Hotel Ballneario LZ
Our little Casita
Le Ceja Launch near Tapalpa
The view north from La Ceja Launch
Russell had a fight with a cougar
Esta bien?
Si!
Yes, above cloudbase and away from the thunderstorm over Tapalpa Flats
3176 meters at base!
It was getting shady so I went over the sandflats at bottom right
The famous Cross is top of the ridge on the left
Nice CUs
Cloudsuck
On the way out there was little lift and I landed just past the circle of trees in the middle of the saltflats
Don't land in these sewage pits!
Coming in on final
After landing back towards Tapalpa Launch
Nice sunbeams
Jim`s LZ on flight 1 Dec 13
What a picture!
San Marcos Launch is overgrown.
Launch 2 Dec 13 2009
and climbing
with the locals
Gerry`s wing still flies well
200 meters over San Marcos Launch
Flight Number 2 on December 13 above San Marcos Launch
The larger launch at San Marcos is grown in
Climbed above the ridge at 4:30 pm December 13, 2009
The view south from San Marcos
The view towards Jocotopec and Lake Chapala where we are staying for a few months.
Heading over the back towards the Pemex gas Station for a retrieve
Restaurant at the Racquet Club in San Juan Cosala
I can't take three months of this!
The Monte Coxala Spa in the Racquet Club
another view of the San Juan Cosala Hills
Jocotopec Shore park, where we used to land in a football field (now gone)
Jocotopec Shore
Jim had to hike from the San Marcos LZ to the Pemex
Joco shoreline
New Jocotepec LZ
San Juan Cosala Raquet Club Pools
San Juan Cosala Raquet Club view to Lake Chapala
From the Racquet Club to the San Juan Cosala Ridge
San Juan Cosala Cicaeda
Local pilot thermalling away from Tapalpa Launch - December 14/09
Lawn Mowers
Colleen off Tapalpa Launch - Dec 14/09
Looking up at Tapalpa West Launch from Rancho Pozo Coyote
Rancho LZ
Colleen with the BC Gang
looking up at the Rocks on the west ridge from the LZ
Rancho Pozocoyote
Our chauferred ride up in the Rancho Toyota
A short hike to Launch
Lake west of Tapalpa from Launch
Rancho LZ from takeoff
Dr Russell is back in flying form after his bug
Dr Russell soaring at Tapalpa West Launch
Nice Sunset
It was getting dark when I launched and climbed out
Wolfy was top of the stack . . .
Wolfy near the towers
I made it to Wolfy's altitude befoer we flew out
Getting pretty dark
The new FlyBC Mexico Launch Shuttle
Nice Jeep and it has a 4.0 Litre Six for only $3000 CDN
Floating off the flat part of San Marcos Launch
Nice lift, which led to +5 m/s up under a cloud right to 3200 meters
Heading to Jocotopec at 2700 meters and 12 kms from San Marcos Launch
Colleen launches Tapalpa Launch Dec 18-09
And climbing
Richard is from Quebec and is retired in Ajijic
It got better and Richard launched in a lull
Crossroads LZ looking south towards Sayula
Roughing it in Ajijic at an Italian Restaurant
Wish you were here!
Another gorgeous sunset from Mexico
Local Vulture soaring at 1700 meters over San Juan Cosala
Soaring near a possible new takeoff point
Local pilot showing off to me!
I won't be launching from here!
Lake Chapala
Takeoff area
Fishing on San Juan Cosala Pier
This bird was focussed on fishing and let me get very close for a photo
and off he flew
San Juan Cosala Landing Zone behind the pier
This area was a swamp before and it was backfilled after the pier was built (we landed here in 2004 and 2005)
El Chante Spa Hotel
Colleen is very happy with this restaurant
Small LZ in front of El Chante Spa Hotel
Native Smoke House in the Spa Hotel
Seating for 20
El Chante Spa Hotel Pool area
Jocotopec Square
Joco Centro
New bypass road north of Joco provides a new thermal generator
Building a Mexican Christmas Tree with spanish directions
Pilots just launched off Joco Launch. Dec 20, 2009
There is a thermal by the cross but they weren't turning in it? Dec 20, 2009
packing crews
Nice accordian job, amigos.
