Paragliding Owens Valley_Gunter , CA

Elevation: 2541 m, Height Difference: 1200 m / Medium-Easy This site is regularly used for hike & fly, thermal soaring, and offers good cross-country (XC) potential. It has been used for the US Nationals and is unregulated, but an H3 rating is recommended for pilots. The road access is better than Paiute, and the launch area is shallow with plenty of space to set up. However, the landing zone (LZ) requires a long glide and often blows out. The drive to the top takes about 45 minutes and requires a 4x4 vehicle. The launch is suitable for all levels of pilots with many launch directions to choose from, ranging from South to West-Northwest. The main drawback is the long glide to the landing area, so it's best to focus on flying XC. Be cautious as it's easy to get stuck deep in the mountains; be prepared to land out on a ridge if you linger too long. Wait for a lull in the wind to launch. Region: California, USA Site Record: 234.3 km For more information on Owens Valley flying, check out this video: [Owens Valley Flying Introduction](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vg5EvhN4IU0) Additional details can be found here: [Owens Valley Flying Info](https://karicastle.com/owens-valley/) Weather forecast for the area: [Weather Forecast](https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=37.468200&lon=-118.263088&site=rev&unit=0&lg=en&FcstType=text#.Y1kiyT1Bypo) Takeoff: The area is rocky with some weeds, but there is a small clear area to lay out one paraglider. Landing: There are many landing zones in the valley, but they require a long glide. There is a bailout LZ (white sand) on the way up. Since you're flying in a desert area, carry at least half a gallon of water in case you need to walk out. Airspace: Maximum altitude is 17,999 ft. Access: From Bishop, take US-6 North, then turn right on 'Jean Blanc Rd' (about 10 minutes), followed by a 45-minute drive to the top. A 4WD vehicle is necessary. Comments: This launch site was used for a US National Paragliding competition. It offers many options for takeoff, but the long glide to the landing area is a significant consideration. Focus on flying XC and be prepared for potential landings on ridges if you get stuck in the mountains. Wait for a lull in the wind to launch. For more information on the site, visit: [Bishop Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club](http://www.bhgc.org/sites/#site_gunter-gunther-ca)