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To freely soar in the sky, to fly with the birds and play on the wind — almost everyone has dreamed of flying, but few ever make the dream a reality. In Oregon few people realize that we are home to one of the premier hang gliding and paragliding areas in America. In fact, Lakeview, a couple hours south of Bend, is considered the hang gliding capital of the west. There are three primary reasons that give Lakeview this title. First, located 5,000 feet above sea level, with consistent winds hitting the Warner Mountains, Lakeview boasts conditions that create thermals — a column of rising air in the lower altitudes of the earth’s atmosphere. The sun warms the ground, which in turn warms the air directly above it, giving the glider its source of lift. Second, Lakeview has built six completely developed launch sites, close to town, with ample space for pilots and spectators. Finally, as the sport grew in the area, the locals embraced the enthusiasts. In fact, almost all private landowners have graciously opened their land as landing zones, furthering the communal aspect of Lakeview’s title. To understand how Lakeview became the paradise for fliers and gliders it is today, we must go back to Chris Price and 1972. Price is a legend of the sport, setting a world distance record at the Doherty Slide, traveling an unheard of (at the time) 18+ miles. His efforts caused a buzz in the area, and by the mid-seventies local enthusiasts began flying regularly, attracting folks from throughout the region, to both enjoy the spectacle and participate. The early pioneering efforts culminated in an annual event called the Umpteenth. No one knows exactly when this first 4th of July event began, hence the original name Umpteenth, but it has become a must for enthusiasts and spectators alike. The annual event, put together by the Rogue Valley Hang Gliding Association (RVHGA) and the local chamber of commerce has a colorful history. Beginning with a few families gathering for a weekend of camping and flying, the event grew every year. By 1989, there were 18 pilots participating. It was soon after that Barb Gover, then executive director for the Lake County Chamber, realized the potential for this growing sport. In 1990 she applied to the Oregon Lottery Commission for a grant to fund an effort to make the sport a tourist attraction. Along with the help of the Lakeview Town Council, the roads department and local pilots, Lakeview was well on its way to becoming the hang gliding capital of the west. Soon, cooperation came from all corners. The U.S. Forest Service, along with the Lake County Fremont National Forest team, the Bureau of Land Management, the Oregon Department of Transportation and RVHGA all came together with the same goals: the creation of safe launching areas and ample parking and to promote flying in Southern Oregon. They were highly successful in their efforts. By 1991 the annual event, now called the Festival of Freeflight, had 320 pilots registered, and more unregistered. With local resources jammed to capacity, it became clear that change was necessary. The event itself was toned down over the next few years, but cash prizes kept getting larger. By 1998 things came to a head. Conditions that year were much more conducive for paragliders (similar to a modern parachute) than hang gliders. Paragliders were flying up to 80 miles, while hang gliders weren’t able to take advantage of the conditions due to their type of craft. Controversy raged between the two groups, with hang gliders ultimately demanding separate events. The conflict became a logistical and administrative nightmare for event organizers. In 1999 things changed for the better. Organizers did away with the large cash prizes and complicated competitions and decided to go back to the roots of the Umpteenth. What everyone wanted was a fun gathering of like-minded folks, not out for cash but simply a good time. With the competition mitigated to a few “friendly encounters,” such as cumulative distance and spot landings, and the rules relaxed, people began having fun again. Big cash prizes were gone, with winners usually getting enough money to pay for their gas. The Festival of Flight had come full circle. Last year the Festival of Flight attracted 85 pilots from all over the world, and more are expected for the 2008 event. There are six official launch sites, all on public land. With the continued support of local landowners, the event is expected to be the best to date. The flying season typically begins in May when the warmer weather begins creating thermals. Local resident Beverly Hills, who flew for the first time last year, was inspired by a group ladies in their 70s. “They told me it was the most incredible experience they had ever had,” she recalls. “ So I had to try it.” Hills remembers, “It is larger than life, unbelievable, experiencing weightlessness, free as the birds, which are right up there with you!” Lake County Chamber Director Caro Johnson says there are big plans for the future, including a training and instruction hill. “We’re working on establishing an instruction hill and ultimately plan on having a full-time instructor living here,” she says with enthusiasm. Hang gliding and paragliding have found a home in South Central Oregon, but what makes this phenomena unique is the variety of entities that came together over the course of a few years to make it possible. From enthusiasts to governmental agencies to local supporters, the cooperation and evolution of this sport in Lake County in not only remarkable, it’s inspirational. So, if you’ve ever dreamed of flying, Lakeview is your paradise. |
Spring 2008 issue
Climbing Central Oregon's Volcanoes