Real Pilots Don't Need Engines

Ace Goes Solo

2011-11-19T20:20:00.000-08:00

I've seen the way Ace has been eyeing my hang glider and chewing on my battens lately. I know what he is thinking. But, I just can't get over the fact that he would clip into my glider at 0.09 pounds per square foot so I put my foot down and take him tandem in my "27" instead.

After a pretty darn good landing I tell him ... it's time ... your going solo. He looks a little nervous, but I suppose that's natural.
I have to admit, I'm a little concerned my self as he can't touch the rudder pedals ... the airbrake lever ... the flap lever ... the gear lever; he won't be able to use the radio as he can't talk yet and the "27" isn't really a trainer. Nah ... just normal jitters I guess as I signal his takeoff roll.
Ace brings her home after a 2.1 hour flight in cold air over the foothills.
Although flying solo isn't a common milestone in too many baby books that I've read, I think it's an important mark for a five month old.

Yosemite Weekend

2011-08-30T19:21:00.000-07:00

Ace signed up as the Yosemite Hang Gliding Monitor for this extended weekend in late August. Ace is up bright and early (almost), waiting to sign in pilots at Glacier Point.

He allowed me to wire a few of them off, on the first day.
The Motor Fire in El Portal caused a logistical headache for some of our flying gang. But, as I enjoy a nice solo hike, through a several year old burn on the first day, I am reminded of the necessity of fire, as new life begins to flourish in the wilderness.
I make my way up to a European styled ski hut at Ostrander Lake, a 12.5 mile round trip.
This beautiful, high alpine hanging basket lake is well worth a big day hike.
We decide Hang Gliding, hiking and luxury don't have to be mutually exclusive, so we book a room at the Wawona Hotel. This Nineteenth Century hotel has beautiful lawns, a golf course, swimming pool, live piano player and fine Victorian Styling. It seems to move at a slower pace of life without phones or television and transports us back in time.
Cocktails and appetizers are served on the verandas. Ace contemplates whether to get a Pinot Noir or full bodied Merlot with his Cheese and Chutney dish as the waiter approaches.
Saturday brought NIL winds and humidity to the 7200' elevation at Glacier Point Launch. One is certainly encouraged to tie his shoes onto his Hang-4 feet well.
The moisture in the air made Gerry, Ace and I really enjoy the afternoon sky above the Sierra Crest which is in the background.
We all went for a hike to Taft Point. Teri, Ace and I hanging out at the edge.
Sunday it is the Giant Sequoias for the afternoon family adventure.
And finally a mellow Monday morning for the quintessential Yosemite Hang Gliding photo.

Running Deep Up The Mendos

2011-08-20T18:44:00.000-07:00

With a fresh BFR in my pocket and low pressure overhead this mid-August day looks pretty good, so I jump on tow in "JH" and head for the Mountains.

I release on the Western side of Goat ridge and head North as I look East towards Lett's Lake.

It's the middle of summer and some patches of snow still hang on to Snow Mountain.
With St. John and Sheet Iron well in the blue I keep under a line of wonderful clouds and head North, deep down the middle of the Mendos.
It's a little overdeveloped, I'm deep and far from the safety of the valley, so I make sure to stay high as I over fly Black Butte.
With wonderful clouds marking the way, I dial in Round Valley Airport to my glide computer, which lies just beyond the ridge.
I spin it up over Anthony Peak, but it's looking even more O.D.'d to the North. I'm not low, but not high either and although I'm glad to have Round Valley in easy glide, landing in Covelo would make for a long and expensive day.
So I turn around and head South, this time on the Western side of the development line. I get hit by hail and continue on to a nice thermal just North of Hull Mountain.
I overfly Hull, look down on the peak and Timberline Launch, but am disappointed to find no hang gliders in the air.
So I stay high over potential entrapment land, leave the clouds behind and head into the blue to find where all the hang gliders are. Looking down on St. John with three of the many hang gliders flying St. John today.
Unfortunately the good lift is ten miles West of St. John so I grab a few pictures and continue South in the blue, by Indian Valley Reservoir.
Back to Williams Soaring where I touch down after four hours and well over a hundred thirty miles, marking my best day this season, deep up the Mendos.

Suffering

2011-08-17T16:55:00.000-07:00

I had to go to Murphy's little shack on the shores of Lake Almanor for my summer vacation.

Bummer, house by the water, friends, ect. Oh well, I suppose I'll climb out into the Sierra blue on my hang glider while I'm there.

Because every moment can't be spent hang gliding I'm forced to find other activities. I guess I'll grab my trusty waterski spotter, Ace.
Hitting the wake board on this Northern California mountain lake.
While Ace is concentrating on his flagging responsibilities, Mom is pretending to have fun.
Time to head up the mountain and grab my glider.
The only, two for the price of one, wire crew I could find.
Off again above the Mountains of Indian Valley.
Well, besides waterskiing, sailing, hot tubbing and hanging out with friends by the lake, I manage a couple of flights. Just the norm, easy glass off conditions, circling with a Bald Eagle, landing right at a normal everyday Luau with live music, leis, food, drinks and free beer before heading back to an outdoor sunset dinner with friends. Just the usual suffering.

Inspiration

2011-08-01T17:33:00.000-07:00

After seeing me fly a few times, Ace has requested to see some "GOOD" pilots. "O.K.-O.K." so I decide to take him to Travis Air Force Base on Sunday.

"Ace don't worry about those big unnecessary things, they are called propellers."I think this taildragger, the 1490 hp North American P-51 Mustang would make a nice little tow plane.
"Even the fire apparatus are funny looking here, huh Ace?"
Mom and Ace in front of Air Force One.
Even though I'm a little disappointed that they seem to really "need" that engine of theirs, I have to admit, the Thunderbirds are some damn good pilots.
Hey, I like this guy.
Well if that isn't some good old fashioned American inspiration I don't know what is, so I decide to take some stick time in my ASW-27 today and bang around in challenging conditions at the Tree Farm area for a couple of hours. And yes, no engine here.

Tam, Ace and the Beach

2011-07-20T18:04:00.000-07:00

After a full month of life Ace hasn't had a single big adventure, I haven't hucked a flexwing off a perfectly good mountain and today is just too beautiful outside to pass up. Off to our big adventure at Mount Tam where I got Ace to preflight my glider for me.
"B" Lauch with ace yelling "Nose Down" in the foreground from his full terrain stroller.
C-A-V-U
Now to show Ace the beach.
Mom and Ace chillin in the sand.

Ace and Some Air

2011-07-15T19:54:00.000-07:00

A wonderful addition to my lifestyle has left less time for flying and none for blogging over the past couple of months. Ah yes, there has been many changes, even my trusty Toyota couldn't hang anymore, with the 50 percent larger family. So in order to drive my bigger family and live that soaring lifestyle, what car should I get?

Duh! OK, now thats settled.

On to my biggest adventure, ACE! Unfortunately I haven't been able to get him off the ground just yet, as Wills Wing currently doesn't stock anything with a clip in range from 10 to 15 pound. Instead, I have been focusing on the sailplane and getting him to solo. Teri feels he isn't ready just yet, as she indicates that he lacks awareness of ability to control his extremities, that he can't see past 12 inches, blah, blah ... and other made up excuses from her child development degree.

Not to argue, I focus on ground school instead and am very pleased that he has acquired the requisite aeronautical knowledge, even being able to plot several polar diagrams for theoretical airfoils which he is developing. His favorite time however, is spent aboard his full motion simulator with five point harness where he is working on keeping milk "INSIDE" his stomach during inverted maneuvers.
Well thats about all I can do for Ace at this stage, so today, I take the opportunity and head off to WSC to catch some much needed airtime. After confirming with another pilot that you "pull" back on the stick to go up and "push" forward to go down I jump on tow, off to Walker Ridge catching my first thermal over Indian Valley Reservoir.
I work hard and patiently climb to cloud base in weak lift. With just enough altitude, I push into the mountains where the low clouds are scraping over the Southern peaks.
At 90 knots I race up Goat Ridge.
And turn a beautiful Lett's Lake, idealistic scenery with kayakers afloat.
The clouds are obscuring Snow Mountain and others to the North, so I turn around and make my way to Lower Clear Lake.
A turn towards the valley and a tour of Cache Creek and the Rumsey Gap my the way home.
I bring it back to the strip at WSC a hair over three hours after a nice tour despite never getting above 7K feet due to low clouds. Time to get back to Ace and share todays big adventure.

Birthday Air

2011-04-04T17:39:00.000-07:00

Today is the oldest I have ever been, so I decide to celebrate ... By doing what? ... Flying of course. Nick, who is exactly 22 years my junior has the same idea, for his birthday. But, in Nicks case there is more reason to celebrate, as today is the first day the law allows him to make the right of passage and act as his own Pilot in Command. Nicks first solo flight aboard the ASK-21, image courtesy of Valley Soaring Association.

The right of passage, soloing an aircraft, includes several traditions, one of which is the notorious bucket of water over your head after exiting the aircraft. As Nicks father is a member of the Williams Fire Department, this tradition is carried out as more of deluge than the standard bucket by use of the local Engine Company, image Valley Soaring Association.
Alright, I can't top that birthday, but I can still fly, so off to the mountains aboard "JH" in tow behind "30Z."

The word beautiful comes to mind while I'm above Goat Mountain with Snow Mountain in the background.
Soaring conditions are weak, but this bare spot provides an amebic little thermal to play with.
An absolutely wonderful view to the North as I fly by Lett's Lake.
Heading back, with East Park Reservoir and the town of Stonyford under my wing.
Bringing her back home to the strip at WSC.
Although the day only provides an extended sled ride, I can't think of a better way of spending an hour and a quarter of my birthday.

Some Hang Time

2011-03-28T16:54:00.000-07:00

Lately life has been, work ... rain ... a sled ride ... more work ... more rain ... ect.

But today ... Spring is finally here, the grass is green, the sky is filled with Q, waterfalls are everywhere, thermals are aplenty and I get to write this blog with some wonderfully sore arms. In the grand scheme of things I suppose today wasn't epic. When I compare it to recent life, it sure seems close.

Catching Wave and Some Irony

2011-03-05T18:54:00.000-08:00

A wet atmosphere and rain scheduled to arrive on the ground by late afternoon keeps the crowd away from Williams on this Pre-Frontal March day. But, today I've got the bug, so if the surfs up I'm in. On the tow out, it's obvious the mountains are obscured in low clouds so I key the radio, "22Z, take me to that nice looking one over the hills, just ahead."

Nope, it dissipates before we get there and only sink is found in its place. A 90 degree turn of the tug, a little more tow time and I release at Walker Ridge where the work begins.
It's a challenge. I race to some Lenticular Fakus to get some 50 up before it disappears and turns into sink. Sometimes on days like this, I think that success is equivocal to pure desire and today I have that desire bad. But, despite putting in a good fight I'm at 5K just West of Walker and need to head out. Fortunately the only cloud that hasn't moved or changed in the sky is sitting just above the 20 Gap which happens to be on the way out. But when I get there at 4K will I be too low? Lets see, heres a small burble, time to work.
It seems like more of a convergence line then a wave so I change tactics and fight slowly towards that only stationary cloud in the sky.
Then all of a sudden. BAM ... real wave, the vario sings and I rise above the clouds.
More clouds are beginning to form and I start to see some showers.
All of a sudden it's incredibly easy to soar and I reach 9K. THE CATCH ... it's a little moist today and the one cloud that became a train of clouds, that the foehn gap I'm working in which was open to the South has immediately closed up and as I climb up that big cloud overhead begins to look a little close for comfort.
115 Knots Airspeed doesn't seem fast enough as I race North towards what appears to be holes in the layer. When I get there I find relief and turn towards those big holes to drop on through.
It seems a bitter irony that I fight for over an hour and after getting exactly what I want, I'm spiraling with the air-brakes open and damn glad to see 1200 fpm down on the vario. Below the clouds some rain hits the canopy, but thats alright, for this is where I will stay for the next couple of hours, safe and happy below the clouds.
Be careful what you wish for.