Lake Chapala to the south
Nice tree for $9.00 USD
Tequila Republic Restaurant on the Ajijic Pier, subject of a petition to remove it as locals call it an eyesore
Another fishing bird hunting
Another Mexican Sunset - Dec 21/09
Testing the ramp at Joco - Dec 21/2009
This ramp has got to go
Also this tree is in the way at Joco Launch
Tangle #1 - Joco Launch Dec 21/2009
come on baby!
No tangles now.
Off to the west for a cross thermal - Dec 21/2009
Over the cross - Dec 21/2009
Jocotopec in the distance - Dec 21/2009
San Marcos flight Dec 24-09.
This vulture was actually 10 meters away from me for most of the time Dec 24, 2009
San Juan Cosala Dream Home 2. Similar view for a third of the price.
Wedding photos on Chapala Pier Dec 23, 2009
Child safety in Ajijic
Christmas Eve Dinner at El Chante Spa Hotel
Jim launching San Marcos Dec 24, 2009 - by Colleen
Santa brought Colleen a chayote!
Dusty at San Marcos - Dec 25, 2009
Granger and Jaime at Joco Launch Dec 25, 2009
Granger launches Joco on Christmas Day 2009
Granger over Joco Launch Dec 25, 2009
View from Joco Launch to San Juan Cosala east - Dec 25, 2009
Christmas Dinner at Salvador's
Boxing Day 2009 Sunrise
Jaime doing road maintenance at Joco Launch - Dec 26, 2009
Tapalpa West Launch and LZ viewed from Ataco - Dec 27, 2009
Rancho Pozocoyote Gates
Tapalpa Church from the south side of town - Dec 27, 2009
Shopping in the Tapalpa Market on Dec 27, 2009
Tapalpa Ice Cream Truck in the Tapalpa Market - Dec 27, 2009
Nice shifter boot for the Bus - 190 pesos
Shopping Mall
Tapalpa Ice Cream Truck
The view off San Marcos Launch - Dec 27, 2009
Colleen's view of San Marcos Ridge - Dec 27, 2009
San Marcos Ridge - Dec 27, 2009
Ultralight Aircraft flying by San Marcos Launch - Dec 27, 2009
Kordich Airsports field with a trike landing - Dec 27, 2009
Dusty by the San Marcos Lakebed lasted 10 minutes
Colleen at San Marcos - Dec 27, 2009
The San Marcos Launch Ramp - Dec 27, 2009
One of the many trikes flying today - Dec 27, 2009
Jorge launched after Colleen at San Marcos - Dec 27, 2009
One of the many ultralights buzzing the area at Kordich Airsports field below San Marcos - Dec 27, 2009
Jorge runs the restauraunt at the Raquet Club wheere there is a decent landing field
Jorge and Colleen soar San Marcos - Dec 27, 2009
Not that close - Dec 27, 2009
Colleen launches San Marcos Dec 27, 2009
My XC retrieve Bus in Joco, 5 pesos (50 cents) to ride 10 kms in airconditioned comfort.
Coming into San Marcos town at 6 pm
Requisite boot shot
Czech team packing up in San Marcos
Launch Attempt #1 Joco Dec 30, 2009
Czech pilot over San Marcos Dec 30, 2009
Jaime launches Tapalpa - Dec 31, 2009
Jaime climbing thru 2900 meters
Jaime heading north under a nasty looking cloud - Dec 31, 2009
Heading to the Cross at Tapalpa - Dec 31, 2009 - nice clouds!
Shooting back towards Tapalpa Launch from the Cross - Dec 31, 2009
Going down at -4 m/s!
The cross north of Tapalpa
Hanging on for dear life!
