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SIR LOWRY'S PASS
a preview from the Fresh Air Site Guide
Copyright © Greg Hamerton

GRADING : BASIC + 4 guided flights (Hang-gliders : B)
GPS : +- S34º08’55” E18º55’39”
ALTITUDE : 320m high (420m asl).
Airspace ceiling at 1200m asl. 2000m near Hanskop.
DESCRIPTION : Soaring and thermic. A regular site that offers soaring, thermalling and cross-country, with superb views. The long mountain chain extends in a fairly consistent ridge to the south. To the north of takeoff the ridge rises to become towering mountain
peaks, then curves to form a semicircle. Thermals can be strong, taking you high up and away from the earth, into the blue.
WIND : NW - SW
LAUNCH : Launch for competent pilots (very good ground-handling skills) from the grassed slope below the wall, where turbulence from the big rocks to the right or left can make it risky. If you misjudge the wind, you are likely to get blown back into the carpark.
For an easier launch, walk directly across the road from the entrance to the carpark, and take the little footpath up the mountain, bearing left until you ascend the final steep crest (10 minutes). You will be high above the pass. There is a windstreamer tied to a tall pole, and some netting on the ground. Have a good look at the windspeed, you do not want to be blown
over the back of this mountain! For hang-gliders, lower launch is about 500m down the road, just below the railway line.
 Sir Lowry's Pass flying past Hanskop
LANDING : At the base of the pass, on the S side of the road, before the pine trees is a bald spot.Anywhere close by, in the low bushes is okay, but be careful not to damage the sensitive fynbos. Be careful of the big set of powerlines on final approach on the far side of the landing spot, between it and the highway. Please do not land too close to the road, as you may cause an accident. More experienced pilots can land a little further on, at the second clearing where the retrieval road turns off the base of the pass. Toplanding is not recommended when the carpark is congested (summer season, weekends, holidays). No toplanding for Basic Pilots. If the air is thermic or the wind crossed, toplanding is very risky.
DIRECTIONS : N2 towards Caledon, at the top of the Sir Lowry's Pass, turn right into the viewsite. Beware of baboons (keep food out of sight and windows closed).
CAUTIONS : refer to the Fresh Air Site Guide.
RECORDS : : 117km N to Porterville (Greg Hamerton, Nov 1999), 60km E to Caledon
(Carlo Borsattino, Dec 1996), S to Betties Bay, Johan Anderson (Jun 2001)
CARETAKER : Overberg PGClub, CAHGC  
PERMISSION : None needed
SOUTH AFRICA'S TOP FLYING SITES
LIONS HEAD paragliding siteLion's Head PORTERVILLE paragliding sitePorterville SIR LOWRY'S PASS flying siteSir Lowry's Pass HERMANUS flying siteHermanus
TABLE MOUNTAIN flying siteTable Mountain MAP OF AFRICA flying siteMap of Africa Paradise Ridge flying siteParadise Ridge Bulwer flying siteBulwer
The Dam flying site near JohannesburgThe Dam Barberton flying siteBarberton De Aar record flying site in South AfricaDe Aar Map of flying sites in the Western CapeSite map
FRESH AIR SITE GUIDEPssst! You may print out this page, but you really need all the other good things that go with the Fresh Air Site Guide (detailed current information on more than 135 sites covering all of South Africa, pictures, maps, Cross Country flying tips, travel guidance). Don't miss the best flying during your holiday!
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