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THE GREAT BASIN IS GREAT FUN
By Ron Clarke

I've just returned from several weeks of great soaring in the Great Basin area of Nevada, and am more convinced than ever that this is perhaps the best thermal site that exists anywhere. I don't know how many 1000km + flights Ray Lynskey (New Zealander and past World Champion) flew out of Ely this year, but it seemed to me that he flew that distance and more almost every day he took off from there. Most evenings the more dedicated pilots made it home just as the sun set after 7-9 hours of thermal flying which had taken them as far as Utah, Idaho and even into California from Ely before returning.

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Several factors contribute to the outstanding conditions across this region and include the dry desert conditions, the temperature spread between nights ( often down to the low 40's F) and mid afternoon temperatures of 85-90 F. Dewpoints are often in the teens - twenties and when the monsoon weather brings in moisture from the gulf, cloud markers are abundant. Most of all I believe the real difference between this and many other inland sites around the world are the 7-10 significant mountain ranges that run SW/NE across the area. In many cases the mountain peaks rise to 12000msl or more. These mountains allow early starts on thermal flights as the sun heats the eastern slopes in the early mornings, trigger incredible streets of lift throughout the day and also provide a means of getting home in the evenings by flying along the warm western slopes as the sun sets. The more experienced pilots use the mountains for ridge lift and wave under certain conditions.

As most competition pilots know, the US 15 m Nationals this past season took place at Tonopah on the south edge of the Great Basin. On one of the practice days the first 23 pilots all completed the 182 mile task at speeds above 100mph with the winning speed at 123mph. Only possible because of the high altitude flying where thermal tops are usually between 15000 and 18000msl.

While flying out of Ely the week of July 29, I managed several 700-800 km flights but aborted a 1000km FAI triangle attempt when I saw overcast ahead and the headwinds increased to 20 knots. Philippe Athuil and Janusz Centka however kept going and completed their tasks that day setting several French, Polish and at least one World record under less than perfect conditions for the area.

Visiting this area is a must for all soaring pilots who enjoy flying cross-country using thermals. Trips out of Ely down to such areas as the various canyon lands and National parks of southern Utah, the Wasatch mountains, or up to the beautiful Ruby mountains of northern Nevada or Wheeler peak are all possible in a days flying from Ely.

Click on the picture for an enlargement!