Whacky Day at the Nuthouse

From: Ron Faoro
Activity_Date: 3/3/01
Remote Name: 165.247.232.65

Comments

Four intrepid pilots set out for the Nuthouse, their fearless leader not worried about 15-20 mph east winds. We started hiking at 9:00 AM; the walk-up isn't half bad when the temperature is only 50 degrees. Sundowner, Bob H., Benson and I reached launch in 45 minutes.

There was a great cycle when I launched and I hung on as my wing bucked and snorted. I had a devil of a time trying to 360 because the wind and thermal kept spitting me out the side. SD launched right after and showed how to do it as he took the escalator straight up the ridge. We both connected and in no time were 400 over. SD got one of his major thrills of the day when I shouted down to him, "Heads up!", as his vastly superior wing rocketed up toward me while we both circled left. He gave a holler as we passed within ten feet of each other. I had started the turn over fifty feet higher than him, but that was the nature of the thermal and his coring it while I skirted the edge. Being on top, it was my responsibility. As Bob said afterward, a push-to-talk would have helped. As it was, Bob and Benson almost got to see some wing-walking from down on launch. SD gave me wider berth after that, although we shared several thermals.

Tom made a few plays toward Nordoff, but the strong east wind made those unfruitful. Finally, as we both topped out in the same thermal, I heard him say on the radio that he was "heading uphill." I dutifully pointed east and tried to penetrate, only seeing Tom crossing highway 33 when I turned around due to the wind. Tom got a great glide and I watched him catch a beautiful thermal out front of the ridge across the highway. That was it, he was gone. He made it to SBCC and was at 4200' over Bates on the way, although there was a report of tight sphincter due to the wind at White Ledge.

Bob was now in the air with Benson around launch. The sky overdeveloped and the lift got weaker. We were barely able to hang around at 2000-2500 feet. Benson did some serious scratching before landing at the Nuthouse. Bob took off south and explored a ridge or two before having to land on highway 33, competing with an arrogant driver for right of way. I decided to stick it out and went looking for lift in front and behind launch in the big bowl north of there. The conditions improved and I slowly made it back to the top after 30 minutes. I could only top out at 3600-4000 and my three trips east met with failure. The last cruise to "Spine One" showed me some very strange air. Up and down, no ability to penetrate and some abrupt turns. Kind of like a washing machine on "delicates." So I headed across hwy. 33 with 3600 feet and came in on the sunny slope right at the mid-peak I wanted. The bushes were shaking with promise, but the lift was weak and I landed at the orange pasture at the base of the ridge. Very nice owner and workers, they gave me a ride to the Nuthouse. One hour and fifty minutes flight time.

Meanwhile, the biggest event of the day was taking place! Benson and Bob were halfway up to launch for the SECOND TIME! Is that macho or what? A first that made me proud they flew with me. Of course, such foolishness is seldom rewarded. They found a harsh east wind at launch and poor lift. Both did scary sled rides to the Nuthouse. I'll let Benson tell you about his trip through the bushes hanging on for dear life. Yee will never get those stains out. At least it was good for a few laughs over beer at the Deer Lodge.