Spring Practice

2011-02-20T20:12:00.000-08:00

Dr. Jack is as overly optimistic as any Northern California soaring pilot on this winter post-frontal day. Despite an epic forecast, cloud base remains as low as the sun angle, so after patiently waiting for peak heating to occur, I take a tow and pin off at only 2K feet right above the airport for a challenging thermal practice session. I hope the unlimited post-frontal visibility and beautiful sky provide the same joy for the couple aboard the ride ship that I experience this great winter day.

The climbs are weak, the bases low and the gaggles fun as "98" moves onto my "six."
With low bases, I'm forced to stay near the airport. Oh, here's the ride ship again with a new set of smiling passengers.
After awhile cloud base rises to a whole 3K feet and I push towards the hills. Oh no, I hit OD and decide to retreat back towards Williams with the airport right on the other side of town.
Anyone can soar in big lift, but today was a challenge just to stay in the air and great practice for the spring to come. A little short of two hours, I certainly get my money out of a 2K foot tow.

Almost Wave

2011-02-13T20:51:00.000-08:00

A front coming in tomorrow tempts me to try for some wave despite Dr. Jack's advice to find an earthbound activity. Off to Goat Ridge anyway. After weeks of high pressure the air has grown a haze and the snow has become sparse.

I hunt in the rotor and catch only sink squeaking my way back to the airport with just over an hour in the air. So I wait into the later afternoon for the front to get closer, the sun to get lower and for try number two, this time, the Rumsey Gap.
After a 20 mile tow directly into the sun I release half blind to hunt the ridge. The air feels like it wants to wave as I catch 50 fpm up for several minutes only for it to turn into sink finding little wavelets scattered from here too there. Up, down, up, down, it wants to wave, but I realize I'm still a little early. So I make my way down wind over the foothills looking for the sweet spot that isn't there.
And bring it back to Williams after another wonderful hour in the air. With dusk near, wave clouds finally begin to form for my drive home as it should be quite epic tonight. A nice day back in the air with a couple of takeoffs, a couple of nice landings and a hunt for wave that was almost there.

Finally Some Thermals

2011-02-09T19:45:00.000-08:00

With a baby coming, a remodel going, overtime shifts rolling and the North East winds a blowing my feet have stayed on the ground for all, but only four days this year and we're well into February. Again today a moderate North East wind at Diablo offers an excuse to do something productive. The hell with productive, the lapse rate looks good and I need to spin some holes in the sky. Iffy launch conditions at the Tower prevail. Well if I'm patient and take a smooth enough, light enough cycle, I know I can get airborne. I do, and yes they're there, thermals of course. They're light, they don't go too high, but they're there for the first time in a long time, so I work them near Ransom Peak.

Working hard between Bald Ridge and Eagle Peak.
I find some nice solid cores out in front of Twin Peaks and Mitchell Rock, the best lift of the day.
Benching myself back on top of Eagle Peak.
My arms actually get soar as my total weight shift airtime this year is shattered on a single flight. Time to bring her home at a bumpy Mitchell Canyon LZ.
A tricky launch, a bunch of turning, a couple of low saves, more turning, rotor in the LZ and the sweetest feeling I've had for quite sometime. Finally some thermals.

Winter Wave Day

2011-01-22T20:09:00.000-08:00

Apparently the folks at the National Weather Service haven't been referencing my fire schedule when they make the weather, as I have yet to see some stick time this year. Well today thats about to change as Kempton spots a North wind wave day earlier in the week. En-route to the glider port Kempton gives me a call, "want to fly duel in the K-21." Hmm, being downwind of the airport 30 miles out in a trainer sure sounds like fun, but I really want to fly my shinny "ASW-27," maybe I can do both. From here on out the day becomes a roller coaster ride. Just like that, I'm in that back seat of the K-21, a long way from home, behind a ridge, down wind of the glider port.
Fortunately Kempton's forecast is impeccable and piloting skills make up for any lack of performance as we climb in six knots of lift.
We reach 15K behind Goat Ridge and get a wonderful view to the North.
We drive to Snow Mountain with St. John off the wingtip.
Looking NW towards towards Lake Pillsbury and Hull Mountain.
This is my first time in the back seat of a sailplane and I really enjoy just being able to relax, sightsee and learn from Kempton.
I decide to take the stick and circle around in light winds aloft, yet buoyant lift. We climb to 17.5K and decide to leave the mountains. We push upwind across the Valley in hopes of catching the Sutter Buttes Wave.
But with a headwind and medium performance glider we realize we'll never get there. We turn around and Kempton expertly performs the notorious North wind landing on 34 at Williams.
The flight with Kempton was wonderful, but I want to solo. With two hours of daylight remaining I jump aboard the mighty ship "Juliet Hotel" and begin back at square one.
The lift is even stronger, the views just as wonderful as the shadows grow long.
I quickly climb to 17K. With daylight waning, I put the flaps to negative and speed past 100 Knots. Performance is on my side as I cross over and catch the Sutter Buttes Wave just to prove it's there. I race back to WSC and have to pull the air brakes to bleed off 7K feet of excess altitude before dark.

My landing would have been perfect if it were on the deck of a Navy Carrier. Man that North wind gradient is fierce and I get a final lesson for the day. I luckily learn it the easy way. In the future I will always ensure managing my speed all the way to touch down. One day and two wonderful flights on a great winter wave day.

Soaring in the New Year

2011-01-04T16:17:00.000-08:00

Wow, I had to wait four entire days into 2011 to get my feet off the ground. Although, I did manage an apropos way to start the New Year, as I venture to Mount Diablo to meet up with my hang gliding instructor Wally who taught me the wonders of soaring a few years back. With Wally already airborne I push off Juniper Launch into a light cycle.

Wally is certainly a master of flight and has currency in fixed wing, sailplanes and hang gliders. Soaring is in his family and I often share a thermal with his wife Ginny who soars the Northern California skies aboard her ASW-24 "G3." Today Wally is on his paraglider coring a nice one, so I decide to join him.
Working hard in a challenging thermal with Wally high above.

A light day and I fight to maintain. Hey, for the first week of January, not bad.

You know when the student surpasses his instructor. Wally, you have nothing to worry about, as I fall out of the thermal and scratch down the West side of Diablo.
North Gate Road winding through beautiful foothills.
A nice landing at The Thousand Footer is a great way to roll in the New Year. 2011, BRING IT ON!

2010 - A Year in the Life of Soaring

2010-12-30T16:50:00.001-08:00

Today is my last chance to visit the sky in 2010 and luckily it looks soarable. After my morning run I get a phone message from Gerry ... "want to go fly Diablo?" I call back ... "Nah, I checked the BLIPs, there's thermal, convergence, wave and clouds over the Mendos, already got my 27 scheduled. But wait, let me see if I can get a plane with a back seat." Three hours later and we're towing into the the lee of Snow Mountain. Slack lines become more frequent and worse, damn it's getting rough. The tow pilot calls on the radio "how much further do you plan on towing?" Translation: "GET OFF TOW." When I do, yep we're in a mix of thermal, convergence and big mountain lee side rotor, wow look at that vario plummet.
After a nauseating ten minutes of bouncing up and down and never finding that magical wave we decide to leave the angry mountains behind.
I spot a nice looking Q over Walker Ridge. Gerry doesn't think we can make it. "But Gerry, we're in a sailplane." So we head over and spin it up, getting above our release altitude next to Indian Valley Reservoir.
Gerry enjoying the sights and some friendly foothill air.
After spinning a few holes in sky above the hills we head back to a beautiful and clear valley, soaked from recent rain of biblical proportion.
And put it on the ground one last time for 2010.

I met my goal to chronicle every flying day/trip for 2010. Real Pilots Don't Need Engines will continue however, I'm unsure if I can sustain the constant blogging pace and may resort to showcasing highlights of soaring life.

The 2010 Box Scores (I only keep a glider log book)

114 blog entries of only 117 flying days, 69 hang gliding and 48 sailplane.

Only 127.6 flight hours during 57 flights, Pilot in Command of a sailplane.

Average flight time 2.4 hours not including 3 pattern tows, 1 aborted takeoff and 1 instrument failure return.

Two Days Beyond The Solstice

2010-12-23T16:26:00.000-08:00

Having passed the Winter Solstice just two days ago, every day gets better, well longer and with a higher sun angle anyway. Todays forecast looks pretty good, well pretty good for being two days beyond the solstice anyway. With faint cumulous in the sky above Diablo, Robert waits for a cycle at Juniper Launch.

I'm off second and once airborne notice the thermals are weak and short lived. Despite Q above my head it's fickle and I'm reminded of last weeks short sailplane ride. It is deep dark winter after all, but you wouldn't know it looking out the window or up at the sky.
When Robert gets decked at Blakes, I realize I'm doomed. I burble down the mountain towards The Thousand Footer.
Robert says today was elusive. I say it was deep in the middle of winter. Either way, being two days beyond the solstice, it was pretty darn fun.

CAVU in December

2010-12-16T19:08:00.000-08:00

Having just begun the dark dreary months of soaring, December has brought fog, mist and drizzle with biblical rains on the horizon. But today is an exception and despite a less than marginal chance of XC it wasn't going to pass me bye. With my twenty-seven in the shop getting even prettier I climbed aboard the twenty-four "DR" for a trip into the blue.

My best chance at staying up looked to be South Goat so I released high and flew the sun soaked ridge waiting for a beep ... waiting ... waiting.
A beautiful place to slowly descend while hunting around. Looking over to see a little snow at Snow.
Wispies made some brief appearances over the foothills so I hit a couple and made some brief turns in lift.
With only enough lift to slow my decent, I headed out to the Valley. A low December sun angle, Clear Skies and Visibilities Unlimited made for a breathtaking view.
A young couple was up enjoying a trip in the ride ship on a perfect ride ship day. I added a fly over to their adventure.
After too short of an hour in wonderful, clear December air, I decided to take a couple of circuits too keep off the winter rust and dream for a distant Spring.

The Clayton Hole

2010-12-11T15:54:00.000-08:00

The winter months often bring radiation fog to Norther California which can shut down flying for days on end to all aircraft not instrument equipped. Although the fog is a common occurrence, forecasting where and when it will burn off is often a guess. However, for some unique meteorological reason, a hole in the layer often forms over the town of Clayton to allow hang glider pilots a spot to drop through. The hole is fickle, but today it formed, so I punched off The Towers atop Diablo and went for it.

A beautiful sea of white banking up against Long Ridge.
The layer can change in flight, so it is best to beeline straight for the hole.
Approaching the Clayton Hole with my Glory shining bright.
It is interesting to see the fog layer interact with complex terrain on the flight above.
Almost to the hole.
Picking the right spot.
And dropping down through.
Now in the clear, I set up for a low approach into Mitchell Canyon LZ making for a short carry.
The fog layer burned off shortly after my landing, but I'm glad I didn't wait, because it was so damn cool spinning down through the Clayton Hole.

A Fun Way To Sled

2010-11-30T17:32:00.001-08:00

The atmosphere looked especially stable at Mount Diablo today.

A sledder wasn't going to take away my fun, so I punched off Juniper Launch.
There are a couple of ways to sled down a mountain. A leisurely flight trying to stretch out the time, or the fun way.
I'm not one for extreme, so I played just enough to put a smile on my face. Here is a short video from a short flight, enjoy.

Burning Up a Sled Ride from Matt Epperson on Vimeo.

Wintertime at Mount Diablo

2010-11-29T16:52:00.000-08:00

If you don't time the winter soaring windows just right and pick any given day out of a hat you never know exactly what you're going to get at Mount Diablo. However, if normal exists, I suppose today fits the high pressure bill. Launch reveals wind 90 degrees cross and blowing down at times for an exercise in patience. But after waiting only half an hour at launch it goes eerily calm. No winder launches are exciting at the Tower, but with cold, dry high pressure air on my side and a S2 I should be able to make it into the lee side sink just fine. I pull it off and don't find rotor, just a flush full of sink. I have to veer right to miss a land out atop Bald Ridge.

Bummer, it looks like it will be a fast sledder as the sink tone won't quit as I flyby below Eagle Peak.
Yes, down low the sink tone stops. North surface winds are triggering a weak mix of ridge and thermic lift off Twin Peaks and Mitchell Rock.

Scratching around like only a hang glider can sure is fun.

It's not remarkable lift, but it sure makes up for the sink as I get to play in burbles and extend that sled time.
Wind right down the chute at Mitchell LZ makes for an effortless landing on the S2.
A nice reward making the wintertime high pressure day work at Mount Diablo.

