Re: Dry Canyon x2

From: Randall
Activity_Date: 5/19/02
Remote Name: 216.86.200.221

Comments

Interesting day. I launched into a nice cycle and got right up over launch, but by the time I headed out to the front knoll the lift was tight and weak, with sink everywhere. Despite Eddie's handy thermal coaching over the radio, I soon flushed into the canyon and was looking for a landing spot next to the trail, almost convinced I would have my first ever hike-out. But I found some zero-sink a few hundred feet AGL and worked it for about 20 minutes, turning circles in the same spot, just hoping to get enough altitude to make it over the rocks to the road.

The lift gradually strengthened as the day wore on and before long I found myself back at launch height and then over 8k. Headed back to the ridge and struggled for another 20 minutes to get the 8500 feet that Eddie assured me would let me go OTB towards Cuyama (with a south tail-wind). I got whipped around so hard and fast by one thermal that I nearly blacked out for a second and after that was always fighting some degree of dizziness and nausea.

Though the drift was out of the W/SW and Lockwood seemed to be the call, I decided to head up Cuyama River for a shorter XC, since I wasn't sure I wanted to be in the air much longer. En route, I ran into what must have been the convergence and turned lazy circles in the smooth, cool lift until I topped out at just over 10k.

The west wind grew stronger as I headed up Cuyama, and Hesham and Eddie were in chase below, reporting 15+ in the Halfway House LZ. I opted to turn tail and run east with the wind. My glide took me at 35 mph towards Dry Canyon, where I ran into mucho lift over the foothills. Eddie was urging me to work it back up to 9k and go for Lockwood Valley, but I was now sweltering in the heat and torn between ripping off my jacket and puking.

A landing seemed the most sensible option. Bumpy approach amidst the thermals in the dry field, but an uneventful landing (after 2 hours in the air). All in all, a challenging, educational and rewarding day.

Thanks, Eddie and Hesham -- good flying with both of you!