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With the Covid 19 epidemic in full swing for most of 2020, all normal northwest fly-ins were cancelled. This was true for the formal fly-ins and for Rainier Paragliding Club's informal flying field trips. Unfortunately, this situation is continuing into 2021.
The annual Blanchard Bash, which was cancelled in 2020, it did not happen again this year either.
Sadly, The CanAm fly-in has been cancelled for 2021 because of the fire situation.
The annual Baldy Mountain fly-in was also cancelled for 2020. It now appears that there will be no more flying at Baldie for awhile as the land owner's fees are too high for the local clubs to sustain.
The Covid 19 epidemic also resulted in no RPC field trips in 2020. Many of these are rather short notice to allow for going during good weather conditions. The club just recently had a small gathering go to Fort Ebey and Blanchard Mountain for example. One RPC field trip that is normally scheduled in advance is the annual trip to Pemberton. This field trip has been seriously impacted by the numerous forest fires we've had the last few years and by the fact that Canada closed their borders in 2020 due to the virus. With the borders still closed, it is highly unlikely that we will not be flying in Pemberton this year.
The club also normally holds a Christmas/winter party/club meeting in November or December. This was cancelled in 2020 and again in 2021.
With all the fly-in cancellations, the club calendar is pretty much empty. Hopefully, it will fill in as time goes on.
Calendar
Calendar
Blanchard Bash
Blanchard Bash
The Blanchard Bash is held in June at Stacey and Jeff Beck's "ranch". This event draws pilots from all over Washington, Oregon, and Canada. Jeff and Stacey have combine it with the Blanchard "Trail Days" in cooperation with the DNR. The primary flying site is Blanchard, but if the weather dictates the flying moves to BJ, Black, or even Ebey. We always get to fly somewhere.
In addition to the flying, this event has two nights of huge bonfires, a Saturday Barbecue, and a Sunday morning brunch.
CanAm
CanAm
The CanAm fly-in is held in August at the beautiful Silver Lake Campround. The flying community takes over the group campgrounds for 2 nights of campfire and as much flying as can be managed. This event also includes a great Saturday barbecue and Sunday morning brunch.
The flying is done from Black Mountain with the landing zone being right next to the group campground. Very convenient. If weather dictates, the flying can also be done from BJ.
RPC Pemberton Fly-in
RPC Pemberton Fly-in
Pemberton is a great paragliding secret. It offers stunning mountain flying with excellent cross country opportunity while at all times staying on-glide to the Pemberton Valley. We camp at Nairn Falls just outside of town. There is a local shuttle that runs from the school ground/LZ for a reasonable fee.
We typically fly from the McKennzie launch.
This is an informal fly-in. Several pilots stay for a week while others just come for the weekend. Either way, it is a great place to fly
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