Snowy Mountains and Thermic Hills

2010-11-28T18:56:00.000-08:00

A forecast of postfrontal conditions provokes me to take a tow from WSC today. On the way out, towards the mountains I notice a bit of a roll cloud forming over South Snow and think, just maybe ... there's enough North Wind for wave. After a turn of the tug I release to work the windward side of aforementioned cloud.

With unlimited visibility on this late November day, a blanket of white covers the landscape as far as my eyes can see.
Well I don't find the wave, but do manage to catch some nice rotor and decide to head downwind, flying over a partially frozen Letts Lake.
A cloud street marks the South Goat ridge line. I play in the weak lift and get treated to a wonderful view.

Nice Q are forming over the area and I decide to push towards Clearlake.

But with low bases I turn around and head towards Walker Ridge. I make a radio call to indicate the area is working well and soon have several friends.
"4S" working under a soft cloud.
"4S" later in the afternoon on Walker Ridge.
Fresh snow, perfect visibility, nice thermals, fun gaggles, distinct cumulous and 3 1/2 hours of airtime marks an awesome day, but for late November it's incredible.

The Moment

2010-11-24T18:18:00.000-08:00

The moment; the streamer straightens.

The moment; wings balanced, nose down and absolute confidence you will fly.

In a moment, the world changes.
You are free.
To fly.
To Soar.
A nice day of plentiful, but short lived thermals in bitterly cold air at Mount Diablo. Until the next moment.

The Wave Window

2010-11-18T19:49:00.000-08:00

In the Continental United States, normally all flight operations above 18,000 feet must be under Air Traffic Control, with clearance prior to entry and following Instrument Flight Rules. This sterile environment occupied by pressurized commercial jets rarely sees an engineless visitor. However, if the right conditions exist an Air Traffic Center will open a window into their realm and let soaring pilots play high above the earth. Today the forecast looks possible, so I take a ride in"Juliet Hotel" releasing downwind of Goat Mountain and try to catch that epic wave.
Climbing in wave I get a good view of Snow Mountain and Saint John in the foreground with Lake Pillsbury and a sea of white beyond.
The wind reaches 63 knots and at times I'm flying backwards. I try to find the best elevator up and get clearance into The Wave Window. Regulations no longer allow the altitude to be measured in feet because "Flight Level" sounds cooler. Climbing through Flight Level 200.
Nasal Cannulas are sexy.
Clouds are forming on Goat Ridge, my wave generator far below, with the sun reflecting off Clear Lake for a wonderful view as I'm parked stationary into the wind.
I find the true meaning of rarefied air. After an hour in The Wave Window I descend back down and attempt to regain feeling in my feet. Northbound over some nice clouds.
Lake Pillsbury peaking through a hole to my West.
With a Southerly component to the wind I play it safe and turn around early. I continue Southbound over the Rumsey Gap and catch some weak wave off the Ridge beyond. It's late November, yet a small fire breaks out in the hills West of the Capay Valley, so I have to check it out.
A nice view of clouds shrouding Mount Saint Helena to my West.
After an adventure into The Wave Window I get a personal best altitude of 20,700' (I mean Flight Level 207) and bring it home to Williams tired, cold and happy after four hours airborne.

Fashionably Late

2010-11-10T16:15:00.000-08:00

The only front in sight just passed Northern California and being that it's late November I better get it it while I can, but what do I fly and where? Indecisiveness slows my arrival at Diablo, but I make it and jump into the bitter cold air off the Tower Launch aboard my U2 to work what's left of the season and the day.

The sky is beginning to dry as I inch up in the light but buoyant lift with North Peak in the background.
Cu in the sky, clean air and long shadows are wonderful this time of year.
Cloud base barely crests the summit, but I'll never get there, despite generally lifty air, it's rather soft and enjoyably butter smooth. So, I work the terrain and play near Eagle Peak.
I gradually make my way out to Mitchell Canyon LZ.
And bring it back to earth on this nice late season post-frontal day.

Elusive Wave

2010-11-06T20:03:00.000-07:00

A cold front bearing down on Northern California should make epic wave conditions between 11PM and 2AM. The FAA and all their nonsense, no night gliding rules. Oh well, early South winds and a chance of elusive, weak wave is good enough for me, but I need help. I decide to shanghai the most notorious soaring pilot in this half of the state and unbeknownst to the general media strap Chris Valley into the back seat of the Duo Discus and give it a go. Off tow in the lee of South Goat I take a brief search for that elusive wave and find only sink. At 5300', 25 miles out and falling at 300 fpm with a decent cross wind Chris asks "SO ... we can make it back from here?"
"Sure ... I do this all the time." GULP
Well, I revert to me safeguard ... LUCK ... and blunder into the smallest, most fickle, weakest wave anyone has EVER caught coming off a tiny SW facing speed bump in the South Mendocino Range.
Work, work, work, in and out of wave I consider changing my vario scale to feet per hour.
Then ... BAM ... we break into the good stuff and climb to 12.5K.
A well earned climb, CRV gives the thumbs up.
We head Southbound, over Walker Ridge with Clearlake and Indian Valley Reservoir shining bright.
Across the Rumsey Gap for a nice view of the Capay Valley from up high.
And onto a big circular, sight seeing final glide, we bring it home to WSC for a well earned 3 1/2 hours on this elusive wave day.

Launching the Altar

2010-11-04T18:37:00.000-07:00

A few years back, at a knoll known of as A-Launch atop a mount by the name of Tamalpais, I was fortunate enough to perform duties of Brides Man for a wedding of good friends. The story of becoming a Brides Man is best told another day so back to "A-Launch" ... a place noble enough to usher in marriage must make one grandiose hang gliding launch. I can think of only one other launch in Northern California which rivals it's majesty and you don't have to awake before dawn to fly here. The San Francisco Bay lies to the left and The North Tower of the Golden Gate Bridge stands tall through a saddle in the hills that seems purposely placed with The City just beyond.

To the right, a timber covered mountain, before a rocky shoreline and then of course, the Pacific Ocean.
A place where my friends find sanctity in matrimony is a place where I practice my own religion, and step into air.
Majestic views are easy to enjoy when you're not hunting for lift, that likely doesn't exist.
Over Stinson Beach, with launch lying on the distant ridge.
Pulling in, over the beach.
Glassy smooth air for the turn onto final.
I love landing on the sand.
Tamalpais tends to be somewhat unpredictable with sled rides dominate. But, an hour spent atop an altar, walking into air and ten minutes of felicity, descending onto a beach, rivals little else.

A Change of Season

2010-10-25T19:12:00.000-07:00

Fall has provided a decent soaking to Northern California. With this change in seasons, flight planning also changes from soaring hot mountain thermals to one of timing the right day and perfect front. Well today doesn't look like that perfect day, but it looks good and it is late October. I give it a go and follow Rex in "22Z" out to a beautiful sky above the foothills aboard "Juliet Hotel."

Off tow under a wet sky I find the conditions surprisingly soft.
A lowering sun angle, clean air and change of seasons makes the ordinary foothills appear rather brilliant.
Looking South from the North end of Bear Valley.
I start to get a little low in the hills.
And head out to a blue Valley scratching down to 1700' before I finally hook a solid one over the town of Williams.
Since I'm Valley flying in the blue, my strategy changes. Maybe this recent burn will work?
I hook up with "1PS" for a couple turns before we part ways.
After my low save at 1700' I finally climb to 5K and push back towards the hills for another try, but end up repeating the scratching scene in the Valley. I bring it home tired and content even though I'm a little shy of three hours in the air. A nice Autumn day spent soaring at Williams.

Into the Canyon

2010-10-19T16:02:00.000-07:00

Despite a mediocre soaring forecast, a warm late fall day resides over Northern California and I take an opportunity to enjoy it outdoors at Mount Diablo. I punch off the Tower Launch into an eerily calm trickle of upslope flow after emptying all unnecessary harness baggage. I can see an inversion below launch and drive straight for Eagle Peak without hitting a bump. At Eagle, I hook some weak lift just above the peak, working my way over the West slope slightly higher.
Able to maintain, I work back towards the face attempting to grab a ticket up.
I fall below the top and crank small cores working ever closer to that steep rock wall.
Then all of a sudden, over the falls, wire twang, then sink, then twang again, then twang. Eagle Peak is certainly no stranger to turbulence around an inversion, but come on, this is rough and it is late October. I move towards open air and a place you don't want to get low in, a place with continual sink and not a single LZ; towards Mithchell Canyon.
The rock and roll fades and the sink lightens as I make may way through.
Once out of the Canyon I hook a nice little thermal above the foothills and notice some drift.
The Quarry flag is showing East. Ah ha, light wind at launch casually alluded me to descend below the inversion into East flow directly behind a big pile of steep mountain called Eagle Peak. Woops, I flew into rotor ... well I'm in clean air now so I might as well enjoy the light burbles before heading out, towards Mitchell LZ.
Bumps and crosswind as expected on approach.
But, that is what legs are for, as I keep my glider and body off the ground. A nice late fall day despite a poor choice at Eagle. Hey, maybe if I picked the East face I would still be in the air flying and not on the computer blogging.

N271JH

2010-10-10T20:11:00.001-07:00

A friend of mine recently stated that I fly more often than I sleep. This may be true on occasion as my firehouse handles a college campus and also its dorms. However, I think her point is, that I get to fly a lot and why rent a plane when I can buy one; well a piece of one anyway. Nothing but the best, I incur a partial share in the wonderful ASW 27B "Juliet Hotel." What to do with this piece on my first day; take it and the rest of the glider soaring of course.

Off tow at 6000' over Tree Farm, I hook a thermal with the Duo Discus "Mike Golf" and climb for a nice view of "MG" silhouetted against Lett's Lake and Snow Mountain.

Climbing high with"Mike Golf" as he works to get on my six and switches to guns.
Well maybe not, he continues to climb above the horizon as I head North toward Snow Mountain.
The peaks are working well today and I hook up with a small gaggle over St. John Mountain.
I retrace my route and continue Southbound later in the afternoon to say hi to Ginny in "Golf Three" over Indian Valley Reservoir.
A nice three hour flight soaring the Mountains and Hills with the Williams gang aboard the mighty ship "Juliet Hotel." I forgot to specify which part of "JH" is mine, I think I'll take the right wing, I seem to have the most pictures of it.

The Cutoff Low

2010-10-07T19:25:00.000-07:00

Cutoff lows are a fickle meteorological phenomenon which bring instability and moisture as they stagger about like a drunken sailor for days on end with little prediction if their intention are beneficial or mischievous on any given day. Well today, Mr. Cutoff Low decides to deliver a friendly sky to Northern California; so I take "JH" on a short five mile tow SE of Williams and release for a slow 3K foot spin under developing Q before pushing towards the hills.

The clouds over the foothills are magnificent with flat bases and reliable lift.
I push a little past the Gold Mines for a clear view of Clear Lake.
Back to Rumsey, then I follow the foothill clouds North pushing into a blue hole towards the mountains. Crossing the North end of Bear Valley I meet up with "1PS" for a few turns in weak lift.

The mountains look a little overdeveloped, but I have to try.

I push under the O.D. and scream up Goat Ridge.
With low bases in the mountains and some obscurement North, I turn Goat Peak and follow my trail back towards The Rumsey Gap.
After another lap to Gold Mines I head out to the Sacramento Valley skirting the North end of Capay Valley.
Late Afternoon and the lift begins to fade as thermal season is drawing near. I've been up a little over three hours, so bring it back to WSC for an infamous crosswind landing after soaring the wonder of a cutoff low.

Lee Side Lightning

2010-10-06T15:41:00.000-07:00

A cutoff low dominates California bringing both instability and unfortunately unpredictability to the forecast models. At Mount Diablo, I ponder which launch to take as both are blowing in nicely. I decide to "play it safe" and set up at Juniper as "it" is predicted to be West in the afternoon. Being set up at launch makes it start to trickle down. This must be from the shadowed ground because wonderful Q have now formed overhead. All I have to do is wait for the sun and it will cycle up again. The sun Peeks through, an upslope trickle starts and I anxiously take a L-O-N-G launch run. I crank a couple turns to get above launch, then SLAM ... Knife Blade Towards the hill and sink. I obviously fell out, muscle a roll away from the hill. Sink tone, which makes me excited because the big one must be coming up.

