02/11/12

The East Potrillo Mountains - view looking southeast.  Photo by Glenn Tupper

For directions to the Torrey Paso launch, go here.  For directions to the Bill Cummings (south) launch, go here.  For a Google Earth image of an overview of this range, go here.  Note:  This site is off the grid and has no cell service.  Access to the Torrey Paso LZ does not require 4 wheel drive.  Access to the Bill Cummings (south) launch requires 4 wheel drive.

Rated H/P3 or H/P2 with instructor present. This range is (7) miles long and is located in south central New Mexico running SSE to NNW.  Because of its orientation and slope, it is well suited for ridge soaring with winds from ESE to NE, especially in weak conditions.  In laminar conditions, pilots can stay up in light winds if they stay close to the terrain. However, do not fly close to the terrain if there is any chance of turbulence caused by thermals.  In the winter, on cloudy days, or late/early in the day the risk of turbulence is negligible. It is never good to fly when a strong Jet is overhead as gusting in the high desert can be severe and sudden.  When winds are westerly, soaring might be possible but LZ options are more limited.  That is, if you land out somewhere it will be a long hike as there are few access roads on the west side of the range.

Soaring over the top of the range.  View is northwest with Mt. Cox (L) and Mt. Riley (R) in the distance.  The pilot in this photo went all the way to the north end of the range.

With easterly winds more than 6-7 it should be possible to soar the entire range from end to end but it will take skill navigating a deep saddle in the south end of the range.  No one has yet flown the entire length of the range in a single flight.  When winds are strong 15+, pilots have to be careful not to get blown over the back.  The lift band extends over 1/2 mile out front under these conditions, so it is easy to stay clear of the faster air going over the crest of the mountains.  When thermic conditions are present, it should be possible to thermal away to the west and northwest, even getting to the thermal goldmines in the Potrillo Volcanic Field 15 miles northwest of the range.

Looking east from near the Torrey Paso launch.  In the far distance (32 miles away) are the Franklin Mountains of El Paso.  Lee Boone is getting ready to launch.  Go here for a HD video of his launch from Torrey Paso.

View north from Torrey Paso launch.  The basalt cliffs of Kilbourne Hole maar are just visible in the distance.  The launch area is relatively clear of bushes and big rocks.

Looking northwest from Torrey Paso launch and over the back (this is the west face of the E. Potrillo mountains).  This photo was taken in the same spot as the photo above but turned 90 degrees.  There are countless fingers running out from the crest on the west face of these mountains which would make soaring the range with southwest winds difficult because of turbulence.  There are no roads running along the west face -- you will have miles of hiking if you land on this side of the range.

Torrey Paso Launch  The most accessible launch site is Torrey Paso (see below). Flyable with winds from ESE to NE.  When the air is SE, the air tends to be turbulent as it rolls over the fingers out in front.  Being just below a saddle in the range, the vortex created by the narrow saddle increases the speed of the air coming in at launch.  This makes the site ideal when conditions may be too weak near the surface to get up and out.  Wind gradients are significant in the desert southwest because of the rough terrain and greatly affect our ability to launch and stay up.  Once up and above the surface of the earth a few hundred feet, we are able to stay aloft.  When conditions are strong, it may be best to launch from the parking area and bench up.  Follow the road from the LZ up the east face, park, and then hike the rest of the way.  It is about 20 minutes to Torrey Paso.  The actual launch area is at the south end of the saddle and in front where there is a small clearing.  In stronger conditions, it is possible to bench up from the end of the road/parking area. In weak conditions, pilots should turn immediately left (NNW) after launch, stay close to the terrain, and stay in The Bowl (the lift band which goes about 1/2 mile NNE).  If you go further, you will quickly sink out in weak conditions.  In moderate conditions or greater, the full range is soarable.  In strong conditions, the lift band is over a 1/2 mile out in front.  The LZ is huge and unobstructed.  Pilots often will land on the road to the parking area to save a 1/2 mile hike.  Near the end of the day (an hour before sunset), the katabatic flow out of the mountains (like everywhere else in the southwest) is significant, as it is here.  Winds aloft and winds near the surface will almost always be 180 degrees different so be ready to land going downwind.  This means landing flares must be very deep and you have to run it out.  Fortunately, the main LZ is fairly flat and, if you have a wind sock planted, you may be able to land into the wind without going uphill. 

IMPORTANT NOTICE:  Launching from the steep slopes and cliffs in the desert mountains requires expert kiting skills.  It is dangerous to inflate in strong air and then immediately turn before stabilizing your glider overhead for a few seconds or more.  Many pilots have damaged their equipment and been banged up attempting to launch in the often turbulent air that characterizes the jagged mountains we fly in the desert southwest.  You must have the skills to kite your glider overhead under complete control before attempting a launch from most of our sites.  In addition, all pilots must master inflating their gliders with the A's in one hand and the C's or D's in the other.  You may have to de-power your glider at any moment and this is the only way you can safely do it while attempting a launch.  Pulling deep on the brakes does NOT de-power your glider!  In addition, you will not have time to go searching for the correct risers if things start to go wrong and you do not have the correct ones in your hands.  Jamming the brakes will only make things worse.  If you need training on how to do this, we can help.

Lee Boone (below) setting up at Torrey Paso launch.  The launch is not sheer in front so pilots can safely abort a run.  This is the desert and bushes that can snag lines are everywhere.  Be sure to take the time to lay your lines out carefully as a snag will flip your glider into more bushes and you will spend an hour getting everything out....

BENCH SITE above parking area   With strong east winds, this area just above the parking area for the hike to Torrey Paso should provide good benching possibilities for both HG and PG.  It is on a spine right at the base of the bowl.

BILL CUMMINGS LAUNCH   400' AGL  This launch site tends to have smoother air when it is coming from the SE but is flyable with easterly through north easterly winds.  It is the only site that faces true east (which is way it works better for SE winds).  It is accessible by 4 wheel drive and is more suitable for hang gliders as it has a steeper slope than the Bench Site above the Torrey Paso LZ.  Winds may be stronger overall at the South launch as well.  Launching in westerly winds might be possible but is not recommended.  Directions to the launch site are here.

Below is the view from launch looking east.  The Franklin Mountains are visible in the far distance.  The launch slopes down about 45 degrees to the flats.

Other Launch Sites   We are looking to find a site between the Bench Site and Torrey Paso and will keep you advised.

Our thanks to Bill Cummings and David Grant for their assistance and advice in improving this site.