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Skyport to Ojai

From: SA
Activity_Date: 4/8/2001
Remote Name: 4.33.144.10

Comments

Casey, Kevin, Tom B., Philip, and myself got to launch at 11ish. Sundowner was already on course in his diver, and Diablo had just launched. Casey punched off first, and I joined him in the house thermal. Had to work it a bit, then headed to the factory after getting 150 over. I new their was potential for some wind later in the day, so I got on course after topping out at the factory.

I was flying my DHV 1-2 Ambar by Windtech, and I have been excited about trying to get to Ojai on a DHV 1-2 glider for some time. I really see no point in flying higher performance gliders in the mountains with some of the modern 1-2 wings. The performance trade off is minimal, and the stabilty difference seems paramount in my experience.

I had to get to the east spine at Montecito Peak, and worked up from their before gliding east. I noticed a red and black hanglider coming to join me. It was Dirk in his sport, and we had a great day flying down range together. This was his first flight to Ojai, and we helped eachother mark lift the whole way down the range. He was letting out some barbaric yells as we worked the lift.

I did get a little low at castle, but managed to find a sweetie. Once we got through the pass we were staying above 4, and I was holding the high ground. My groundspeed on my gps ranged from 18-29 mph. I was making better progress once we got through the pass. I saw John from Ojai in his blue glider fly out to Carp. He had a great flight. I got to the power line crossing 300 over, and boated to the end of the ridge, hooked some lift and put in on a glide for Divide. I came in a little low, but didn't have to wait long for a sweetie that took me to 5 and was drifting me nicely. I didn't stop for lift at east Divide, a mistake I had made before and landed out. I did some glide extenders as I flew past the small east divide ridge.

I could see Diablo and Dirk working it at White Ledge. I began climbing out at White Ledge and Diablo came on the radio saying he was eastbound with 5000. I topped out at 5200 a few minutes later and followed. He climbed out and was gone, smokin on the atos. I pulled a great glide and made the jump across highway 33, trying to work around to Nordoff. The direction seemed east, and I wasn't gaining as I spooned along. Seems it would have been a better play to get lots of altitude out front then make an agressive line toward Nordoff. I landed in an field close to the Highway 33. I felt like I slammed both my hands in the car door after a few minutes on the ground. It was cold up there.

Thumbed it back to Nordoff after 5 minutes of walking, and hooked up with Dirk as he was breaking down his glider. Scotty was coming out to get us with Roland, but Slow & Easy had landed out at Chismahoo. If anybody ever gets stuck up their, tell your chase to ask for Wesley to escort you up there if you have a 4WD vehicle. He lives in the house that looks like a barn off highway 150. This 12 year old kid had Scotty follow him all the way to the top on his quad and retrieve Karl.

Coming up 101 on the drive home the wind was howling. Stopped at the bottle shop before heading to the Skyport to get the van. It was blowing like stink up there as we drank a brew and watched the sun set in the west.

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