But the sink tone will not stop. Constant 800 to 1200 fpm down the mountain and before I know it, I'm approaching The Thousand Footer.
Sink through the entire pattern, what is going on? I approach scarily low, float high up the hill in moderate turbulence, flare the Sport 2 like mad and...
Why is the VG line ahead of me? Why was my flight time three minutes? Why did I whack a Sport 2 despite a strong flare? If you guessed, tailwind, you are correct as it is blowing straight down the mountain. Perplexed I call the Robot, 0-15 North, and Concord Airport 350 (North) at 8. Well, I just blew a really good looking day by picking the wrong launch, but I developed my new Speed Gliding strategy called Lee Side Lighting.

A Game of Inches

2010-10-01T19:07:00.000-07:00

The mountains look a little weak again today, but determined to crank and bank, my best bet is some sailplane action. Off tow at Goat Mountain in "JH" I search for lift and initially find zilch as my tow pilot graciously flies the entire ridge South reporting "not a bump."

Then, this little outcropping of rocks produces some weak lift and I take a 300' climb ending up just shy of my initial release. Today isn't going to be measured in thousands of feet and miles of distance. Today, is going to be a game of inches.
Beautiful Letts Lake shot from todays house thermal.

Despite weak thermals and low altitudes I find the flying surprisingly enjoyable. It takes a lot of concentration just to stay in the air and I'm really working my stick and rudder skills as well as the seat of my pants. It sure doesn't look like I'll make it to Snow Mountain though.

After a couple hours keeping a constant eye on bank angle, airspeed, coordination and lift I tire, so decide to head out. I find a sparse convergence line over Bear Valley which seems too illusive to work for long, but a pleasant surprise.
Heading home with the town of Williams in sight, I see the Sierras are blowing up, a stark contrast from my side of the Valley.
It's amazing that when the game changes one becomes very happy with a one knot thermal and three hundred foot climb. Today was excellent practice and a lot of fun fighting for inches over the mountains.

Behind the Curve

2010-09-29T15:00:00.000-07:00

Fire weather forecasters indicate a sea breeze will return abruptly this afternoon causing switching and gusty winds. Luckily I'm off work and what is bad for firefighting could be good for soaring. A possibility of convergence at Mount Diablo takes impeccable timing and of a lot of luck. I arrive early in the afternoon, hoping to get off the Tower ahead of a sea breeze, although I arrive just as the wind starts to blow West. Oh well, I quickly set up at Juniper, note a couple of dust devils, strong gusts and building wind. I cross my fingers and get off launch.

Once airborne I realize two things. One, I picked the right launch as it is certainly West and two, I am in sink. Before I know it I'm circling down over The Thousand Footer.
A gusty landing and an unintentional shoe ski to a stop atop the hill. Almost sweet convergence, just a little behind the curve.

Soaring the Eagle High

2010-09-28T18:32:00.000-07:00

Heat over Northern California peaks today so I decide to fly, high pressure style. Although, uncharacteristic weather for 2010, prior experience defines just one strategy to soar in these conditions. I tolerantly wait until very late in the afternoon and just as the atmosphere begins to cool, I launch the Tower atop Diablo, bee-lining straight for Eagle Peak. When I get there, yes, my vario sings.

Typical on high pressure days I find an inversion over Eagle at 3100' where I get a roller coaster ride for free. I get to soar, but my climbs have a definitive end at the fun layer.
I know Eagle is it, but I don't have to cut the same hole in the sky all day so I move out and play over the West face.
Push up and spin the North Side.
Even the well shadowed East slope works today.
After an hour the lift begins too wane so I'm out. Late day Mitchell Canyon reveals nil winds and nil turbulence for a wonderfully smooth landing after soaring a high pressure day over Eagle.

Scratch Skills

2010-09-24T16:34:00.000-07:00

When the atmosphere is stable, the sky dry, the thermals small and short lived, one must work the terrain, up close and personal; grabbing any little bubble that rises up, exploiting it for all it's worth, without actually hitting that same terrain triggering the bubble. The skill used to soar in these conditions is called scratching and although not my forte, I personally will only attempt this on a hang glider and then, do so conservatively.

With a weak forecast, eerily similar to yesterday, Gerry and I decide to try our luck at the Devil and work on those scratching skills. With shinny new gloves to help me scratch, I launch The Tower and break them in for a few turns at Bald Ridge, happy to simply maintain.

Down to Eagle Peak as my shadow graces the trail. Surprisingly neither of us find a bump to ride here at Eagle.
Lower yet, I crank small sharp bubbles.
I gaze over and become mesmerized by Gerry defying gravity on this light lift day. He says it's "good practice" despite having mastered this scratching thing.
Because I have yet to perfect scratching, I'm first to bring it in at Mitchell Canyon LZ.
A fun and challenging day at Mount Diablo, developing those scratching skills.

Trying a Soft Day

2010-09-23T16:47:00.000-07:00

The "H-Crit" looks like the heights are equivocal to elevations on a topographic relief map of the Mendocino Mountains on this building high pressure and stable September day.

But, Dr. Jack, today is my only day to fly a sailplane this week, so I'll take my chances and work on those scratching skill. Off tow at Tree Farm in "JH" Dr. Jack produces just as promised, not much.
A view North of Snow Mountain which is unreachable by this pilot, in this plane, on this day.
Failing to climb at Tree Farm I'm forced to move out and try lift on the lower slopes.
Before heading back over the foothills, en-route WSC.
The day was soft, but pilots often say, I got a takeoff and landing in. Mine happened to be a 6000' pattern tow. I think any flight is more than just takeoff and landing practice; it's beautiful, it's educational and it sure beats just about anything else I could have done today.

Getting Above the Clouds

2010-09-19T19:23:00.000-07:00

A low cloud base over the Sacramento Valley scrapes the 2130' high Sutter Buttes right in the middle, causing skepticism on this unusually wet September day. Moisture and energy are clearly in the air, so I'll play what I'm dealt, get off tow in "JH" near the gliderport and under clouds, expecting a valley day. Conditions are fun, but bases are low as I push West into the foothills.
But wait ... Why soar under the clouds and not above? "DR" states he is in wave over Rumsey Gap, so I work the area like mad. It takes discipline and patience as I slowly climb the windward side of clouds in 50 fpm up.
Then I break into that wonderful wave and climb high above the clouds.
Thanks "DR." Without any visible signs in a sky full of Q, I would have never looked for wave and likely flown right through that half knot of lift without turning.
With the sky as my limit, I follow wave South across the Rumsey gap and check out Cache Creek Casino and Golf course to my East.
Lake Berryessa through a gap in the clouds.
Northbound on the ridge I hook up with the Duo Discus "MG" for a few turns.
After a fun time above the clouds it is time to head towards Williams and duck back under. With a perspective from above I'll be sure to stay away from that cell.
Below the clouds, I see the cells furry from a safe ten miles away.
Base has risen over the valley so I decide to play. Approaching Colusa and the Sacramento River with the Sutter Buttes in the distance.
Back on the ground at WSC pilots have almost as much energy as the sky after this unique day getting above the clouds.

Good Thermals Under Low Bases

2010-09-18T17:00:00.000-07:00

In need of my weekly dose to weight shift soar, I arrive at Mount Diablo with cloud base scraping Juniper launch. The wind looks perfect as a typical winter cold front is approaching and although base could be higher I couldn't ask for more being that fall is over and winter has arrived here in Oregon. Off launch ridge lift is weak so I head out front to work below the strato-cumulus layer.
I find good thermals and spin it up below the clouds.
I am quickly greeted with wispies.
So I play near the edges.
Further away from the mountain base is even lower as a typical wintertime Diablo cloud dome has somewhat formed.
Although lift is good, cloud base is low; it's Thousand Footer time. I initially set up a bit high, but am able to pull it down between the trees as my Sport 2 has a tendency to fix problems, making any landing look and feel good.
Wait, isn't it September in California?

All Forms of Lift

2010-09-17T21:17:00.000-07:00

With a cold front brushing the Northern California/Oregon border in September anything could happen and it does, as Brian and I pilot the Duo Discus out of Williams Soaring Center.
Off tow just East of Goat Mountain in a well marked, but weak convergence line we are initially pinned to the airport. With just enough spare altitude to explore we immediately wander into a wave which Doctor Jack knew nothing about. We climb high above the clouds and get a beautiful view of Indian Valley Reservoir in the foreground with Clear Lake beyond.
Without O2 on this unplanned wave day I have fuzzy recollection of topping out at about 14K before heading South Bound just West of the Rumsey Gap.
Towards Lake Berryessa hoping to contact another wave off one of the many ridges.
Cumulous over the Capay Valley.
Without enough luck to blunder into another non-forecasted wave we turn towards a convergence line we have been scoping since our release. This turns out to be the most fun convergence line ever flown with a wonderful mix of thermal, convergence, above cloud and below cloud soaring.
WSC radios they are closing, we have been up long enough and decide to return to earth after a little taste of soaring all forms of conceivable lift on this unique September day.

A Fun Disturbance

2010-09-13T19:23:00.000-07:00

Meteorologists indicate a slight "disturbance" will hit the Northern California Mountains as it rotates off a low pressure system over the Pacific Ocean. I don't know exactly what this means, but it sounds good. Out of WSC in "JH" I get off tow at an unusual location, the South end of Goat Ridge. I follow a cloud street on the West side of Goat Ridge and make it North to Snow Mountain. Once there the lift turns on and clouds paint a path towards no mans land, much further to the West than the usual development.
Fortunately base is high and the lift is good so I follow this Westerly route and cut to Black Butte for the final big spin before venturing into the blue.
Clouds over Anthony Peak are a safe glide to Covelo and I point my nose on this continued Western path to the North.
Yollo Peak looks nicely developed but I'll have to head North into the Yolly Bolly Mountain and then cut East to circumvent a giant blue hole.
Soaring in the Yolla Bolly Mountains is just like I remember, FAT. I speed around at 100 KTS under the clouds and maintain at 13K in the bitter cold air.
I tag Yolla Peak and notice a remaining patch of snow.
On the return leg my cloud street shifts even further West to take me directly towards Hull Mountain.
High over Lake Pillsbury.
It's late afternoon and I continue South, gazing at the reflecting sun off Clear Lake.
After tagging the HWY 20/16 intersection I turn East towards the airport and look back at the wonderfully developed mountains.
A greaser landing on "16" for 167 statute miles in 3 1/2 hours. Slow for most, but for me it's good. Reading the forecast discussion in the future, I will always look for the word "disturbance."

Happy Day at Diablo

2010-09-11T18:03:00.001-07:00

At the Tower Launch on Mount Diablo Robert, Gerry and I hope to enjoy some nice fall soaring. But ... then ... a good pilot shows up. After many months away, the big guy Chris returns atop his favorite mountain. Chris is all smiles and it quickly becomes contagious.
Chris gives some last minute coaching to Gerry before launch. It sure works, as Gerry quickly skies out.
Off second, I scratch myself down the mountain, as I am the one in need of coaching. Past Bald Ridge, too low to make Eagle Peak, I fight like mad in and out of small punchy cores.
I luck out and find happy air to work my way up, eventually getting over the Summit.
Robert is off last and appears as a speck down the ridge from The Tower; mid frame, slightly right.
It doesn't take Robert long to go from a speck below to a speck above, as he climbs past the horizon. Robert ends up beating my nemesis, the inversion and eventually heads East to Airfield Kevin in Oakley.
After an hour of banging my head into the 4600' inversion I concede. I decide to go exploring instead, so off to the West.
I feel the North wind is light enough to head over the back and work some lee side fun.
I find light lift over Shell Ridge.
With North wind and weak thermals my drift is faster than my climb. I find myself spinning over Alamo which doesn't seem like much of a problem. However, a demon still exists in the North Wind as I will soon find out.
I fight the Demon to keep it level through rotor and bring it onto the lee hillside at Macedo Ranch with only a dent to the nose cone. Next, how do I explain the magnitude of this rotor to Gerry without scarring him. "Keep your speed up Gerry," as he battles the Demon. Safe on the ground a giant dust devil rips through the LZ and I contend, despite a poor choice of landing zones, today is a happy day at Mount Diablo.

