The Sierra's were breath taking The air was very turbulent and fatiguing without oxygen. I worked my way north crossing Whitney Portal, then Onion Valley and reaching the lava fields near Aberdeen.
I launched just in time as it started to OD around launch back to the South.I picked up my pace as I saw growing OD back to the South. Near Aberdeen I caught a particularly nasty thermal which drifted my out over the valley. Realizing the westerlies had kicked in, I decided not to head back towards the Sierra's, even though I was a bit too far South to make the crossing. At the center of the valley I found more lift between 10k and 13k and let it slowly carry me North up 395 until I had Black Mountain on glide.
I flew over Big Ears, and found Joe Jackson climbing at Black. I climbed for a little while but began to grow concerned about the OD to the South. I decided to get moving fast to the North. I hit massive sink at this point and found myself over a beautiful green field just past Bishop. It wasn't a crop, but just a spot in the desert with some ground water. I couldn't resist and put it down next to a shade tree where I broke my glider down in comfort.
Total Distance: 64 milesTotal Time: 3:30
That night we stayed North, camping up near Mono Lake. We found a wonderful ditch under a power line to spend the night
"Driver Appreciation Night" Copper Launch in the background.
Monday was OD'd big time in the valley so we hit a hot spring, and then checked out Copper Launch. The area around Mono lake is stunning.
Everyone Jump!
After Copper we headed back through Yosemite to home, taking one short stop to climb a snowy 11k peak.
What a great weekend. Good friends, good flying, good adventures. I love hang gliding.
2 comments:
Nice account Brian, Are those stills from your video camera ?
Also - the early crossing over Aberdeen was the right move. I left mine late (because I was low, and in the SE air, and wanted one more climb into the west to cross) I didn't get it and started my crossing at 10.5k over Keogh Hot springs I barely made it to 395 at 6k. I scrounged and climbed back up hitting the whites at Flynns. I was lucky only because I was 15 mins ahead and just barely stayed ahead of the overcast that turned the lift off. Every day has an optimal crossing point. I beleive that day was Indian head, however I have crossed straight from launch. Note the front of black rarely works, Mazourka is better, the gap is good and the south face of black is good perhaps because of latent heat from the noon (south angle). Lets go again, it was awesome.
Good to know about the front of Blacks, though it works great w an early stage cu-nim over it ;-)
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