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GRADE : BASIC (after 2 guided flights)
DESCRIPTION : Porterville is Cape Town's premier xc site. Hardy scrub covers the dry and rocky mountain range. In summer, the fields below are barren browns and blacks, having yielded their grains to the yearly harvest. Ground temperatures can soar well into the thirties (*C) motivating good thermal activity and healthy height gains. The front ridge offers a unique beginning to some epic Cross-country flying. The Cedarberg Range which towers behind the front ridge has only recently been explored by paragliders, and then only very tentatively. It is a dry and dusty environment on the ground, but once airborne one can appreciate the true beauty of the land. Wild, untamed mountains. Plains stretching out from the foothills to the western horizon. Hidden, inaccessible valleys (stay high!). Blue skies above. Almost unlimited landing areas out in the flatlands. And thermals that leave you with no doubt that they are going UP. You can almost be guaranteed flying here between November and March (averages at 4 good days in 7). If you are proficient at thermalling, 20km xc is an easy goal. In winter (June - Sept), just after a cold front has passed, some thermic and soaring conditions are still to be found over a much greener Porterville valley.
WIND : W – SSW + anything thermic GPS : +- S32þ55_37.4ý E19þ02_10.9ý
LAUNCH : At the top of the DASKLIP PASS is a hangglider ramp and a cut-away. The launch is covered with shade-netting, and is just above the road. It is the regular site of competitions. I prefer to use the alternative launch, PAMPOENFONTEIN, which is higher and faces more directly into the prevailing thermic cross-wind. The primary launch is a cliff-launch, so is better suited to pilots with good ground-handling. The thermals are usually stronger so you can get away quickly. A wide ledge has been cleared and netting laid down. There is a large amount of space in the surrounding fynbos as well, and an easy top-launch. Toplanding is possible.
ALTITUDE : 550m high (800m asl), with airspace ceiling at 2900m asl.
LANDING : Directly below launch is a field to the right of a square forest (Grootelsbos). Land either side of the gravel road coming in from Porterville. From Dasklip launch, land on the field across the junction at the base of the pass. Most farmers in the area have no problems with us landing on their lands. Simply avoid livestock, be friendly, and don't bring your recovery vehicles onto their private land.
CAUTIONS : Make sure that you check the wind-direction around the back of the mountain. Sometimes the takeoff site is in the lee of a strong south-easter, and flying is not recommended until the heat of the valley has raised the inversion high above the ridge. Midday thermals can become incredibly strong, especially the house thermal to the left and right of takeoff. The rocks below the launch-site are gnarly – avoid fiddling in your harness and maintain good glider control until well clear of the ridge. In strong thermic conditions it becomes difficult to judge your launch timing due to the ledge which obscures your view – use an assistant if possible. Expect your glider to surge as it bites into the wind.
DIRECTIONS : Take the N1, then turn left onto the N7 and drive for 100km to Piketberg. At Piketberg, turn right towards Porterville. Turn left at the T-junction and continue north. The first turning right is signposted 'Cardouw / Dasklip Pass'. After following this gravel road for 10km, you'll reach the base of the pass (tarred). If you are going to park here to catch a ride up with friends, please ensure that your vehicle is well off the road (up against the fence), as the locals complain if we constrict the dangerous intersection. When you reach the top, you will see a hangglider ramp on your left. The paragliding launch site is directly above this. To reach Pampoenfontein, continue on the road past Dasklip takeoff around the back. After +- 3km, turn right (uphill). Road climbs out to the front of the ridge.
SITE RECORDS FROM THE AREA : 151.4km N (Simon Green), 112km S to Franschhoek (Greg Hamerton), 72km W (Allen).
ACCOMODATION : Pampoenfontein -available on farm. Call Gemma Carlsson on 082 564 5500. Dasklip - Flyer's Lodge (Manzoni - 082 788 4398)
CARETAKERS : Cape Albatross HG Club, Glen PG Club, the Carlssons. Dasklip - Rob Manzoni.
PERMISSION : Pampoenfontein - site fee of R20 payable in site fee box and sign the indemnity. Dasklip - site fee R35 payable to Rob Manzoni.
Information: Greg Hamerton Fresh Air South African Paragliding Site Guide
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