| Pampoenfontein :: Western Cape :: Basic | | DESCRIPTION | This is what Greg Hamerton, South Africa's premier cross country guru has to say: '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.' | 
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| WIND | | South, South West and West. | | GPS | lat/lon (WGS84):
-32.9305 , 19.0357
S 32° 55.83000' , E 19° 2.14200'
S 32° 55' 49.8" , E 19° 02' 8.5" | | | 
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| LAUNCH | PAMPOENFONTEIN is higher than nearby Dasklip and faces more directly into the prevailing thermic cross-wind (from the South). It has two launch areas. The now primary launch is new, larger and suitable for Student and Basic licence pilots. The
old cliff-launch is better suited for pilots with good ground-handling
skills as the thermals up the cliff face are usually quite strong. Both areas are netted. Toplanding is possible. Pampoenfontein
switches on at least one hour before Dasklip. Launching at 10am is a
regular occurrence in summer. It also has the potential to blow out
sooner than Dasklip This is the effect of the 80 m higher altitude. | 
| | ALTITUDE | | 770m ASL Cliff Launch. 800m ASL Large Launch | | LANDING | The official landing zone is owned by Mr Du Bois. Please always be friendly and respectful.
The landing zone is the farm land below take off on the mountain side
of the road. There is a style (structure) by the Telephone Pole and
bush to assist pilots in climbing over the fence. For those who
fly cross country, there are plentiful open flatland areas. Please
respect the landowners request and DO NOT drive onto any farm land.
Leave gates as you find them. Avoid landing in crops, there is plenty
of space about. | | CAUTIONS | From the Fresh Air Site Guide: '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 Dasklip 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.' | | PERMISSION | This
is a fire sensitive area - NO SMOKING on private property. I.E. Once
you step foot off the public service road behind the mountain, you are
on private land. We will lose the site if this rule is not complied
with. Site Fees: R30 per day to be put in the box provided on take off. | | CONTACT | Gemma Carlsson Tel/fax: 021- 689 7792
Cell: 082 564 5500
Email: gemmac(at)mweb.co.za | | SITE RECORD |  Greg Hamerton holds the Site Record 116.2 km (02 December 2006) Direction south towards Robertson Leonardo Tracklog This is his story
Gaynor Schoeman holds the Western Cape Ladies Record 102.4km (07 December 2008) Direction north past Clanwilliam. This is the overall second best distance from Pampoenfontein. Leonardo Tracklog December Blog entry
 Both flights were on Swing Astral 5 gliders
In the first week of December (2006 and 2008)
Both take offs were around 11.30 am
For more information about Swing gliders, click on the Swing logo
| | CELEBRITY FLYING SITE - ENGEN TV AND MOVIE COMMERICAL | Gallery images of the making of the Engen commerical, starring paraglider pilot James Braid Engen advert or Gradient advert? You decide :-) (6MEG video clip - link not operational) | | Accommodation |
Porterville Accommodation |
| Greg Hamerton's Fresh Air Site Guide has more info and is available for purchase on his website. |
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Last Updated ( Friday, 23 July 2010 )
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FLYING SITES 
