Hello, pilots!The Rio Grande Soaring Association will host its annual Columbus Day Gathering in Alamogordo, New Mexico on Friday October 9th through Monday October 12th, 2026.
The long-range forecast looks good. Pleasant temperatures, clear skies, winds light to moderate and mostly west and southwest. Monsoon season has ended, rain has greened the desert and LZ.
Camping is permitted at the freshly re-seeded, wonderfully green and smooth Hang Glider Park LZ and within 100 feet of roads in the Lincoln National Forest. The mountain town of Cloudcroft is just 20 minutes' drive away, where tall pines and golden aspens may please your family while you're soaring high.
The road is rough, but if you have a sturdy 4x4 you will make it. The RGSA has no organized 4x4s, so we are counting on pilots to help get each other to launch.
A porta-potty will be delivered to the LZ on Friday. Anyone who shows up early, please take possession of the Shade Structure; use of it is 1st come 1st served basis, so we need to occupy it. We are trying to provide some beer and food and a BBQ grill, but we are not certain when we can get them there. So, come prepared!
Dry always amazes - it can be blown out for a 100-mile radius and Dry will still work.
The summer's heat has faded and our autumn conditions are making an appearance at last! Come and fly with us at Dry Canyon, where you can find big desert thermals, 100+ mile XC flights and evening glassoffs, right above a town full of friendly people, good hotels and plenty of eateries. No fees, but we need your donations and membership in the RGSA. Come out and enjoy some of the best hang gliding and paragliding that this nation has to offer. Contact us for directions and conditions and any kind of assistance. We'll hope to be soaring with you soon!
The above sat image is dated – the LZ is now amazingly green thanks to the Free Flight Foundation/RGSA grant!
Turnoff to Main LZ, off of Fairgrounds Road https://goo.gl/maps/b4qgBUWTwuiWtWfq9
32°55'38.4"N 105°56'48.1"W 32.927336, -105.946698RGSA uses 151.505, DCS 025. We can help configure your radio for DCS if needed. This is the same configuration used by the Arizona clubs.
Details on flying Dry Canyon here:Dry Canyon Site Info rgsa.info , sites.
Steve Crye (RGSA President and Webmaster)
915-412-5769
rgsatreasurer@gmail.com
Norman Bloom (RGSA Vice President)
(575) 491-0456
