The Path Less Traveled

From: Chris
Activity_Date: 5/11/200
Remote Name: 64.160.26.30

Comments

Off Chief launch around 11:40 and while the rest of the group was getting up over launch, I wasn't. Finally able to maintain halfway down the spine just as Truax was coming up from twin peaks. After much frustration got boosted back to 5.5k and up over launch. Most pilots were heading East across the repeaters etc but that course has never appealed to me. Figured i'd just putter around a bit, have some fun, and bail out to Boccali's. Headed back to twin peaks and watched Christian jump across the stooges and and come in low. As Christian started getting up and Hesham started heading for west repeater I bailed from TP for what i thought would be an easy run for Boccali's. Left with 6 and halfway out realized I could take the downwinder to Summit school. Didn't quite work out that way and realized i was going to have to head for Boccali's Tree Farm. Came in with 800-1k feet over but found lift. Expected it to peter out after a few turns but 20+ turns later i was back up to 3500 and finding lift EVERYWHERE. Took the drift and rode epic convergence all the way down to Saint Thomas Aquinas. Topped out at 4600 with climbs of 1360f/m. Intersected Santa Paula ridge with 4100 just as my GPS died. DOH. Im not comfortable flying in any sort of wind without a GPS and the crossing wasnt looking especially epic. Pilots spread across the front and nobody especially high. Too much risk and I'd already had a fun flight. No point in ruining it by cheating my karmic dues. Back down the spine to land at STA. The last two weeks ive had really great flights by taking the path that one wouldnt expect to be any good. Could have easily broken over Sulphur Mtn but I'm not sure what's on the other side. Perhaps next time!