I started speedflying in 2004, using skydiving parachutes attached to BASE jumping harnesses. When we moved back to Oregon from NYC, I had no desire to take up skydiving or any other freefall sports again, but I wanted to fly. Speedwing technology had advanced dramatically in the time we were away. I picked up a Swing Mirage 11.5 and flew obsessively. The best time to fly in the Columbia River Gorge is at sunrise before the wind picks up. I would often be out there flying with a small crew at the crack of dawn, getting laps in before work.