Jonathan Dietch writes:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=SsgrILjbu-k

This is the extended and narrated version of the video I shot during my first
flight ever at King Mountain on July 19, 2010. I launched second while my 'Epic
Spuds' team mate Mike was landing in the upper LZ. Mike quickly broke down then
re-launched for a good flight score later in the day.

I launched from the steel NW facing ramp. Later, I was told there were only
three flights from this "cheese grater of death" as I fondly refer to it. This
video touches briefly upon most of the phases of the flight from launch through
landing. At the end I add a 3D animation of my flight tracks using Naviter's
SeeYou software, captured with Fraps.

There will be two more installments from launch through landing of days three
and four. Day two was my bomb-out day and I failed to activate the shutter
button and did not record the exciting landing on a dirt and gravel road. I may
edit a short, narrated video of Day two in order to explain my decision error
that cost me the flight along with being stranded for five hours.

On Day 5fivemy camera mount snapped in half about one minute into the flight
from the Coyote launch. I had to stash the GoPro HD camera into my side pocket
before I even had a chance to shut it off, so the video I did record was
corrupted and unrecoverable. Too bad because I soared over some spectacular
terrain including nearly getting tumbled in front of Big Southern Butte and then
climbing out like a rocket on its lee side while three hawks attacked me. I also
soared over the lava fields which would have been nice to capture as well. And
then there was that landing in switchy and gusty winds.

I was so tired by Day six that I was glad I had no way to use my camera other
than to lash it to my keel. No thanks, I said. I don't even want to think about
it. Good thing, as my flight was and exhausting six hours. Did I mention the
really exciting landing down the middle of a two foot wide tire track in sage
covered field just behind soon-to-be winner Dave Gibson's T2C? In fact, 3rd
place finisher, Mike Daily had landed across the street earlier and 2nd place
finisher, Kurt Bainem landed next to us about 10 minutes after I set down. All
we needed was Scott Huber to join us. But his absence and unknown status kept
Gibson on edge.

If folks enjoy watching this video, and I haven't already posted it on your
club's forum, etc., why not share it with your friends and any other interested
parties? Facebook works pretty good too. It helps grow the sport as well as the
King Mountain event and it helps me get the exposure I may need. Eventually, I
will be seeking to make my video productions self-sustaining. In order to do
that I need funding. And that requires exposure. Eventually I will no longer be
able to afford to keep this up at the rate I'm going.