Meteor Crater Balloon Flight
Meteor Crater Web Site | ||||||||||||||||||||
Oct 5, 2002 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Feb 1-3, 2008 | ||||||||||||||||||||
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. | ||||||||||||||||||||
A view of the crater | ||||||||||||||||||||
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, cleared 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 Hoffer, Gabe Andes, Keith Sproul, Lou Barthelemey, Jared Griego,Fred Letei, Garry Haruska, Lori Wichhart, Brenda Yost, Jacob Griego, Tonya Griego, Jeff Griego | ||||||||||||||||||||
Balloon Tracks
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