To get to the Crest launch, you drive up the road from the back side of the mountain. To get to the Peak launch, you take the tram up to the restaurant area. L-R is the PA gang; Shawn MacDuff, Jim Carroll, and myself. The gliders are delivered to the staging area, where they are hoisted up, waiting for the next car to come down the mountain.

Our gliders are mounted on the top of the tram car, and we are now waiting in line with the rest of the tourists for our chance to ride to the top. Unlike most of the other passengers, the three of us have one-way tram tickets. Pardon the glare and distortion, but this shot was taken through a glass window at the staging area.

The Three Stooges ride the tram car up the mountain with their gliders on the roof, soon to become the morning entertainment for the restaurant and hiking crowd on top of Sandia Peak.

The day's Peak Guide, Bill Lemon, points out the tram wires to the left of launch. Yeah, I had noticed them.

Immediately after launch. Look to the left of my knees and you can see a tram car on the way up the mountain.

Flying further out into the bowl area from the Peak. My shadow is just to the right of the Wills Wing insignia on the back of my harness.

Thermalling up higher, looking toward the South Peak.

The city of Albuquerque is visible far out in front of my left side, and the Crest launch is by the antenna complex on the mountain to my right.

Thermalling up above the Peak launch. The launch, restaurant, and tram port can be seen on the edge of the mountain under my left wheel.

I was starting to drift over the back, so I left the thermal at about 12K and went back to the bowl in front of launch.

Heading out of the bowl, Tram Tower 2 is visible to my left. Notice the camera's shadow on the back of my harness.