Hyperlite Mountain Gear Dyneema Flat Tarp Shelter

New Toy!

Rule #1 of lightweight hiking: Ounces quickly become pounds.
Rule #2 of lightweight hiking: A linear reduction of weight comes with an exponential increase in cost.

The Mountain Laurel Designs Superlight Bivy, Thermarest Neo Air Xlite, and Western Mountaineering Summerlite were longing to be paired an equally lightweight tarp.

Enter the Hyperlite Mountain Gear Flat Tarp.

Made from Dyneema - a Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE) that is resistant to water, UV, microorganisms and many chemicals. With a strength to weight ratio upwards of 15 times that of steel, it has found many applications including body armour, paraglider/parachute suspension lines, sailcloth, and lightweight hiking shelters.

It is the last of these applications that is of interest today.

The tarp was ordered via the HMG website and shipped via Express Priority USPS (to avoid the highway robbery that is known as UPS brokerage fees). Arriving a week and a half later, it sat waiting for a trial setup.

Tarp in stuff sack.

Guyed out with Black Diamond Carbon Trekking Poles.

There is enough room under this version (8x10) for pilot + flying kit.

Looks good. 

Why one should never mount a GoPro to a helmet (and why I got a MOHOC)

Luckily the mount failed before the neck.

Link: Initial thoughts on helmet cam entanglement and the MOHOC

Prices for Paragliding P2 Lessons in Vancouver, Whistler, Pemberton.

Provider	Price	Location	Accepts PayPal*	Notes
JetSet Paragliding	$2500	Fraser Valley	No
FlyBC	$2184	Fraser Valley	Yes
DeimosPG	$2000	Fraser Valley	No
iParaglide	$2397	Fraser Valley	No	Price does not include $160 - $320 in 'i4x4' fees
Sea To Sky Paragliding	$2362	Pemberton	Yes

* If the provider does not accept PayPal (with its purchaser protection) - make sure to get a receipt.

** Schools will often advertise 'includes X flights' - it is important to know there is no established standard in Canada as to what constitutes a paragliding flight. It could be a single run down the training hill or a proper flight off the top of a mountain. Be sure to inquire what the program actually entails before making any payment.

DISCLAIMER

The posting of prices/links is in no way an endorsement for any of the above paragliding businesses. It is the responsibility of the client (you) to confirm that the instructor is properly trained, certified, licensed, and insured by an appropriate body. Paragliding is a dangerous activity that can result in serious injury and/or death.

INTJ warning: I need this on a t-shirt

2016 West Coast Soaring Club + FlyBC Paragliding FlyIn: A few snaps using the MOHOC helmet camera

Miguel: "Lets git 'er done!"

Martin on the ATOS VR launching.

Pete on the Alpina.

Even the Speed Wings come out for the FlyIn

Miguel flying by on the Ozone Delta 2,
Paddy up to bat with a Niviuk Hook 4,
and Mia's ATOS queued. 

Paddy on approach to FlyBC.

Paragliding BackUp Compass

For the pilot asking about my harness mount backup compass:

It comes by way of ParaSupply - and North even points North (as opposed to the infamous Hong Kong EBay special with N and S flipped).

Link