Landing in mountainous area

[dmtmkoch 0]

I'm looking for technical articles explaining potential wind current patterns along narrow river basins at the base of a steep mountain. We've been asked to do an exhibition jump landing at the base of a 70 degree mountain. Jumps have been made at this location in the past, with jumpers experiencing no problems. However, I think it prudent to know what weather conditions to look for that could increase the potential for down currents and shears.

[NWFlyer 2]

Although I know the moderators discourage cross-posting, this might get some good responses in the BASE forum.

"There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

[tombuch 0]

You might try checking the home page of the Soaring Society of America (SSA) at http://www.ssa.org/. They don't have any direct information for you on-line, but you could look up a nearby affiliate and give them a call to discuss ridge line winds.

Another option is to check the US Hang Gliding Association (USHGA) page. They have a few articles that might help you at http://www.ushga.org/articles.asp. or you can look up an affiliated center on their home page and give them a call.
.

Tom Buchanan
Instructor Emeritus
Comm Pilot MSEL,G
Author: JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and Easy

[hookitt 1]

This book is a great place to start ==> Understanding The Sky

My grammar sometimes resembles that of magnetic refrigerator poetry... Ghetto

[shropshire 0]

Ask a paraglider pilot... we land in the mountains a fair bit (I fly in the Alps).

Just one think that you need to be aware of is Valley Winds.... You may have noticed clouds over the peaks of mountains during the day... well they are caused when the air rises (and condenses)... but the air needs to come from some where.... it flows up the valleys and will tend to be faster, closer to the ground.
If you can get a 3-d map of the area, you can imaginge the air flowing like water up towards the mountain peaks.... Take a look at the ridges, lumps and bumps in the topology and imagine the water sloshing around and over them (like pebbles in a stream).. Notice that the water flow is not always smooth and sharpe edges cause turbulant flow... happens in the air too.

In the after noon, the air in the mouintains cools down and flows the otherway (Catabatic winds).



I'll look up same magazine articles for you.....

(.)Y(.)
Chivalry is not dead; it only sleeps for want of work to do. - Jerome K Jerome

[bob.dino 1]

Yep. All the stuff that shropshire mentions is covered there.

It's not a perfect book - it's occasionally obtuse and the photos don't have enough contrast to be truely useful, but it's a hell of a lot better than nothing.

[JohnRich 4]

Quote

We've been asked to do an exhibition jump landing at the base of a 70 degree mountain.

Go to the location, release some smoke bombs, and watch what happens.

[dmtmkoch 0]

Thank you for the input -- data logged & books purchased. Will crawl in bed with this info, gather more, and get educated on air currents in rugged areas.