Near the cross heading NE - Dec 31, 2009
Nice clouds - Dec 31, 2009
Heading to San Marcos - Dec 31, 2009
3000 meters jsut below 'base - Dec 31, 2009
2500 meters over Zocoalco but landed jsut below the towers
Horses came to check Jaime out.
Jaime's reception commitee #1
Jaime on final 40 kms later - Dec 31, 2009
Jaime's reception crew #2
Google Earth simulated plot as GPS won't connect
Colleen launches San Marcos - Dec 31, 2009
Colleen on her way to 'base on Dec 31, 2009
Dancing up a storm at New Years to the Lucky Old Dogs
Happy New Years with a new outfit.
Party on!
Just before 2010 rolled in and still awake!
Full Moon and New Years!
Heading to the first Gulley - Jan 1, 2010
These are deep cuts in the hill covered with cactus and jungle but they work - Jan 1, 2010
Sayula is 8 kms in the distance, not far if it is sunny - Jan 1, 2010
Sunny sucker hole - Jan 1, 2010
No LZ back here!
Nasty Powerlines climb from left to right up the hills and there are no LZs back here!
Managed to climb over the highest point of the powerlines before heading to town - Jan 1, 2010
The LZ field is by the greenhouses, the cemetary is the structure at the foot of the hill on the right.
Sayula Cemetary - Jan 1, 2010
Jim hiking through the Sayula Cemetary with deepest respects for the Mexican People - Jan 1, 2010
Hangies set up for a New Years Day Flight at Tapalpa's Main Launch
Local pilot sets up a top-landing at Tapalpa - Jan 3, 2010
and overshoots to climb=out
Jan 4, 2010
Starting to climb
and he is soon at 'base
Low cloudbase at the Cross
Nice cycles
Colleen sets up at Tapalpa - Jan 3, 2010
And Colleen launches her Addict II - Jan 3, 2010
Colleen climbing out past the gulleys - Jan 3, 2010
Colleen is almost back to launch altitude
Colleen and a bird at 2200 meters
Sand cranes over Joco Launch - Jan 4, 2010
Possible new launch over Joco
More sand cranes
Missing her garden?
a few obstacles in the way at launch?
La Santa Cruz (cross) above Joco
SW view from possible new launch
My LZ crew today in the La Fuentes Futball Field - Jan 4, 2010
La Fuentes LZ
La Fuentes LZ and Joco Launch is in the background on the highest hill - Jan 4, 2010
Sure . . . they make it look easy!
Up!
and away!
Come on lift!
soaring Joco Launch - Jan 4, 2010
Pilot just off La Ceja Launch in Tapalpa - Jan 5, 2010
Starting to climb further out
Local pilot Beto climbed out while everyone else sunkout and top-landed - Jan 5, 2010
Budget Accomodations at La Ceja Launch - bed and breakfast for 200 pesos
La Ceja Casita #2
Bathroom and shower facilities at La Ceja
New houses under construction at La Ceja - should be available next season for 2000 pesos a night
Chayote Vines - do not land here!
Chayote looks good from above but it is hazardous as an LZ.
Flight off San Marcos in shaded sky - Jan 6, 2010 - via GPSKit
La Ceja Jan 9th 2010
Go over there and you will go up!
Nice CU
Jim at cloudbase Jan 9, 2010
Jim's view Jan 9, 2010 behind Sayula
Looking back toward Launch 17 kms back
Nice LZ
Last chance LZ
The vutures circled over me as I packed up!
All around the clay LZ
My 4 km hike out
Jan 9 track log
Dale hiking out of his flirst flight in Mexico - Jan 10, 2010
Nice cycles at the Tapalpa Main Launch - now $150 pesos a day!
