talking and discussing what is or is not fair. We anticipate a start on Monday, unless the weather goes bad and then we will start on Tuesday. Hopefull Mother nature works with us this year by giving great weather for flying conditions. Soon we will have our phones in operation and be able to get text messages at any time and when we have all that sorted out I will post the number so you all can send us a hello or a cheers.

You will be able to see exactly where we are at all times on the website http://redbullxalps.com, also we will be posting to a diary daily on the RedBull website.

Big epic flights got done this summer already and now the rest of us have to play catch up. Here I am in Prague drink cheq beer and preping for the Xalps just now hearing about some of the sweet flying that got done back in the states. Congrats to Matt Dadam who flew big wind and weather to set a new site record and pinoneered a new route choice. Seems like it was epic. Track log can be viewed at this url

http://bbs.keyhole.com/ubb/search.php?Cat=0

then seaqrch for the user name "xcaction" and you'll see some other cool flights along with Dadam's damn fine flight.
Also a big congrats to Chipper who sent the cody route, one that has been eyed for a long time by the locals in the know.

I'll be posting more in the near future, but for now back to beers, cheq bettys and preping to keep Honza on track while he treks and flys to monaco! Go team USA. Watch us starting on the 23rd with live tracking and diary videos, pictures and blah, blah, blah postings.

Team USA on the way to Euroland 4 da Xalps!

1/2 of the team is already in Europe and the rest of us will leave on the 17th for the race. Excitement is high as we prep to race in the ultimate pg race ever. So many great people have stepped up and supported us in our efforts to realize the dream of competing on the world stag against the best of the best. Thank you to everyone who has helped make this possible. Click on the redbull logo to see a list of who's who.

Check in on us at anytime at the RedBull XAlps website. The diaries are already up and running and the forum is getting some good comments and speculation about what will go down this year, especially since they changed the course by adding the Marmoladas in Italy.

US Nationals Under way

Everyone must be a little tired from the Rat Race, but after a few windy days it looks like they are racing again.
Check the Results for the US Nationals HERE

Rat Race Results are in!

The Rat Race has concluded and from the reports I hear it was another year of excellent hosting and comp running by Mike and Gail. Seems they have the formula right and the pilots are again more then satisfied with one of the best comps run anywhere on our planet.

Check out the results. By clicking the title or the link to the right...

Red Bull X-Alps

xc-action is excited to be backing the USA teams in the Red Bull X-Alps. Team USA1 Nate Scales & Team USA2 Honza Rejmanek, as they try to contend with the euro big dogs on their home turf during the Red Bull X-Alps 2007. Team Honza says,"Chasing Honza around the alps with food and water and taking pictures and video is going to be a really intense adventure! What a way to get to see the Alps and get to know the people. Being "inside the core", feeling the race scene and vibe and joining in on the victory celebration in monaco will be totally awesome!"

Part of the deal with the X-Alps is sharing the experience thru an intense amount of picture, video and text postings to blogs & journals. The Red Bull Site has just posted the first journal entries for the athletes. http://redbullxalps.com

We are all getting ready for a major epic adventure and we hope you all will join us and cheer us on as we race for monaco under the colors of ole glory. The race will be live 24/7 on the Red Bull website, so keep and eye on us and cheer loud to help us along!

Honza's HONZAIR BLOG
Nate Scales X-Alps diary

Oly 75 miles by Bill Belcourt

Oly - 75 miles. New site record set by Bill Belcourt on June 2nd, 2007. Launching at 1:30pm and landing at 7pm. Max altitude was 15,500 over Mt Nebo followed by the "death" glide to wherever Bill could milk his glider to (Levan). Those late onto launch missed the cycle and waited a long time before they got a crack at it. One pilot said that the early cycle was the only ride out of Olympus until way later.

Bill cracked it wide open and sent it the right way. Wish I had been there Bill. Nice!
GPS track log Click Here

Verga

The cloud kept getting darker and it got windy and we walked down, but not for another 2 hours more after this picture was taken. Besides being stubborn wee had high hopes to just be flying down. The smart way was down on foot, ouch.

Spring Cherry poppin

Start of my hike for a training day on Baldy. High hopes of flying off the summit.
1 hour and 1/2 to the summit (slow)

bright lights big city

these bright lights are from the fuel refinery in SLC. Nice touch for the city of fools.

Orriffecs

Damien -by txt message

as reported by Damien on May 30th by text message from Lake View during his North American tour-

Today's flight: OR to NEVEDA 40 miles; max alt:16,5 k

Sadie Dog!

Damn fine dog

Shiney valley

SLC SUN SHINEY VALLEY

What 2 do when there is no wind

Hunlo rippin it up

Mobile blogging set up!

I just tested my new blogging tool. Now I can post from my phone! Pictures, videos and text. Look out! Armed and dangerous. Let the world know the blogathon begins.

Summer fun

Memorial Day is past and summer now swings into full swing. The lifts start running in Sun Valley on the first, so access to flying just got sweeter. As long as the wind and the weather cooperate we will get to spend a lot of time up in the sky. Don't be shy, be sure to drop in when your driving by.

DarkHorse

Xalps here we come!

Look out alps here comes HONZA!

Hello

A freind to connect everyone to what they want.