The challenge of "Mighty" Shiprock remains the same, "Fly your best and enjoy the rest." For the past 6 years a group of dedicated and fine pilots have taken on the challenge of flying over the top of tallest rock in sight, which happens to be about 1800’ above the desert floor in the northwest corner of New Mexico located on the Navajo Nation.
Shiprock itself is the remains of a very old volcano. It is the plug, or what is left of the center of a 12,000,000 year old volcano. It rises alone and majestic above the otherwise barren desert, with the mountains of southern Colorado in the distance.
Each year 28 experienced and excited balloonist take on the challenge of trying to fly over the very top of this monolith, riding the winds and steering towards "the rock." This year the event took place February 23 and 24. Each pilot chooses their own launch site with the sole objective of flying to make it over the pinnacle. Chase crews scramble to make it to the other side, driving over dirt roads and dodging the cattle and sheep that call this area home.
The Home for Women and Children in the village of Shiprock has also been the focus of the pilots generosity for the past 5 years; proceeds from the event are donated to the Home. During the last 2 years a twist to the traditional "pilot pak" has developed too. Our pilots carry with them a large package of food staples; flour, lard, sugar, coffee, candy, etc. to give to the local people who live around Shiprock, to express our thanks and sincerity for the opportunity to fly this incredible flight. Any food that is left over is donated to the Home for Women and Children to help them in their efforts. Donations from Sivage Thomas Homes of Albuquerque, First National Bank of Farmington, and Graves Oil and Butane help make this one of the most successful balloon festivals in the country, in every sense of the word.
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