Labor Day at Diablo

2010-09-06T16:58:00.000-07:00

After laboring through the weekend; if two small fires and two medicals in a 72 hour shift could be considered labor, I awake at the fire house well rested and happy with my new station assignment. A weather check via iPhone while still in my rack indicates nothing special in the soaring department, but Labor Day looks warm and most importantly flyable. Off to Mount Diablo to join the many hikers, equestrians and cyclists enjoy the unofficial end of summer as my fellow flyers are in the mountains for their last hurrah. Solo off the Towers Launch and down bald ridge.

Low past Bald I work a little burble and despite much effort find my altitude simply sustaining.
Off to Eagle where the sun soaked rock is putting off its usual high pressure bullets. Despite being the strongest lift of the day it tops quickly at the inversion and is not so pleasant to ride.
Lower at Twin Peaks I find mellow and enjoyable burbles which buy some time.
Before bringing it in at Mitchell Canyon on this last day of summer, apropos.

Beautiful Yosemite

2010-09-02T18:34:00.000-07:00

Teri and I decide to head up to Yosemite's beautiful high country for some back country hiking, but the only flight I can find is aboard a S2 and arrives in Yosemite Valley at nine in the morning.

Regulations I'm told, however Glacier Point sure is astonishing from the air.
Yosemite Falls is now dry however, it doesn't keep people off the trail, so I make the requisite flyby at Point Columbia. My shadow just past hikers at the railing on the right.
After Teri picks me up at Leidig Meadows we're off to Tuolumne Meadows for some cross country hiking. We head out near Mono Pass several miles and traverse a small snow field after passing the Eastern park boundary near this desolate lake.
At the Great Sierra Mine looking towards Gaylor Lakes.

The next day we hike up to May Lake.

And get a spectacular view as we continue up towards Mount Hoffmann.
Up higher we see Half Dome and catch a glimpse of yesterdays launch location, Glacier Point peaking at us across the valley from North Dome on the right.
The trail ends, our path steepens and we scramble up boulders.
An interesting rock formation, nearing the summit of Mount Hoffmann.
It's hard to take a bad picture in Yosemite, these and more are found in this Yosemite Slideshow. A wonderful trip, flying through magnificent Yosemite Valley and hiking above in the beautiful high country is a perfect end to summer.

Atypical August at Diablo

2010-08-29T20:43:00.000-07:00

Post frontal conditions in late August at Mount Diablo. Atypical? Apparently not for 2010. Gerry, Bob and I have to check out this blessing, so off the Towers Launch under some nicely developing clouds.

Conditions are what you would expect on a day like this ... weird, as I work out front.
Bob and I climbing below a big Q.
A parking lot full of cars at the summit, as we soar high above.
And play in the todays big sky.
After about an hour we head out and plummet like stones. Westerlies had kicked in forcing us to work lee side trash behind the quarry before landing in rotor at the Plateau LZ after an unusual and fun late August day. Enjoy the video.

Diablo Hang Gliding in August from Matt Epperson on Vimeo.

Fear and Flight

2010-08-26T18:24:00.000-07:00

Flight, in its purest form, riding dynamic air currents on engineless wings while soaring above the earth, brings emotion which is simply, indescribable. If I were to try, I would use feeble words like magical, excitement, wonder and elation in an attempt to portray being alate. Although rarely mentioned by aviators, such delight however, comes at a price. I have to admit, on occasional I feel apprehension, anxiety and even downright fear. Maybe notice of an accident, a personal inflight incident or some unjust inner sensation of this dark side which is otherwise surrounded by joy, yet certainly part of flight.

Today, while starting my takeoff roll in typical, summertime right cross-tailwind conditions on runway 34 at WSC, my right wing drops immediately and despite full opposite rudder and aileron deflection I weathervane off the runway while dragging my wing in grass as I head for the ditch. POP, like a gunshot, I pull the release, aborting the takeoff without conscious thought. PHEW. Despite an underlying apprehension, takeoff attempt two goes flawlessly. But, as I near the mountains on this 30 mile tow, turbulence increases and I'm dealt frequent slack line. Winds are in the upper 20's and I'm hitting lee side rotor. I request tow above ridge level and release at 500' AGL, immediately get flushed, work lee side thermals and climb back above the ridge.
The lift is disorganized and turbulent. I'm frequently going weightless, my landing gear is slamming into the gear doors beneath my seat and one hit sends my camera into the canopy, but despite this I'm able to climb, here in the lee.
A beautiful sight to the North, of forests, mountains and even a high lake bring some peace.
I spend about an hour working the lee, unable to go anywhere as it seems surrounded by sink. I notice a column of smoke near Indian Valley Reservoir. No, wait, its not smoke, WOW, its the biggest dust devil I have ever seen. A giant column rising thousands of feet into the air gives an image of todays potency. Lucky for me I can't get there, take the hint and head out. I plummet through lee side sink and approach the foothills where the air becomes calm, PHEW again.

Next comes the valley, but there seems to be a layer of "real" smoke. Its clear past, at the Buttes, and here near the foothills, but the middle seems obscured. WSC calls advising a fire SE of the airport with surface visibility deteriorating to 1500.' ARE YOU KIDDING ME?

My two alternates, crop duster strips, are clear below, but smoke is on the way and by the time I descend I could have poor visibility at an unfamiliar, tiny strip. Nah, I check my transponder, call traffic advisories inbound and race towards WSC. Close, I notice the fire is out and I can hang on until the clear edge reaches the airport for an uneventful landing. PHEW again ... again.

When fear and flight mix, one needs to ask if the fear is justified. If yes, resolve or prevent the origin. If no, reflect and question. Soaring is a wonderful game, played in the sky, but most certainly played for real. Well, is it worth it? For me, YES IT IS.

Beating the Heat

2010-08-25T17:49:00.000-07:00

With a heat spell over Northern California I head to Mount Diablo where I'm greeted with closed park gates. Ah, fall is on the way and there is high fire danger. Oh well, it's more of a beach day anyway and I wasn't exactly looking forward to the 100+ degree breakdown at Diablo. Why drive to the beach when you can fly. So, I take a little trip over to Mount Tamalpias where I punch off, en route Stinson Beach.

Sledding down the mountain.
A nice view of the timber and grass covered Mount Tamalpais.

Over Stinson Beach.

Looking North towards Bolinas Lagoon.
Banking it up over the beach.
A nice easy landing on the sand where Teri meets me on this perfect beach day.

Mendocino Mountains in the Blue

2010-08-19T20:23:00.000-07:00

A dry, hot and relatively calm day for Northern California. Maybe summer is finally starting, I better go fly. With no clouds to mark the lift, tactics change to intuition and my personal favorite, using luck. This means I'll have to poke around a bit, return back to previous lift when necessary and keep my glides relatively short.

"22Z" gives me a lift out to the Mendocino Mountains.

Off tow at Goat a feathered flyer marks my first blue thermal of the day. I climb nice and high above the ridge.
North to Snow Mountain for another big climb before heading to St. John.
Looking straight down, high above St. John Mountain.

Back to Snow before I try several routes North making it a little past Sheet Iron. I find the lift is working better each attempt further West so I change my plan and head towards Hull Mountain. Approaching Rattlesnake Canyon I notice the road on the left leads to a barren Timberline Launch on this midweek day.

I fly into Westerlies and sink nearing Rattlesnake Canyon and turn around before reaching the likely lift over the summit. Leaving Lake Pillsbury I notice strong gust lines coming from the West and figured I just saved an expensive tow out of Gravely Valley.
I head back East where I hook up with the open class ASH-25 "FNX" and climb over the West slopes of St. John looking towards Snow Mountain.
I finally look at my clock, WOW it's 4:15. Maybe an overload of fun, but I had no idea that it was getting so late. Just enough time for an attempt racing South. I follow my route to Goat and stop for only the best lift. I continue South past Goat and find a nice thermal over the North shores of Indian Valley Reservoir.
Further South over the confluence of Cache Creek and Bear Creek.
Late in the day after a final blue climb I race home to WSC at 115 KT for the last 20 miles and get it on the ground just after closing. Thanks to WSC for waiting, it was a lot of fun.

Struggle Over Goat Ridge

2010-08-14T19:54:00.000-07:00

A quick consult with Dr. Jack this morning doesn't provide much joy. Oh well, he is occasionally pessimistic. Off tow at Goat, I struggle, but eventually climb comfortably above the ridge.

Today, this particular spot seems to be the most consistent thermal trigger on the mountain and I spend a lot of time above it. Notice the half dozen vehicles?
I enjoy watching people float around Lett's Lake on this warm summer day.
The turbulence increases, the lift fades, episodes of weightlessness become frequent, glider control is difficult and I am starting to become queazy for the second time ever. Enough, I'm too low but off to Snow Mountain anyway. I arrive well below the peak and can't work my way on top. Sinking slowly down the SW slope I head back and glide past the foothills of Goat, pretty low below the ridge line in the distance.
500 feet above glide and 35 miles out from WSC which is beyond view looks a little intimidating.

One could say today was a failed struggle for cross country. One could say today was a successful struggle at staying aloft for 2.8 hours. I say, I struggled, I made the airport and I returned the plane the way it was when I took off. Here is a clip from the beginning of todays flight.

Landings are Mandatory

2010-08-12T15:46:00.001-07:00

Off Juniper Launch on Mount Diablo I found small bullet thermals which would disappear into thin air, on this building high pressure, mildly marine influenced summer day. Because I scratched the West side to its full extent, I would soon be coming down, once again at The Thousand Footer and could expect the standard turbulence, being that it's midday in summer. After a conservative, lift up my feet for the last oak tree approach, I got a pop and ended up a little long, over the fire road as shown below. Remember takeoffs are optional, landings are mandatory and days like today, make me really appreciate my Sport 2.

Diablo and The Thousand Footer from Matt Epperson on Vimeo.

Yolla Bolla Mountains

2010-08-07T19:43:00.001-07:00

Pilots tell stories of soaring the Yolla Bolly Mountains in an isolated wilderness with countless peaks and abundant lift. The stories have made them and mainly Yolla Peak a constant goal of mine. The problem is, they are usually guarded by a big blue hole over the lowlands South and although I've come close, I always retreat with my tail between my legs. All I need is a spectacularly good day, discipline and to fly the ASW-27B like I stole it. Today is that day.

Off tow at Tree Farm I quickly climb from 6.5K to base and head North following a cloud street splitting Snow Mountain and St. John.

Approaching Alder Springs I notice Hull is developing nicely to my West. Maybe I'll fly by later, but for now, I've got a goal.
I reach Black Butte, the last high ground before the big blue hole so I top out at 11.5K.
The Yolla Bolla Mountains are wonderfully developed, all I have to do is get there. If I'm lucky I won't hit sink and should make the glide. I just have to suck it up and commit.

A straight glide with no sink and I reach the cloud edge, climb to base and head off to Yolla Peak.

The Mountains are absolutely beautiful and lift is everywhere. I dolphin fly and explore the entire area turning both Anthony Peak and Eagle Peak without making a circle.
I head further North and make it to Blackrock Mountain (T15).
Back to Yolla Peak (Mount Linn) for a couple circles, just for circling sake.
The wilderness is awesome but its time to head back. I fly a couple miles East of Hull on my Southbound leg and check out the hang gliders, very cool. My detour to Hull causes a bit of backtrack because of cloud streets and another blue hole. I eventually continue past the Mendocino Mountains to Cache Creek at the Rumsey Gap.
And turn on final glide to WSC. A spectacular day and personal best, two turn points of over 180 statute miles in four hours. I know many comp pilots will laugh and double that speed, but for me, with my hang gliding stop at everything and fly conservatively mentality, it feels great. The Yolla Bolla Mountains is the great playground in the sky I imagined.

The Devils Surprise

2010-08-06T16:02:00.000-07:00

The Devil typically lies dormant when the sea breeze blows, during the summer months. However, with all indicators to the contrary, he can provide a pleasant surprise, with bountiful thermals, on any given day. I don't mean to allude, today was far from epic, I never got above launch, but, I pleasantly soared below an atypically thick, 2500' marine layer.

With only a trivial amount of optimism, I launch Juniper on Diablo, grab a handful of cord, point my toes and aim towards Macedo Ranch in Alamo.