Normando starting his first big climb - Jan 10, 2010
In-identified local pilot - Jan 10, 2010
Same un-identified pilot moments later at `base - Jan 10, 2010
Development at the cross was working as Normando climbed here well - Jan 10, 2010
Normando`s XC LZ - El Zapote - Jan 10, 2010
Normando`s fan club in El Zapote - Jan 10, 2010
Our Tour Hotel - Posada del Pescadoe in Joco
Tour Hotel in Joco
Kitchen in Tour Hotel
Tour Hotel Posada del Pescador - Jocotopec
Normando at the Joco Fair - Jan 10, 2010
Infinity Tumble training machine
I had to really mess with the contrast to see the birds
Czech Guy on the orange glider and Dale on the slealthy Blue glider
Vulture hangout at the bottom of Tapalpa, if they are not flying it is not good!
Close up of the Vulture Community
Granger and Dennis above Tapalpa Launch January 12, 2010
Dale launches Tapalpa Main Launch - January 12, 2010
Normando coming in to land below Tapalpa Launch - January 12, 2010
New HG ramp at La Ceja in Tapalpa, Mexico . . . aimed right for the powerlines
Normando soaring at San Marcos, January 13, 2010
Dale just off San Marcos, January 13, 2010
Normando and Dale after climbing out of San Marcos, January 13, 2010
Normando and Dale over the north peak at San Marcos, Jaunuary 13, 2010
Normandos Camerones ala Diabla
Seafood special in Joco
Duststorm at Kordich Airfield in San Marcos
Quicksilver GT coming back to San Marcos after an aborted attempt to fly to Manzanillo
Kordich Airfield
Quicksilver GT
Duststorm on the Cuota to Colima
More dust
Tare care of Life in the Zone of Dust Storms
Dale on Colima Launch
Spectators quizzing Dale
Colima Sky
Local Vultures climbing out at Colima showing it is smooth air
Futballers watching Normando
Normando Launches Colima - January 15, 2010
Normando heading South
Nice Sky
Colima Launch Pet
Big Spider
Dale climbs out at Colima - last fly day - January 15, 2010
Dale and his packing crew
Pemex gas Jockey
0 C in Guadalajara on January 16, 2010
Snow on a hill towards Toluca, unseasonably cold weather here
Norm buys a pollo rostica for his last Mexican Meal - January 16, 2010
My Tenancingo LZ just behind launch - January 17, 2010
La Laminche launch is just to the right of this hill to the south
Doug Marshburn climbs off La Laminche Tenancingo, January 17, 2010
Doug Marshburn, January 17, 2010
Daniel Villegas, La Laminche Launch - January 17, 2010
Daniel Villegas, up high past La Laminche - January 17, 2010
Nice Tenancingo Clouds!
Doug heading over the back to Garis LZ - january 17, 2010
Tom and Chad over the house thermal - January 17, 2010
Tom heading to Garis and Chad going back for more lift- January 17, 2010
La Vitta Bella Restaurant in the Raquet Club
Lago Chapala view from La Vitta Bella
The kitchen at La Vitta Bella Restaurant
San Juan Cosala and Lake Chapala - January 19, 2010
Raquet Club and the San Juan Hills
The view toward Ajijic and the Five Star Hotel LZ featured in our Tours Page
Another view of the Raquet Club
Closer view of San Juan Cosala
San Juan Cosala Malecon
Raquet Club LZ at the Cabarillizas Restaurant and Stables
The San Juan Cosala Milk Run - January 19, 2010
Ajijic and Lake Chapala in January 2004 (compare the shoreline to the previous pictures from January 19, 2010)
Peter Brinkeby takes his nanny tandem - January 20, 2010
The infamous Joco or El Chante HG ramp
El Chante view of Lake Chapala
The hills behind El Chante rise to 3000 meters. Peter B said he got a 14 meter per second thermal here last April while his buddy got 18 meter per second!
