02/11/12

Rated H/P2.  Flyable with winds from south to north.  These can be extended if conditions are light (see first photo below).  It is easy to fly into rotor if conditions are mild to strong - always be careful that you know the wind direction at all times.

This is one of the prettiest and benign mountain sites for soaring and XC in the SW. The top is clear and smooth with neither obstructions, vegetation, nor rotor.  Top landings are possible.  Launching is easy and safe as the top is a smooth cone all the way down.  The southeast face has darker rock and is a good thermal generator.  If flying other than with a north to south wind, do not venture into the wind shadows created by Mt. Cox or Mt. No-name.  Launching from Mt. Cox is possible but it is a much longer and more difficult climb as there are no roads near its base.  The top is about as good as Mt. Riley.

Denae Nemanic heading out from the northwest face of Riley into buoyant air (she is already above launch).  Mt. Cox is to the left.  Winds were NW and light that day which made launching with such a huge object upwind of little concern.  Do you have the meteorological skills to make this type of decision?  This is why we train & train & train....

The site requires a 45 minute (1,000' vertical) hike to the top from the southwest side.  We plan to develop a lower launch site that will allow benching to the top. Thermals are abundant, of course. XC is easy from here.  Ridge lift will take the pilot well above the summit and "jumps" to the East Potrillo mountains should be easy where ridge soaring in easterly or westerly winds are possible.  The base of Mt. Riley is accessible by 4 wheel drive only.  This is open range -- be sure to watch for (and respect) the cattle that are here and there.

IMPORTANT NOTICE:  Launching from the steep slopes and cliffs in the desert mountains requires expert kiting skills.  It is dangerous to inflate 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, especially in strong air.  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.

A guide is recommended for first time visitors.  Contact us or the RGSA for directions.  We are currently developing other sites in the range, including Mt. Cox (to the left in the photo) and Mt. No-name (to the right).  Visitors can camp anywhere in this region.

Mt. Riley is the mountain in the middle. Mt. Cox is to the left and Mt. No-name is to the right.  The fence is the northern boundary of a ranch that runs cattle in the area.  It is open range.

Launch looking ESE.  The two maars -- Hunts (middle) and Kilbourne (middle left) are just visible.  The East Potrillo mountains are just visible to the right.

These (2) spots generate a lot of heat when the sun hits them and are among the regular thermal sources of the area.  House thermal #2 is a small hill just 200 yd. wide at the base and 100 ft. high.  Thermals stream up from both of these areas continuously when the sun is directly over them.  #2 works better in the PM.  #1 is good to about noon and then goes into the shadows after that time.  #1 can be a point of air convergence during the afternoon if the wind is from the east so the pilot is flying in both ridge and thermal lift at the same time.

Instructor Had Robinson, in front of his glider, is just preparing to launch from the summit. The view here is south with Mexico in the far background.  Mt. Riley is one of the few mountains that can be flown from nearly any direction.  In good conditions, a pilot can do cross country or go "ridge jumping" as there are other soarable ridges nearby.

The road to the base -- 4 wheel drive only.  Note:  There is no cell phone service out here.  Some will work from the summit.