Fossett Forced to LAND due to bad weather
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Fossett Forced to LAND due to bad weather
Steve Fossett has his hopes of a world record dashed...Fossett Forced to End the Flight Due to Bad Weather
ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, AUGUST 17, 2001, 6:30 A.M. (11:30 UTC) -- Balloonist Steve
Fossett has been forced to end his fifth attempt to become the first person to
circumnavigate the earth in a balloon. He has flown more than 12,615 miles since
taking on Aug. 4. Fossett will be landing near the border of Brazil and Uruguay,
about 90 miles from the Atlantic Coast.
"To continue to attempt the Atlantic, Steve is faced with three solid days
flying over a front," said Mission Director Joe Ritchie. "The icing risks of
that, especially over the ocean, is not something we want to play around with so
he is going to go ahead and land."
Fossett had experiencing bad weather for at least nine hours, facing turbulence,
light snow and ice.
He was in the air for 12 days, 10 hours. It marked the longest solo balloon trip
ever, in terms of distance traveled and time spent in the air.
..here it is first.........
:o :o 
ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, AUGUST 17, 2001, 6:30 A.M. (11:30 UTC) -- Balloonist Steve
Fossett has been forced to end his fifth attempt to become the first person to
circumnavigate the earth in a balloon. He has flown more than 12,615 miles since
taking on Aug. 4. Fossett will be landing near the border of Brazil and Uruguay,
about 90 miles from the Atlantic Coast.
"To continue to attempt the Atlantic, Steve is faced with three solid days
flying over a front," said Mission Director Joe Ritchie. "The icing risks of
that, especially over the ocean, is not something we want to play around with so
he is going to go ahead and land."
Fossett had experiencing bad weather for at least nine hours, facing turbulence,
light snow and ice.
He was in the air for 12 days, 10 hours. It marked the longest solo balloon trip
ever, in terms of distance traveled and time spent in the air.
..here it is first.........
:o :o
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Despite not making it back to Oz, as I understand this flight did rewrite two (maybe more) FAI records, well done. These records stand because it takes a lot of guts, determination, planning, technology and money to break them.
Well done Steve, and I hope we see you out there doing it again - inspirational
Well done Steve, and I hope we see you out there doing it again - inspirational
Well done for getting as far as he did.
'Tis sad that we are so often a nation of knockers when people fail to achieve a goal, but should they succeed we shower them with praise and glory, and claim them as our "own" - especially if a Kiwi.
The good old days of exploring are over now that most of the world has been explored or at least surveyed. People like Mawson, Shackleton, Hillary + Norgay et al inspired thousands with their feats.
Adventuring in the 21st century generally sets out to achieve more personal and esoteric goals. No longer is it the race to the pole. It is to repeat something that others have done solo, or faster, or at a different time of year or non stop. Things that on the surface look foolish to Joe Public but to the person concerned it is a personal challenge, not necessarily being taken for the corporate dollar or the publicity (though often there is sponsorship to raise the $$ to fund the expedition).
I have done some "adventuring" in some far flung parts of the world, and have enjoyed the thrill of knowing that I was the first person ever to stand on a certain spot. It is feelings like that that drive the likes of Mr Fosset to pursue his dream, and I offer him and all adventurers every encouragement on any scale, be it walking the Milford track or flying around the world in a Balloon.
Having said all that, remember how good old William Blake put it:
The Fool Who Persists In His Folly Will Soon Become Wise.
[ 18 August 2001: Message edited by: compressor stall ]
'Tis sad that we are so often a nation of knockers when people fail to achieve a goal, but should they succeed we shower them with praise and glory, and claim them as our "own" - especially if a Kiwi.
The good old days of exploring are over now that most of the world has been explored or at least surveyed. People like Mawson, Shackleton, Hillary + Norgay et al inspired thousands with their feats.
Adventuring in the 21st century generally sets out to achieve more personal and esoteric goals. No longer is it the race to the pole. It is to repeat something that others have done solo, or faster, or at a different time of year or non stop. Things that on the surface look foolish to Joe Public but to the person concerned it is a personal challenge, not necessarily being taken for the corporate dollar or the publicity (though often there is sponsorship to raise the $$ to fund the expedition).
I have done some "adventuring" in some far flung parts of the world, and have enjoyed the thrill of knowing that I was the first person ever to stand on a certain spot. It is feelings like that that drive the likes of Mr Fosset to pursue his dream, and I offer him and all adventurers every encouragement on any scale, be it walking the Milford track or flying around the world in a Balloon.
Having said all that, remember how good old William Blake put it:
The Fool Who Persists In His Folly Will Soon Become Wise.
[ 18 August 2001: Message edited by: compressor stall ]
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TB and Stallie,
Onya completely agree.
I was privileged to watch him depart from Northam (I'm still thawing out) it was an awesome sight and a chance to meet a truly nice, unassuming, gentleman adventurer.
I have been wearing the same polo shirt I was wearing then, without washing it since, and had intended to still be wearing it when I went to see him land. Sorta in sympathy for his discomforts and to keep him in my thoughts. My family are a bit relieved he's down
Like Elevator (thanks to him for keeping everybody in the loop) I recieved the regular email updates and followed his progress on the website during my waking hours. A truly inspiring, effort.
I was disconsolate when he came down, I have no problems whatsoever with the decision. I have been inside (once inadvertantly, the other time involuntarily) a couple of NW monsters and I am lucky to be here to tell you, that however bad its described it's actually a lot worse than you can imagine.
Balloons just dont have the inertia or structure to ride em out.
What if?? if he hadn't been delayed 6 or 7 hours on launch he would have missed em, but then if he hadn't delayed he might never have got that far. Lifes like that.
Well done Steve, you will always be a hero to me. It is in the nature of the man that he would be embarrassed by this sentiment.
He'll be back I'm sure.
Onya completely agree.
I was privileged to watch him depart from Northam (I'm still thawing out) it was an awesome sight and a chance to meet a truly nice, unassuming, gentleman adventurer.
I have been wearing the same polo shirt I was wearing then, without washing it since, and had intended to still be wearing it when I went to see him land. Sorta in sympathy for his discomforts and to keep him in my thoughts. My family are a bit relieved he's down
Like Elevator (thanks to him for keeping everybody in the loop) I recieved the regular email updates and followed his progress on the website during my waking hours. A truly inspiring, effort.
I was disconsolate when he came down, I have no problems whatsoever with the decision. I have been inside (once inadvertantly, the other time involuntarily) a couple of NW monsters and I am lucky to be here to tell you, that however bad its described it's actually a lot worse than you can imagine.
Balloons just dont have the inertia or structure to ride em out.
What if?? if he hadn't been delayed 6 or 7 hours on launch he would have missed em, but then if he hadn't delayed he might never have got that far. Lifes like that.
Well done Steve, you will always be a hero to me. It is in the nature of the man that he would be embarrassed by this sentiment.
He'll be back I'm sure.
