La Salina/Torrey Pines

From: Dan
Activity_Date: 4/4/01
Remote Name: 24.8.188.224

Comments

My daughter, Catie, and I took off Monday 4/3 to make a quick trip to south of the border. On our way we stopped at Torrey Pines around 1:00 and it was too cross. Rats....

Catie and I continued on our way to Mexico. We arrived at La Salina around 2:30. The wind at the LZ at La Salina was almost straight in. Wind speed was 5/7. The two of us hiked up launch but the wind was in excess of 20 at launch. As I readied myself it seemed like the wind was picking up. I was concerned about such a high wind launch without help but I said I am here so lets go for it. After being lifted straight up as soon as my wing was overhead about 10' and blown back a couple of times I tried various unbefore used techniques. "B" lines, "C" lines, etc all to no avail. About the only thing that almost worked was an unintentional "big ears" without my brakes in my hand, but by the time I tried to grab my brakes the rotor had its way. After 45min + of abuse I packed up and walked down.

We opted for a more horse sense alternative. A horse ride on the beach.

Today, 4/4, on our way home we stopped at Torrey Pines again. The wind was more direct and fairly strong. But not quite like the day before at La Salina. I still needed some assistance being pushed over the edge but once up I found a sweet spot and was soon 1000+ agl. Not wanting to over do my daughter's generosity I landed after 45 min.

Dan