By Stan Wawer
Pilot Dave Mencin pulled the release knob and off we went, banking to the left in search of thermals. We soared like a hawk high above Boulder, Colorado’s Flatiron mountain range. It was like floating on a cloud — if that was possible.
The two-seat glider quietly, gently soared at about 10,000 feet, occasionally catching a thermal, breaking the silence and reminding me that I was in an aircraft without an engine.
“Everything you like to avoid in a plane, you like in a glider,” Mencin said.
According to Mencin, Boulder is an ideal place to glide. “High, dry air is needed to glide and this area has perfect conditions.” Mile High Gliding flies all year round, including in snow and rain. As long as you have good visibility, says Mencin.
“Winter’s great from the pilot’s point of view,” he explained. “You get great altitude. But it’s not as good for passengers because you get lots of turbulence.”
Mencin is a physicist turned glider pilot. He received an undergraduate degree from the University of Missouri and a graduate degree from the University of Colorado. He did earthquake research for JPL in Pasadena, while centered at the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder.
“JPL wanted me to move to Pasadena, but the work was boring,” Mencin said, laughing.
He trained by making 15 flights a week for 18 months. He has been flying passengers for more than a decade. “You can’t beat this for work,” Mencin said. “That’s when I decided to become a glider pilot.”
I had to agree with him, as I looked out the front cockpit canopy and at the mountains, downtown Boulder, the plains to the east and the University of Colorado football stadium, the field painted and awaiting its Saturday game against the University of Washington.
We took off from Boulder Airport, our tow plane pulling us skyward. “Most people don’t like the tow plane when they’re taking off,” Mencin said. “It can get really bumpy.” Not on this idyllic afternoon.
“Once we’re on our own, I tend to stay under 110 knots, about 122 miles per hour,” Dave explained. “When you’re thermaling, you want to go about 40 knots.”
I didn’t care how fast he went; I felt like Jonathan Livingston Seagull.
Boulder’s mild climate makes it a perfect place throughout the year for outdoor activities. The average winter temperature is 46 degrees, with a nighttime low of 26 degrees. The rest of the year, the average daytime temperatures run from 62 (spring) to 83 degrees (summer).
“Don’t look back,” Melissa shouted as I reached the halfway point of my first rock climbing experience. I’m not a very good listener. I turned and looked out and down as I heard the roar of the crowd. I thought it was for me, but it turned out the roar was coming from the football stadium where the Buffaloes and Huskies were carrying on a rivalry on a clear, warm early September Saturday afternoon.
As I gazed at the little people below me, I suddenly realized I had climbed higher than I really wanted to go. I had entered gut-check territory. “You’re doing great,’ said Duncan, one of my two instructors, guide and confidence booster. I later found out that Duncan lies a lot.
Behind me was a hysterical football crowd; to my left were the impressive Flatirons, Boulder’s trademark; above me was blue sky and rock. I took a deep breath, grit my teeth and continued my ascent to the summit. I made it in what seemed like an eternity.
Courtney, a twentysomething from Miami, was the next climber. She was having trouble getting high enough to dunk a basketball. “I’m climbing at the pace of an anemic turtle,” she said, forcing a smile as she held tightly to the rock.
I made it to the top because I put my confidence in Duncan and Eric and my equipment (the rope and the rubber-soled shoes). About halfway up, I couldn’t find a spot for my right foot. About five minutes later, the stubborn foot found a crevice and from there, it was all up hill. The repel down was not unlike one I made at Air Force basic training 46 years ago — exhilarating.
Duncan and Eric are instructors with the Boulder Rock School, considered one of the nation’s premier climbing schools and accredited by the American Mountain Guides Association.
I attempted one more climb at a higher degree of difficulty. I ran out of arm strength about three-quarters of the way up. I blamed it on my mountain biking trek earlier in the day.
