Paragliding
Porterville: Dasklip Pass

Cape Town's premier cross-country site — a dry, rocky range with the Cederberg towering behind the ridge to the east. Ground heat drives strong thermal activity, especially in summer when temperatures regularly climb into the thirties; the front ridge gives an easy entry into big XC flights over largely open, landable terrain. Porterville sees roughly four good flying days a week between November and March; a 20km cross-country flight is a realistic goal for a pilot competent at thermalling. Winter (June–September), just after a cold front, brings gentler thermic conditions over greener terrain.

Hazards & cautions

Experienced local guidance is strongly recommended in summer. Check the wind direction behind the mountain carefully — launch is sometimes in the lee of a strong southeasterly, and it's best to wait until valley heating lifts the inversion clear of the ridge. By afternoon, a southerly wind typically causes a strong rotor directly in front of launch off the spine to the left; the gully to the right produces a strong venturi that can be difficult to escape with a slow glider in a strong southwesterly.

Launch & landing

Launch is netted, just above the road at the top of the pass — about 450m above the base (700m ASL, 2900m ceiling). The main landing ("Turkey Patch") sits directly below launch around the Y-junction at the pass base; respect the working farms on either side, keep gates closed, and avoid landing near the farmhouses further north along the ridge.

Access

Via the N1 then N7 to Piketberg, then toward Porterville and north out of town to the signposted Dasklip Pass turnoff; keep vehicles well clear of the road at both the pass base and the launch car park, as the road is narrow.

Background

Recorded cross-country flights from this launch include roughly 151km north (Simon Green, Dec 1999), roughly 112km south to Franschhoek (Hamerton, Oct 1997), roughly 73km northwest to Redelinghuys (Ant Allen, Nov 1999), and a 203km hang-gliding flight north (Hugh Williams, Dec 1984).

Flying conditions