Meteor Crater Hot Air Balloon Flight

Last updated 1/28/2015

Meteor Crater Balloon Flight

http://www.meteorcrater.com

Feb 1-3, 2008
First Balloon Flight INTO the Crater!

Friday, Flight 1

This was the first time any one has ever flown INTO Meteor Crater. The winds shifted about 10 times while were trying to decide where to lay out. Then it shifted again when were almost done cold inflating. We ended up walking the balloon several hundred yards to get a better angle into the crater. We still did not get into the center, but we DID get into the crater, on the east side. The weather looks good for tomorrow morning and we will try again tomorrow.

Just coming up over the rim

Just into the crater

Down into the crater

Just below the rim on the way out

Almost done and out of the crater

Out of the crater, clearer of the rim

Going down on the outside of the crater, near the rim

Our Shawdow in the crater as we are leving

Landing on nearby dirt road

Saturday, Flight 2

We learned a LOT from our flight yesterday. On the second flight, we knew a lot more about what the wind would do, how it would change, etc. On this flight, we nailed the center of the crater. All three balloons got in, got down, and got out. Flying this crater is not for the beginner. There can be signficant rotors, and many other effects. Another big factor in flying here is the window of good winds is very short.
"THE BEST FLIGHT Of MY ENTIRE LIFE!"

The crater at Sunrise

Coming across the rim

On the way down to the bottom of the crater

On the way down, view from the floor of the crater

First Balloon in the crater!! (Keith Sproul)
Picture from the north rim

Same balloon, from other opposite side
Picture from the south rim

Second Balloon in the crater!! (Garry Haruska

Third Balloon in the crater!! (Fred Lete)
WE NAILED IT!

Third balloon coming down

The Entire Balloon Team, Picture 1

Back Row: John Hofer, Fred Lete, Lou Barthelmey, Keith Sproul, Lori Wichart, Garry Haruska, Brenda Yost, Gabe Andes, Tonya Griego
Front Row: Jared Griego, Jeff Griego, Jacob Griego

The Entire Balloon Team, Picture 2

Brad Andes, John Hofer, Gabe Andes, Keith Sproul, Lou Barthelmey, Jared Griego, Fred Lete, Lori Wichart, Garry Haruska, Brenda Yost, Jacob Griego Tonya Griego, Jeff Griego

Balloon Tracks

Color	Balloon	Pilot	Date
Dark Blue	Wings of Wind	Keith Sproul	02/01/2008 Friday
Light Blue	Wings of Wind	Keith Sproul	02/02/2008 Saturday
Dark Red		Garry Haruska	02/02/2008 Saturday
Pink		Fred Lete	02/02/2008 Saturday

Google Earth View 1

Google Earth View 2

"For once you have tasted flight you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skywards,
for there you have been and there you will long to return."
- Leonardo da Vinci

"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the number of moments that take our breath away."
- Anonymous

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