Blown west

From: T. Pipkin
Activity_Date: 1/31/02
Remote Name: 209.179.232.49

Comments

I came up a little west of Parma on thursday. As much as I tried to fly east, I still missed the Parma LZ by 13 miles.

Before launch at Sky port, SD sugested to Chris & I that we should consider heading west. He anticipated an east wind, & went on to say, if the west pushes through we could possibly come back.

The SBA winds aloft forecast called for L&V thru 6k & I wanted to go east. The day before, 6 of us made the west end of Carp. & I hoped for a repeat, maybe better.

SD launched first, climbed over the Holly Hills & was gone. I followed with a different result. Once at the HH, rode the spine down to 1500'. One fig 8 away from a flush to St. Mary's, I finally found lift & took it to 3700'. By now Chad had joined me. I wanted to wait over the HH for the west to push through.

The problems started when we topped out in a thermal. They leaned so far west that if I tried to fly east to stay at the HH, I would flush & end up in lee side rotor. I had no choice but to follow Chad west.

West Bowl wasn't much fun either. Chad topped out & headed back (very slowly). I tested east but couldn't penatrate. SD convinced me to stop fighting & go with it.

Lift became abundant at the VOR, climbed to 4300'. Continued west over San Marcos Pass. The wind became more south & found myself pointing S-S/W but flying west at 15-20 mph.

5 miles passed the 154 hwy, the terrain flatened out & the mountains veared N/W into no-man's land. To continue, I'd have to follow the mountains miles away from any drive-up LZ.

SD advised me to gain another 800' before I should consider crossing the next deep canyon. While working a ridge for more alititude & thinking about my next move, I was blown over the canyon low. And with that, threw in the towel.

Pointing south, full speed bar, at 8 mph, I managed to burn 2k getting to a grassy LZ in a valley. Bumpy landing next to Tecolote Creek. Walked for 20 min., then hitched a ride to the Bacara Resort where SD & Dan were waiting.

Thank you SD & Dan for chase.