Just Chillin and Hangin Out! BLT-18 found a tree just 100 feet from the Colorado River about 9.3 miles NNE of the Wharton Regional Airport. The parachute and balloon were caught in the top of the tree. The main payload landed in some branches just a bit down from the top, while the Radiation Experiment container dangled below it all, but still too high to grab. (K5SAF photo)
The younger guys were ready to climb to the peak! Well, actually, they were in pursuit of logical ways to make the payloads come to us. After some study, we went with Plan A; throw a rock with a rope attached over the Radiation Experiment, and then yank it all down.
Try it again! Try it again!
Doug KC5VYZ and Craig WD5BDX check out the Colorado River. WOW! WE GOT CLOSE!
Dave WD8RZA and Charlie K5ENG did some Heavy-Duty pulling on the rope after a super pitch got the rope where we wanted it. The result? We got it ALL back!!
Just Chillin and Hangin Out a little lower! MUCH BETTER!! (K5SAF photo)
What DO you do with a large sheet of light-tan-colored balloon latex??? Any SAFE balloonatic with tell you, that you put it on over your head and WEAR it!! ...why are they smiling?
Tom K5SAF, Doug KC5VYZ, Latex Man and Charlie K5ENG investigate the amazing recovery success!
Back at the Main Dirt Road... Doug cools down. Dave extracts the temperature recorders for delivery to Mikey KK5SC, and Mike WA5TWT secures the ATV receive gear, while BLT-18 takes a break!
The Dedicated - The Few - The BLT-18 Recovery Team! From L to R: WA5TWT, WA5WOD, AC5VF, KC5VYZ, AB5SS, WB5QCC, N5MT, KD5ELH and WD8RZA.
Did we have an angel with us?? Well, maybe not that we (WD5BDX, WA5WOD & WB5QCC) could see... that's just John AB5SS sporting the halo. It's time to get out and head for Hinze's and Texas-Style BBQ!!
Congratulations to ALL!!. WE WIN!! ALL systems were fully operational, and we had a blast - to 92,685 feet and BACK!! It's become a tradition to have a celebration dinner immediately after recovery of the payloads. This was no exception and Hinze's was the closest and the best BBQ around. (K5SAF photo)
Recovery happened at 3 PM on August 25, 2001 from deep in the woods. Were you there?!? WE WERE!!!
BLT-19?? Stay tuned...