Liminator to Villanova

From: Diablo
Activity_Date: 05/21/02
Remote Name: 205.188.193.23

Comments

Eliminator to Villanova High School (Ojai).

The Brotherhood was 2-15 NW opted for the Eliminator.  Cycles from various directions.  Upon preflight inspection I noticed that my harness suspension system was badly bent.  After careful consideration launched into a up cycle only to be violently turned in front of take off.  Climbed to 3800' at power line crossing in front of the Thermal Factory.  I then proceeded to work my way east achieving the best climb rates by flying due North towards the Peaks. It felt as if I was in a 15+ headwind.

At Romero Saddle I climbed out to 6700' cloud base.  At Castle Peak I transitioned to the North Side and flew to Noon Peak, at times above cloud base.  I arrived at Noon 200 agl, needing to get up.  The cloud development at White Ledge was out of the Northwest.  Taking my altitude I headed for White Ledge on the lee side.  With discretion being the better part of valor, I decided not to pull into the lee at White Ledge. At that point I was in the flush mode at the sandstone bluffs in front of White Ledge.  There I immediately ran into more turbulence on the lee side of the Casitas Pass.  At that point being out in front of the action I took my altitude and landed adjacent to Nordhoff High School.

aircraft-ATOS