The Huarte canyon line had been on my mind for better part of the summer. This mega line resides on the southern flanks of the wheeler crest dropping into the dramatic canyon of pine creek, highly visible from the 395. Reaching the trailhead is relatively chill since one can shuttle up to rock creek lake at 9700ft and that shaves off 3200ft of vert to ascend by foot. Many speed flying pilots know of the wheeler crest and some have had the pleasure to fly it, but! Most folks tend to fly the same spot and launch from the same area that past pilots have done, well I really felt the urge to fly something new, more fall line, and bigger.
Matt Sollinger was fired up to do the flight as well so we set off at 6am from the tamarack lake trail head before reaching tamarack lake we were fortunate to see the illusive big horn sheep hanging out in the sun enjoying the warmth. It took us 3 hours to reach the launch and once we crested the wind was blowing perfectly and if this launch didn't have wind we weren't sure if we would try to launch since the rocks are pretty dense.
Conditions seemed great so I went first, launch felt mellow, and I started my traverse out left towards Huarte. Once I could see most of the line I couldn't resist but to dive into the line and keep it low as long as possible. Conditions in the line felt smooth and I knew I could give it my best go and keep it safe. Towards the bottom quarter of the line it starts to become shallow and that had me concern especially since Im flying a 10m fury max so I started to ease off proximity flying. I peeled off the line early and ended up with plenty of AGL to reach the LZ but that was a safe decision since this was my first go at it.
Now that I know this line I would only change a few things on the flight path for next time but over all Im beyond stoked on how well the whole thing came together. This flight is the best sierra speed flight Ive had to pleasure to fly so far. It might be awhile til I get another Sierra speed flight since Im starting a new chapter in my life, maybe this flight is a last hoorah for me, I don't know.
Hope ya'll enjoy this vid!
-Ben
Ben Peck - Level Fury max 10.2m
Matt Sollinger - Ozone R3 11m
25 авг 2024