I worked out a breakfast of granola, with strawberries and soymilk by mountain biking down the Boulder Creek Path. I started four miles up in the mountains on a gravel path, which eventually turned into a paved road that’s shared by runners, bikers, hikers and roller bladers. It’s considered a novice ride. I don’t know what they call it if you turn around and make the four-mile trek back up hill. I made about two and a half miles of the return ride before my legs begged me to lighten up. I recommend mountain biking one day and rock climbing another day.
Park Ranger Burt on Stoner, a biologist from Bradley University, was my hiking guide in Boulder Mountain Park. We started the hike
at 5,400 feet and went to 7,200 feet where I had a breathtaking view of Longs Peak, the Continental Divide, the Flatirons and the town of Boulder. We started the hike at the Gregory Canyon Trailhead, up Gregory Canyon to Green Mountain Lodge and looped back to Saddlerock. Bring lots of water on any hike in higher altitudes. You get dehydrated fast.
Stoner pointed out the fauna and flora of the area. Western tanagers, magpies and a variety of plants can be seen along the trail, which is a former road used for travel to gold mines near Central City.
I “cast” all my cares away on my final adventure — fly-fishing in Boulder Creek with guide Mike Mansfield of Kinsley Outfitters/The Orvis Shop. Boulder Creek is Boulder’s main recreational artery, running through the middle of town. Mansfield picked out a pair of waders for me, handed me an Orvis fly rod and reel and took me down by the bridge where the water was running swiftly downstream.
I don’t want to brag, but I caught the only trout in our group. OK, it weighed about an ounce and I didn’t know I had it on my hook until I started to cast again. I spotted what looked like a sinker at the end of my line. I practiced the catch and release method of fly fishing, tossing “Big Ben” back into Boulder Creek.
The timing for my Sunday morning massage, at Boulder College of Massage Therapy, was perfect. My muscles couldn’t thank me enough.
Where to Stay
Boulder Marriott — 2660 Canyon Blvd. At the base of the Flatirons in downtown Boulder and within walking distance from the University of Colorado. It is in the heart of Boulder’s shopping and restaurant district. 155 deluxe guest rooms. Indoor pool, whirlpool and fitness room. Call for rates. For reservations, call (303) 440-8877.
Historic Hotel Boulderado — 2115 13th St. It opened New Year’s Day 1909. It is Boulder’s first luxury hotel and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Meticulously restored to its original turn-of-the-century grandeur. Special packages available. For reservations, call (866) 600-2224.
Briar Rose Bed & Breakfast — 2151 Arapahoe Ave. Jessika Kimes and Gary Hardin (a Zen monk), innkeepers. They are the first members of the Green Hotel Association from Boulder County. Each of the 10 rooms has its own distinctive character, but all rooms have private baths, personal phones and organic cotton sheets from Coyuchi. For reservations and information, call (303) 442-3007 or toll free at (888) 786-8440. Web site: www.briarrosebb.com.
If You Go
Gliding — Mile High Gliding, Accessible to those with disabilities. Open seven days a week, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Reservations recommended. (303) 527-1122.
Hiking — Chautauqua Ranger Cottage, (303) 441-3440.
Fly Fishing — Kinsley Outfitters/The Orvis Shop, guided fly-fishing in Colorado’s Rocky Mountains. Full- and half-day trips. Includes Orvis rod and reel, waders, transportation from the shop and picnic lunch. (303) 442-7260.
Mountain Biking — The Boulder Bikesmith. Only minutes from the bike path. All kinds of bike rentals. Rentals include a helmet, lock, map and protector pads. (303) 443-1132.
Rock Climbing — Boulder Rock Club. Programs for children and adults. Indoor climbing wall. Offers an incredible array of classes for beginner to expert, both indoors and outdoors, summer or winter. (303) 447-2804.
Boulder College of Massage Therapy — 6255 Longbow Drive. (303) 530-2100 or (800) 442-5131.
(All information is accurate at the time of publication but prices, dates and other details are all subject to change. Confirm all information before making any travel arrangements.)
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