On the way I see birds circling and fly through three seconds of solid lift for a second time. Thats it, I scrub the plan for Macedo, roll into the grassy brown hills and get rewarded with thermals aplenty.
The thermals continually top at 2500' as I enjoy my West side soaring with the hawks. After feeling content, I top out above the Thousand Footer and head off towards Pine Canyon en route to my original destination, Macedo Ranch.

Crossing Pine Canyon with decent altitude I enthusiastically turn towards Wall Point Road.

As I hoped, I find more lift. It tops out lower than the lift over the mountain, but, provides another nice surprise.
This side is certainly softer, so I work my way out in the burbly lift. A nice view back towards Pine Ridge and Mount Diablo.
Circling over Macedo Ranch I notice a decent drift to the North. Another big surprise today, South surface wind. This is the one direction that doesn't work at Macedo Ranch unless you like landing on roof tops. Oh well, at least I'll have a moderate uphill slope to tune up my downwind landing technique.
I turn final with a ton of ground speed.
And float high up the hill. Today, I use the technique of stopping my forward momentum quickly, by planting the nose cone firmly on the ground. Although this an effective way to stop a glider, I think with enough practice I could eventually use my feet instead. Even on tailwind landing up to ten, given a moderate slope. Although, I hope to not get much more practice at this. You can't pick your surprises, some are good and others, well, it's only a grass stain.

Fishin For Thermals

2010-08-02T15:55:00.001-07:00

My friends at Oakland send a ballon into the sky, bright and early each morning, just so us bay area hang glider pilots can get an idea how lucky we might be on any given day.

With little exception, the data doesn't change much during the summer as it indicates a well established, persistent marine layer sitting about 1500'. This tends to drive all the big trophy thermals into the mountains of the Sierras and Mendocinos. However, the weak, little and slow thermals still hide in the local hills. They're illusive and hard to catch, but still fun. I launch Juniper on Diablo and if there is one here, I'm going to find it, so I try to sneak up on them from behind on the upper ridges.
No luck with the upper mountain. Burma Ridge is home to many a thermal, so I'll fish here.

All the way down the mountain without a bite. Then, right over the 1000 Footer LZ I get a nibble.

It's a little guy, but today I'm a poacher and I'm climbing.
North Gate Road and those ridge lines might have something bigger but I'm not letting this guy go.
Well, I slaughter the devil out of that little guy and buy myself a couple minutes on the sled ride, realizing one thing. The only thermal trigger on the mountain is over the LZ, it's midday summer and it's going to be poppy coming in. I get the speed on and slide it through the oak trees, nice and low.
I still get a good pop, but fortunately I'm on a Sport 2 and get it down before the hilltop, on two feet even, cool.

Drive to O.D.

2010-07-26T18:30:00.000-07:00

Two consecutive days provide monsoonal moisture and instability over Northern California. No sense in trying to pick the best one, I'll just try them both. Off tow in the blue on day two, at Goat Mountain where I struggle to get up. I have motivation as clouds are beginning to pop over Snow Mountain, just to my North. Further, at 55 miles, I can see the beginning of overdevelopment.

Over Snow Mountain I spin it up. Late July and there is still snow.
I work North as the sky starts to develop nicely by mid-afternoon. A fun hop from cloud to cloud with lift right to their bases.

Following my stepping stones North, I'm getting closer to that O.D.

Black Butte off my left wing with Covelo over the far ridge, as I drive towards Anthony Peak.
I come to a blue hole and just beyond, BAM. Maybe this a good turn point for my return.
I work South and notice my clouds are starting to dry up. Then, GULP, I come to a 25 mile blue hole all the way to Snow Mountain, with WSC an additional 35 miles beyond. Oh, did I mention I had a 10 Kt tailwind on my out leg, now a 10 Kt headwind.
Needless to say I struggle, but keep an airport in glide, get to that cloud at Snow pretty low, climb to it's 10K foot base and have a fun, fast, 35 mile final glide, all the way home. Day two was well worth the effort with a fun three hour drive North and struggle home to the edge of Monsoonal O.D.

Almost Epic Monsoonal Air

2010-07-25T21:08:00.000-07:00

High hopes of epic soaring over the Mendos were not to be. The monsoonal moisture and instability were "blowing up" over the Sierras but provided only a slight boost, despite high hopes, over the Mendos. I took "JH" up for a 3.7 hour spin over Goat, Snow, St. John, Sheet Iron, Hull, Walker and Rumsey. Due to camera failure, only words can describe the beauty of the mountains today. The highlight of today, was a flyby over Hull Mountain, high above several hang gliders scratching low over Broadman Ridge. I saw only one pilot even with the peak and noticed gust lines from the West on Lake Pillsbury. Suspecting Hull was influence with marine air, my visit was short, as I retreated to Snow. A fun, pictureless flight on an almost epic day.

Roughing it at Lake Almanor

2010-07-21T18:32:00.000-07:00

Murphy invites some of the fire crew up to his Lake Almanor cabin for a "four day." Humm, sounds rough but, maybe I'll get some airtime.
A hard way to start each day, with a session of "morning glass."
As the day warms up, the lake gets rollers and I switch to the wake board. Man this is miserable.
Back to the hot tub for breakfast, before sailing. Very stressful.
The afternoon hits and I finally get a break. I go to Keddie Ridge, slap the glider together and climb out from launch.
It's a tough way to spend a four day but, I'm hanging in there with Mountain Meadows Reservoir in the background.
Up high, I find a nice view of the Sierras with Cummies and their shadows speckled on the forest below.
As the evening approaches the lift begins to die, so I head out to Indian Valley.
And bring it in for landing.
Back to Murphy's shack for more suffering, as I repeat the cycle.
And manage to tough through it for four days.

Hot Midsummer Day

2010-07-15T18:09:00.000-07:00

As high pressure builds over the Four Corners, the first of several hot days are in store for Northern California. I sit in "Juliet Hotel" while talking to Rex, on the 100+ degree tarmac at WSC as I wait for my tow and some cool mountain air.

When its hot, it can boom, or it can bust, as the heat needs to overcome a stable atmosphere. Well, I'll give it a try. After finding only burbles at Tree Farm, I cut to Goat Ridge, arrive low and find a solid climb that abruptly tops at 8K'. I cruise the area and hope to blunder into more, but consistently top at 8K. This is a scenic area for thermal hunting as I peer down at the campers by Lett's Lake who must be waiting for the cool evening to come.

A lone Q forms high and deep above Snow Mountain. I realize 8K is it, so off to Snow, on the wire.
The last sparse snow line on Snow Mountain in the middle of July.
I work low over Snow and get closer and closer to those ridges and tree tops, trying to find my ticket up to that Q. Strong, small bullets rocket through, the kind a flex wing hang glider is made for, but I can't core small enough to stick it in the lift and find I'm often out in sink. I remember Rex telling me how hang glider pilots often get into trouble in sailplanes because they feel to comfortable scratching the terrain so I reluctantly move out to lower ground for some clearance. I find myself below 7K and 35 miles out, time to head back. At least I have a long glide to soak in the sights like East Park Reservoir and far away cloud streets over the Sierras.
Once again no records were threatened, but hey, playing in some refreshing mountain air on a hot midsummer day was just the ticket for a fun way to escape the heat.

Yosemite

2010-07-12T10:45:00.000-07:00

The grandeur of Yosemite attracts over 3.7 million people a year. Most, visit the valley floor. Some, hike the trails and are rewarded with a breathtaking view. A few, climb the massive granite walls for adventure and a different perspective. On July 9th, only one visitor, enjoyed the awe inspiring sights from a hang glider.

Being able to hang glide Yosemite is a true privilege. As a child, an annual backpacking trip to The High Country and wintertime visits to The Valley hold strong memories. In my early twenties I climbed many of the rock walls on both sides of the valley and would occasionally gaze up, at the hang gliders.
On Friday, flying alone, amongst those familiar sights, was like a dream.
When the weekend came, so did the responsibility. One whole hang glider pilot to monitor. So, I showed Gerry the launch path.
And helped him with the precarious carry, man this guys a lot of work.
Once Gerry was airborne, I grabbed my glider and powered off again.
We drove straight for Yosemite Falls. At 2,425' Yosemite Falls is the highest waterfall in North America and one of the most popular attractions in Yosemite. There are several different ways to see Yosemite Falls. The Lower Falls are easily accessed from Yosemite Lodge. The Upper Falls can be reached by a steep 3.5 mile trail out of Sunnyside Campground.
I've got my own access, to both.

More images which don't do "it" justice are on the slideshow. The weekend was great and after flying in the mornings, Teri and I enjoyed a different hike each day. I caught my first Yosemite thermal, shown at 1:30 in the video below. By soaring standards this was a poor a thermal, but at 9 am in Yosemite, it bought me 4 additional minutes on the predominate sled ride. The video is taken from the three separate flights aboard my WW S2 and U2 .

Hang Gliding at Yosemite to Pachelbel from Matt Epperson on Vimeo.

Gliding Over The Marine Layer

2010-07-07T16:38:00.000-07:00

Observations this morning revealed a well established, deep marine layer, holding firm over the entire Bay Area. Only an extended sled ride could be counted on at Mount Diablo. What are my choices? Something else, or hang glide. I decided a summer day in the beautiful outdoors doing what I love, if only for a short time, beats most anything else. So I set up at Juniper Launch on Diablo as fog spilled around the base of Mount Tamalpais in the distance.

Off Juniper I decided to forgo a futile attempt scratching washed out thermals which would eventually lead to a breezy and bumpy Thousand Footer LZ. Instead I concentrated on my glide and figured if I could capture distance above the sea breeze, I should make Macedo Ranch in Alamo, even on a Sport 2. I questioned this move once above the no mans land of a marined out Pine Canyon but, I still made the crossing for the LZ thats easy in a sea breeze. The nice break down area at Macedo Ranch.
A minute and a half film, which is only slightly shorter than the actual flight. Ah yes, I got to hang glide.

Lift and Sink in Local Mountains

2010-07-01T21:33:00.000-07:00

My best opportunity for soaring this week looked to be over the Mendocino Mountains in high performance glass, so I decided to take "Juliet Hotel" out to Tree Farm for some soaring. I found challenging conditions but eventually climbed out for a nice view of Goat Ridge with Clear Lake in the distance.

The day was a mix of convergence and thermal lift which provided big lift and big sink. The standard spectacular views were present as I watched a couple kayakers tour Lett's Lake as I thermaled above.
I would continually top out at 8.5K with the occasionally 9K. Several attempts to the North towards Snow and St. John each resulted in being slammed down by big sink.
For some reason my heart wasn't into a nail biting glide through sink to the next mountain which would end up out of glide of WSC so I decided to stay local. Eventually the lift began dying and I moved out. The convergence line had shifted East to East Park Reservoir so I continued my local soaring over the foothills.
After three hours of stick time I headed back and arrived nice and high above WSC.
A sweet landing was the perfect end after flying the lift and sink of summertime thermals and convergence above the local mountains.

Summer at Diablo and a Low Save

2010-06-27T16:19:00.000-07:00

Soaring Mount Diablo during the summer months is an elusive quest. The marine layer and its companion the sea breeze are a constant threat which can shut down soaring. Or worse, if you find yourself on the wrong side of the mountain scare you from the air, bounce you off your sail in rotor and put you down at the crossroads, far from any LZ or road access but damn glad to be safe on the ground ... not that I would know anything about that. With finicky summer conditions most locals head for the mountains and with good reason, as some of the best and most scenic mountain flying can be had, half a days drive away. I however, find my schedule conflicts with friends, my wife, the weather and well, I can see Mount Diablo from my living room. So with a careful study and a little luck, I have grown to enjoy finding the right day, right time, right glider and right spot to make Diablo work.

Today the high pressure which was holding the marine layer and sea breeze at bay, till late in the afternoon, was also creating gusty NE winds at the Tower Launch. Challenging conditions provided an exercise in patience and I found an OK launch cycle after only half an hour. I immediately headed towards Eagle Peak which was baking in the midday sun for some thermalling.

