Dean’s ol’ hang gliding memories
Grandfather Mountain, NC, in the mid-70s through the mid-80’s, Grandfather Mt was a popular hang gliding destination, playing host to the annual Masters of Hang Gliding Championship and countless exhibition flights. The competition was patterned after golf’s Masters. As I remember, 10 to the top US pilots and many foreign national champions were invited to compete. I competed in the first 4 Masters of Hang Gliding. This hang gliding competition raised the awareness and interest in hang gliding worldwide.
A lot has changed since I was here in the late 70’s. The new building at the top is beautiful and functional! There is an elevator so handicap can visit the Mile High Bridge. The road to the top is steep with 5-6 switchbacks. In my opinion these switchbacks are more technical than the Tail of the Dragon!
This week Grandfather Mt is hosting the Highland Games at MacRae Meadows. North Carolina is the home of the largest settlement of Highland Scots outside of Scotland. Today they are tossing cabers where I have landed a hang glider in the late 70’s.
photo of Dean hang gliding in 1974
https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fhghistory.org%2Fhang-gliding-2%2Fhg74pt2%2F&psig=AOvVaw1LndL4cOut2Ol0cUx05JPd&ust=1626003557625000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAoQjRxqFwoTCPjukMC12PECFQAAAAAdAAAAABAD
Amazing what you can find on the internet!!!
Audrey, thanks for posting that! I wonder how they got such a good closeup of Dean back then? That’s amazing! A great piece of history!
Interesting history of hang gliding here! Congrats for competing!
The steep switchbacks do sound tricky on a bike. I don’t think I’d want to be a rider. Yikes 😳
And who would think the Scot’s would be throwing trees down there, ha!