Peter and Howard got above launch at El Chante - January 21, 2010
Jaime 2600 meters over San Marcos, January 21, 2010
Looking back towards Jocotopec and Lake Chapala from San Marcos at 2600 meters
Chauffer driven Chevy Limo to El Chante Launch
Blue Day - January 21, 2010
Landing near the Jocotopec Carrettera
Raquet Club Horse Stables
Raquet Club LZ
EL Chante Launch with Peter Brinkeby just east on the ridge on a stable day
Trike at Kordich Airfield
San Marcos - January 22, 2010
Taking off
and rotating
My Mexican Haircut - 50 pesos
Paramotor just taking off from San Juan Cosala Malecon
Paramotor cruising over the Raquet Club
Paramotor - January 23, 2010
and heading back to the Lake
Peter with Laura and Jose getting ready to tandem fly at San Marcos - January 23, 2010
Howard our driver today
One of the casas at La Vitta Bella
The San Marcos Lake bed, and it stretches for 60 kms south
Artie after his San Marcos Tandem
The casa-arbor at La Vitta Bella
Colleen visited the Grandkids in Peachland without me, aren't they all so cute!
El Chante/Joco Launch and Top Landing area - January 24, 2010
A ridge south of Lake Chapala shows great promise as a launch spot
The Cave at the Monte Coxala Spa in the Raquet Club
The Mexican's mix cement on the ground near a project
The new Jacuzzi (hot tub) at the Cave in Mote Coxala Spa
The High Flyer ride that was in Jocotopec in ealy January
Carving in Joco Square
French Group assembles their gear at El Chante
Lake Chapala and and inverted sky - January 26, 2010
Hazy over Jocotopec
Jean Marc heading east
Identical Sky Eris3 gliders at El Chante
Soaring at El Chante Launch - January 26, 2010
French team at El Chante
La Vita Bella sunset
My house guest
Baby Iguana
Searching for a town thermal
Over San Juan Cosala - January 27, 2010
San Juan Cosala Sunset
The ride to El Chante Launch in Camilo's truck
Getting Claudia ready
What now??
Nice strong launch cycles!
Claudia and Jim above Launch
Claudia and Jim heading east
Andreas is ballasting Jorge here at El Chante
Lourdes and Maria
Working towards Ajijic
Cruising towards Ajijic
At launch height 20 kms later!
Got the town of Ajijic on glide going 59 kph
Looking for Hotel Real de Chapala
The Hotel LZ Futball field is mid shot horizontally and 1/3 from the bottom vertically
Checking out the real estate in Ajijic
I survived!
Hola!
Back towards El Chante Launch 20 kms later
The ridge behind Ajijic that we were working on January 28
January 28 flight log for a tandem to Ajijic
January 28 tandem flight path
The professional film crew at El Chante Launch - January 29, 2010
The Raquet Club
Peter's tandem setting up his landing over the Raquet Club LZ
Peter on final
The CUs were forming early at 1145 am at La Ceja Launch on January 30, 2010
The sky at 1230 pm at La Ceja, just when I was getting ready to launch - January 30, 2010
Denied as the wind switched to strong tailwind by 1245 pm - January 30, 2010
The CUs are still growing.
Dusties at San Marcos around 3 pm - January 30, 2010
Nice CU over San Marcos but no one flew today - January 30, 2010
Industrial Strength Clouds over Lake Chapala at 430 pm - January 30, 2010
The sky settled down by 630 pm - January 30, 2010
Webcam shot of Burrard Bridge in Vancouver, doesn't look too bad but the clouds are low
The sky at noon on January 31, 2010
Nice clouds
This cloud barely fits in frame on my camera!
Lightning, Thunder and Rain came at 5 pm, left at 630 pm, and returned at midnight.
Thunder and Lightning in the Raquet Club (see it can rain here)
No flying tonight
Sunset on January 31, 2010
Llantera excellente! Av. López Mateos N° 3002, Agua Blanca, Código Postal: 45235, Zapopan, Jalisco
Where Farside got it's cow models
Looking towards Jocotopec
Looking towards the Raquet Club - February 1, 2010
Something is different on launch?
Locals soaring above launch - February 2, 2010
Same Locals west of Launch
In the clouds too ignoring IFR rules
You can see the thermals forming here - February 1, 2010
Cloudbase forming at 2160 meters - February 1, 2010
Low base today
Cu forming on the east ridge towards the Raquet Club
San Marcos got rain later on Feb 1, 2010
San Marcos closeup