Typical high pressure conditions were found. The climbs went barely above the summit and with respect for ground clearance in bumpy lift, I soon found myself below Eagle and trying to thermal out of Mitchell Canyon.
Since that never seems to work and I was losing more than gaining, I soon scraped through the canyon en route to the LZ's.
Unzipped over the flats and trying to study the surface winds I grabbed a bubble.
It was light but definitely there, and I was climbing.
With near 100 degree heat I couldn't decide whether I wanted to zip up again, but eventually comfort beat temperature and I was in the game over Twin Peaks benching back towards Eagle.
Teri had left the Tower earlier as I was sinking into Mitchell Canyon. Driving down with concern the sea breeze had attacked me she was surprised to hear I was still in the air. I was safe and happy but still only able to climb slightly above Eagle. I eventually landed at the 100 degree Mitchell Canyon LZ on a summer day that worked, just barely.

Almost Yollo

2010-06-25T21:17:00.000-07:00

Nice clouds popping over the mountains fill the air with optimism at WSC. A fellow pilot challenges me to fly to the middle of the Yolla Bolly Wilderness and turn Yollo Peak, a little over 70 miles to the NNW. This is about 15 miles further North than I have ventured before, but with a good looking day and a nice ship, who knows? Off tow at Tree Farm I find a decent climb, bump to Goat and top at 9500.' With a nice start off the bat I get a good view of Lett's Lake towards St. John.

I fly over Snow Mountain and continue North in a sky filled with promise.
The clouds are running only over the high ground and far West from any bailout airport in the valley. Cloud base lowers to a borderline altitude, but provides consistent thermal markers which make for good progress North. I make it well into the Mendocino Mountains to the beautiful Black Butte.
A huge blue hole lies between Black Butte and the Yolla Bollys which happen to be wonderfully developed. This is an area of possible entrapment if low and I'm not exactly high to start with. But then, I see a small cloud form midway across the hole and my ego says GO FOR IT.
BAD MOVE, the cloud dries up before I get there, I find nothing but sink and my bailout airport is in Covelo. Not wanting to land a long way from home I turn around for the reliable lift back through the blue at Black Butte. I get way low and a ridge line now blocks off Covelo. I push towards Black and hook a desperately needed thermal. After I'm well established, climb above the ridge and start breathing again I snap a picture of the tree tops.
The motto for the rest of the flight is stay high and under the clouds. I hop over to Hull Mountian and get a good view Gravely Valley and Lake Pillsbury from behind Rattlesnake Canyon. My hang gliding instructor Wally, told me never to venture over here, he probably meant on my Pacific Airwave Pulse.
I continue to cloud hop South and eventually get a little thermalling over Lower Clear Lake.
I turn Rumsey and thankfully make it home. Even though my turn points clear 300 Km, I end up 12 miles short of my goal at Yollo. Moral is, I should never have been that close, low in the blue. After reviewing my flight with more experienced pilots we conclude my last chance option of exiting through drainages towards the East which leads to a dirt strip was a viable out and I was safer than my anxiety level led me to believe. I still don't like this option, so for the future ... good judgment negates good skill and good luck.

High Pressure and High Lift

2010-06-21T15:36:00.000-07:00

After the famine of spring, early summer provides a feast, with yet another high pressure day to keep the marine layer at bay. Off the Tower Launch atop Diablo, the typical mid-day, high pressure bullet thermals with occasional wire twang provide necessary lift for some local, summer soaring. After playing on the North side I eventually venture over the Summit.
As the afternoon wares on, the lift gets better and I approach that famous XC decision point.
With Teri on a timeline and my altidute borderline, I decide to keep the best driver/wife in the history of hang gliding happy and not let my retrieve vehicle turn into a pumpkin. The next best thing, and only a few miles less, is the retrieve friendly hop towards the NW LZ's. I meander in that direction and enjoy a relaxing glide over Juniper Launch.
Because I'm not racing, I stop at everything, top out with good altitude, yank on the VG and continue on.
I arrive at Blakes LZ with plenty of altitude and decide it's safe to continue over the area of no mans land, towards Lime Ridge.
Over the lowlands I stop for a couple of thermals but the sea breeze has started to fill in and I can't make it work. Oh well, I've still got enough altitude to clear Ygnacio Valley Road and make Lime.
The arborist and avian groups apparently don't think landing a hang glider in barren foothills is challenging enough so they have been put in an obstacle course at Lime Ridge. With "Bruno's Slot" now more of a "Serpentine" I decide to go for the clear area on "Robert's Hill." After a nice landing I sure hope they keep this piece of the LZ clear.

Convergence Line

2010-06-19T18:52:00.000-07:00

Wet air spilling off the Pacific Ocean was slamming into the Sacramento Valley air mass forming a classic convergence line above the Mendocino Mountains. The only problem was, the air was too wet and bases were well below the high peaks as I towed toward the South end of the convergence line aboard "Delta Romeo."

With nothing but sink under the clouds I ventured West to the windward side where I found the lift along Goat Ridge.
Pockets of strong lift would rocket up, but, with the wet air, clouds would form instantly and vigilance was necessary to keep clear.
Although the lift went well above base on the windward side of this huge line of clouds, it laid between me and the valley. I would eventually have to go around or under it, to get back. A couple of brave pilots ventured XC to the North. I however chickened out after 2 1/2 hours and headed back. Another nice convergence line had formed on the South End of Bear Valley but unfortunately I didn't have the altitude to cross the blue hole.
With a classic convergence came the standard 15 knot crosswind landing on 16 at Williams for the last challenge of the day.

Dodging Sink to Black Butte

2010-06-14T20:24:00.000-07:00

My flight instructor Charlie told me "sink is the great equalizer of all gliders." Essentially it doesn't matter if you are on a single surface hang glider or in an open class sailplane, if you are in sink, you are going down.

On tow to Tree Farm in "Juliet Hotel" I notice "Charlie One" is down low, collecting firewood in the East canyons of Goat Mountain, OH NO this guy is good too. Off tow I immediately spin it up and wonder what could have happened to "C1." Approaching 8K over Tree Farm and planning to head North.

I top out at 9K, head North, and soon find out what happened to "C1." Where there is lift there is ... Damn. Back to Tree Farm much lower this time and struggling. Eventually, back up I head towards St. John, but again, sink. I'm not going to make it across the canyon to St. John so I peel off with a prayer towards the burn at Snow where I find a mediocre thermal and a sigh of relief.
I push to St. John and arrive LOW over the peak where I find the BIG one. The vario pegs as I scream skyward in the strongest thermal of my life. I fall out of it a couple times, which is interesting and the reason why there is no picture of St. John. I did however, get good at catching my weightless camera. Topping out at 10K I continue North past Sheet Iron. Approaching Alder Springs I hit more widespread sink. Well beyond glide of getting back to Williams I feel the pucker factor as I forge ahead, desperately needing a thermal.
Again after big sink, more big lift. Up to 11K at Alder Springs. It seems luck is working well today so why not continue North. Wow, I don't hit sink and it looks like I'll have Black Butte on glide.
At Black Butte, I'm 55 miles out of Williams with the Sink Monster lurking about and decide I've gone far enough. Hum, this sailplane stuff is an out and return, GULP, I get to do it AGAIN! Southbound over Sheet Iron back towards St. John and Snow.
I decide to continue South past Goat for some different terrain and hopefully a contrasting lift/sink pattern. Approaching Rumsey Canyon and the Capay Valley.
Nope, sink is everywhere today so I turn the canyon over Cache Creek and make it home after nearly four hours on a very successful flight of spinning up in big lift and running from vicious sink.

Big Blue Day to Mountain House

2010-06-13T21:15:00.000-07:00

With high pressure in place, hot temperatures, light winds and a marine layer out to sea, where it belongs, I decided to break my U2 out of it's garage and give Mount Diablo a go, with slight hope that today is as good as the forecast indicates. In gusty conditions with much needed wire help Robert, Ian and I successfully launch the Tower. After a little work low over Bald Ridge I find a thermal and eventually climb to 6,700'. With the Summit Parking Lot far below me, foothills paint a path down range for cross country to the East.

After not finding lift over North Peak I hit sustained sink as I head East. Seven miles into cross country and I'm down to 3500' where I find my first thermal after leaving the mountain.
I continue down the highest line of foothills where climbs become plentiful, the air is smooth and the sight of Diablo grows smaller in the distance.

Robert is several miles ahead and reporting good lift over Lake Vasqueros so I drive over. Well, my vario tells the story better than I can.

With gust lines on Lake Vasqueros indicating wind in an opposite direction of windmills spinning over the Altamont Pass we quickly realize we are in a bit of convergence. With blue sky the question is which way does it go. Well, lets continue East. Over a very busy Byron Airport with skydive jump planes, sailplanes and G.A. operation I'm glad to be high above the traffic pattern.
The town of Mountain House stands out amongst the two lane roads of the area. The recession has left some nice large landing zones so I pick one of the vacant fields smack in the middle of town with a green park, adjacent. Mount Diablo appears small on the horizon as I release the VG and sight the LZ.

A nice landing and short carry to the park with palm trees to shade me from the near 100 degree sun as I wait for Teri to arrive from her long retrieve. A wonderful flight from Mount Diablo to Mountain House on this big blue day.

Soaring a June Low

2010-06-09T17:06:00.000-07:00

In summer a low pressure system will often enhance the marine layer and make soaring go from bad to worse at Mount Diablo. However, occasionally, if the low is strong enough, it washes the marine layer out entirely providing rare pre-frontal type soaring. It seem 2010 is the year for atypical weather and today the marine layer began washing out in front of my eyes due to a strong low. I made a mad dash to get off Juniper Launch where I found a good climb over the South-West Bowl Knob.

The marine stratus layer began lifting and turning into a strato-cumulous layer as the air was a mix of ridge and thermic lift.
The best lift was found above the knob and South-West bowl.
I repeatedly went back to launch for a high pass and continually found less lift there. Teri said every time I flew over it became calm and the birds left. Figures. Teri would know as she appears below as the speck standing on launch. Maybe she is taking a picture that will appear as the second one in todays blog posting?
After an hour the sky dried up and the lift died so with a good headwind I put in a steep approach, Sport 2 style, at the 1000 footer. I believe there was an additional hour of good soaring prior to my launch today, but hey, not bad timing this June low.

A Nice Day

2010-06-07T19:47:00.000-07:00

After a long awaited change to warm weather, I was getting anxious to fly the mountains. I decided to take the sharpest arrow out of the quiver, an ASW-27B "Juliet-Hotel," up for some cross country soaring. I was rewarded with a very nice day. By no means was it epic, but it certainly didn't suck, like most of spring has, either. Unlimited visibility, warm temperatures, challenging but doable, a few Q's, nature glowing, relatively smooth, light winds, WOW.

Off tow in the blue at Tree Farm for some work climbing out before flying over Lett's Lake towards the only visible Q which were low above Snow Mountain.

The beautiful and aptly named Snow Mountain.
Staying over high ground I head North-West. From this vantage I can see the long glide from Hull to Lake Pillsbury for a hang glider. I use to make it all the time on my custom, duct taped leading edge, Pacific Airwave Pulse.
With a few days of warm weather Mount Saint John is now clear of snow and lying off to the East.
After getting into the blue over no mans land and not wanting to land at Gravely Valley I turn around just past Sheet Iron and head back towards the reliable Q over Snow.
After climbing back up at Snow and then Goat I head South towards the foothills and find big, bumpy lift over Walker Ridge. I climb to 8000' over little Walker Ridge which is nearly as high as I was getting in the mountains. I notice gust lines blowing across Indian Valley Reservoir towards Walker.Leaving Walker I hit sustained 700-800 fpm sink for three miles which completely negates my big climb at Walker. I carefully fly down to Cache Creek and Rumsey Canyon. Now low with contaminated wings I'm forced to make a conservatively slow final glide which allows me time to gaze and reflect at todays spectacular playground lying off in the distance.
A clip from the beginning and end of this very nice day.

The Marine Layer

2010-06-06T17:19:00.000-07:00

From late Spring through early Fall, Mount Diablo is impacted by many weather factors, but none so prevelant as the marine layer. Soaring here in summer takes a careful study, a little luck and a lot of trying. Today that infamous marine layer was shallow, poorly defined but well inland due to an onshore pressure gradient. Gerry and I decided to give it ago and Gerry launched first off Juniper. He worked hard out front as fog spilled around the base of Mount Tamalpias in the distance.

After several minutes, Gerry broke through the barrier and climbed above launch bringing hope for the day. Unfortunately, his time above launch was short and after I launched we were both scratching over the lower foothills.

Once over the low hills which were more impacted with that darn marine air we had little hope.
With my awesome ability to sink out first I got to wind dummy the 1000 Footer. It was a handful but I had a nice landing in switching winds. Next Gerry, with a rock and roll approach through a couple of good pops. He handled it as well as he did the days illusive thermals and had a textbook perfect 1000 Footer landing. A short flight with a great ending after testing the marine layer.

Amends

2010-06-03T15:04:00.000-07:00

Off Juniper Launch I found conditions eerily similar to those two days prior during this unusual early June at Mount Diablo. It seemed like a repeat until Cirrus showed up as scheduled.
With the arrival of Cirrus the sharp walls of the thermals disappeared and I found myself scratching over North Gate Road in weak lift.
Ironically, my visit wasn't just for thermals. For the last two days I was thinking about how The 1000 Footer let me down. I always felt The 1000 Footer and I, were in this Diablo flying thing together. It was always there for me, when I sunk out, scratched too long or couldn't get up. But, two days ago it got angry and didn't want me around. Today, I was here to make amends. Fortunately with Cirrus as an excellent mediator The 1000 Footer shouldn't be in such a hot headed mood so I headed over.

I called Teri on the the Radio and with her blessing brought it in. With the 1000 Footer in a good mood I had a textbook landing and I am glad to say we are now friends again.

Up and Down

2010-06-01T16:29:00.000-07:00

Being that I have no idea what normal weather is anymore, I didn't know if I should believe computer generated squiggly lines which indicated soarable conditions at Diablo, despite an obvious marine layer. As usual there is only one way to find out.

The thermals were wind sheared, small and punchy which required putting the Sport 2 on it's tip.
Although the thermals were snakey they were abundant and consistant climbs were found.
High Cu's began forming, however, I was on the wrong side of the mountain to break through the 3200' inversion and I would never see their base.
I felt this air mass was on the verge of washing out the marine inversion. Teri called on the radio stating I had to call today "up and down" because every time she looked I was either up or down. Here I am climbing from down to up over North Gate Road.
The phrase "up and down" would be most poignant during my landing (attempt) at the 1000 footer. With South surface wind I made a usual high approach to avoid rotor and all looked well until 10 seconds into the video below. On short final I got popped, rocked and noticed I was going to overshoot the LZ. Instead of making a futile attempt diving it in, I went with the lift, got upright, overshot the LZ and turned back into the ridge for my landing/whack. Not too bad considering the conditions. Damn this LZ can be a handful midday in summer. Is it summer?

Late May?

2010-05-28T20:24:00.000-07:00

A typical late May day would involve lift over the mountains, either high cloud bases or blue sky and an unsoarable, inverted valley. Today however, after yet ANOTHER strong frontal passage, the mountains were obscured in low clouds and the valley revealed wonderfully developed yet low cumulous, reminiscent of winter. Someone get ahold of Dr. Jack, this must STOP. Well, I'll play what I'm dealt so here's takeoff in "Juliet Hotel" for some low valley soaring.

A few minutes later I'm off tow at 2500' over Williams.
Despite a nicely developed sky the thermals are weak and cloud base is ONLY 3000.' I work towards Colusa and choose my next cloud carefully.
The valley is begining to dry up and I head back towards Williams. I follow "Delta Romeo" around a bit but its getting tough.
After only an hour I find myself low over Williams, struggling to stay up. At 1400' I lower the landing gear, perform my checklist and call "traffic, number two for landing." Circling the I.P. waiting for the pattern to clear some pilots would try using skill to prevent being prematurely decked. However, after several years of flying, I find luck to be much more valuable, so I break it out. A thermal drifts through and somehow I climb out, raise the gear and call "Williams Traffic disregard my landing intentions." I get back in the game and head South-West this time, to the foothills.
Cloud base gradually rises to 4000' near the hills and the thermals are just as soft so I don't wander to far. After playing in and near the hills I return to a completely blue valley after extending my flight to 3 1/2 hours. With a little luck I was fortunate to make the most of this challenging and unusual late May day.

Obama Says O.K. To Fly Diablo

2010-05-26T19:36:00.000-07:00

I would like to thank The Office of The President of The United States of America for his timely departure from the San Francisco Bay Area on a soarable Wednesday. With a thumbs up from Barack I got a late day launch off Juniper. I worked above launch and headed towards The Juniper Overlook.

With moderate SSW wind I cruised the ridge lift above Juniper and went towards Moses Rock Ridge in search of thermals.

Over the ridge I found strong thermals and my idea of fun.
High above Juniper Launch in the thermic air Obama and his fighter escort were no where in sight. Although, Teri is still at launch as I can see my truck, the white speck still parked at the end of the campground.
After an hour on this late day session it was time to land. Although, I had altitude for other options I took advantage of my Sport 2's great landing qualities and set up for a high and steep approach into the fun 1000 Footer LZ.

Big Sky

2010-05-22T18:14:00.000-07:00

A late and powerful low pressure system was moving overhead which brought amazing clouds to Northern California. There were areas of nice flat bottomed cumulous, over development, tall, wide, cirrus, you name it. It was an interesting day as I jumped aboard "Delta Romeo" for a local tow as a cell was closing in on the town of Williams.

With the cell coming for town, over development in the hills and mountains the nicest looking clouds seemed to point a path towards the Sutter Buttes.
I cloud hopped around the valley and choose my path carefully keeping an eye out for the bigger cells and their rain.
I Crossed over the Sacramento River near the very small town of Meridian.
I turned the Sutter Buttes which were shaded by cumulous and had the most fantastic lift of the day.
As mid-afternoon approached the development became more widespread so I made a large circular course to the North and back upwind towards Williams. Luckily lift was good and cloud base high as this part of the valley did not have a dry field to land in.
Winds had picked up at Williams, the sky was big and I decided to call it a day after only two hours playing in the sky. As I drove home through hard rain and hail I felt that it was a good call on this very unusual late May day.

Wind and Thermals

2010-05-20T15:49:00.000-07:00

A rapidly building North to South and onshore pressure gradient meant wind was coming for Mount Diablo. I was determined to get an early start and beat being blown out, if possible. I got to the Tower Launch at Noon and quickly set up in light but gusty conditions. Teri's expert wire assistance saved me from one turtle as she helped me get into the air safely.

WOW, never mind that funny dressed man in the foreground or North Peak in the background, look at the VARIOMETER. It's not even One PM.
As I spun up, I drifted back towards the summit in moderate North-West flow which increased with altitude. With the lift topping at 4100' and being leary of the drift I didn't push to close.

I eventually moved out towards lower ground and lower altitudes. Here the air was smooth and the thermals were plentiful as lush Spring soaring conditions were found.
After about an hour I noticed a light drift starting from the West. It was time to call it a day and move out to Clayton for a read on the surface wind.
I pulled off a landing at Mitchell Canyon in a bit of rotor as the wind was switching from North to West due to onshore flow beginning. An early start at Diablo paid off on this particular Spring Day.

North or South?

2010-05-15T19:25:00.001-07:00

Today was my first experience towing behind a Super Cub and I can see why the Pawnee is a preferred tow plane. With a slow climb and speed of 60 knots, a foothill tow was my only option. I released in the blue, down low, for a fight right off the bat.

I eventually gained enough altitude to push back towards a nice cloud street that connected into the mountains.
I played in the mountains, enjoyed the scenery and followed a lowering cloud base North to Snow Mountain.
With cloud base down to 8000' at Snow this was as far North as I would go. I followed the clouds back South and made a zig-zag course to Lower Clear Lake.
I hooked up with this sailplane who was out of Crazy Creek in a sweet thermal.
I continued to push South towards Saint Helena into the blue where the going got tough. I noticed a marine layer creeping inland and decided to turn West with Lake Berryessa off my right wing.

After hitting the Capay Valley I ran home to WSC tired and content after my adventures both to the North and South on this fun and challenging day. Here is a clip of a great mountain thermal.

Try Two for Clouds and Mountains

2010-05-14T17:12:00.000-07:00

With two hang glider pilots flying a high performance sailplane what could go wrong? Dave and I had a nice takeoff from 34 at WSC. I looked down, OH... NO... ASI failure on both gauges. I requested the tow pilot abort our mountain tow and place us for a release midfield. I like everything about flying the Duo Discus we were in, EXCEPT, it's less effective air brakes. Out of all planes to land with an ASI failure, this would be my last choice. I erred on the low and fast side, ground effected FOREVER, and landed nicely. After correcting the malfunction we were off for a late start to the beautiful clouds and mountains on try number two.

Today was good despite a cloud base of only 9000.' With our late start a pilot was already reporting Ashland, Oregon when we caught our first thermal.
Today ended up a local mountain day for us and the scenery was fantastic as we pushed North towards Goat Mountain after our release near Walker Ridge.
The thermals were distantly spaced down low but near base we could race in cloud suck and continued to Snow Mountain.
Returning towards Lett's Lake and Goat Ridge.
We topped out under the clouds and pushed through sink for a 25 mile final glide at 100 Knots to a much more relaxing second landing on 16.

Mount Diablo Summit Day

2010-05-13T19:05:00.001-07:00

Mike and I soar the beautiful sky in front of Mount Diablo's Summit.

At 3849 feet Mount Diablo's Summit rises high above the surrounding foothills providing a landmark for much of Northern California. Its rocky peak and sun soaked slopes intuitively looks like the perfect thermal trigger. For some mysterious reason it rarely provides lift, often is surrounded with sink and is usually turbulent. Even on days with good lift it can be unobtainable to fly directly over with some XC flights bypassing this prominent point. However, todays marine influence seemed to be impacting the lower peaks and usual house thermals making the goal to stay high on the mountain.

Since we were near the summit Bob, Mike and I each took turns playing king of the mountain. We would work up, make a few passes in sink above the summit, move out, regain altitude and repeat.
Even with bumps and sink it was fun to do flybys for the crowd.
Working nearby thermals also provided excellent pictures for driver and photographer Teri to capture.
After 1 1/2 hours it was time to call it a day so I topped out and headed towards the North LZs. Down low we found West flow and light rotor so we had to put in at the plato. Three nice landings after a fun day spent overflying Mount Diablo's Summit.

We Made it Work

2010-05-08T17:27:00.000-07:00

With a morning marine layer and moderate West wind Gerry, Mike and I decided to take our chances at Diablo with hope that an incoming low would provide soaring. I followed Gerry off launch who was slowly falling down the mountain on what I feared would be an extended sled ride. If this guy couldn't make it work I was doomed. I found myself approaching below Gerry as he was barely hanging on.

I hit an OK thermal but made it work for a rare view of the top of Gerry's glider.
Not to worry, he soon climbed past me so we could return the world to right side up. I followed below and worked the challenging conditions back up to launch level where I played out front in finicky thermals. With wind on the deck we were concerned about the 1000 Footer LZ. I was on the lowest performance wing so I got to lead and when I found myself in position, I penetrated up wind across Pine Canyon.
The usual Pine Canyon sink, head wind and Sport 2 combination put me pretty low but I managed to eek out a little circling once across and even pulled into Macedo Ranch with enough altitude for a pattern.
Gerry and Mike arrived higher and worked Fossil Ridge before landing at Macedo so trusty Teri could have one stop on the retrieve at our choice of the easy South-West side LZ.

A Summer Feel

2010-05-07T15:35:00.000-07:00

Despite an isothermic lapse rate, otherwise perfect weather was forecasted on this mid-spring day, which I felt must be spent outdoors. What better place than my local mountain. With a light sea breeze forecasted I played it safe and launched from Juniper. Summer looks like its on the way as I worked the west side foothills of Diablo which are beginning to brown.

Good thermal lift was found and then would disappear into thin air with a corresponding search mode circle in sink also reminding me of summer. Soaring conditions were mediocre as expected but it was enjoyable cruising the air in a T-Shirt, Shorts and Helmet.
A no step fire road landing at the 1000 Footer was the perfect end to a fairly extended sled ride on a day with summer feel.

Spring Soaring and Sea Breeze

2010-05-04T17:57:00.000-07:00

Off Diablo, I scratched in front of the Tower Launch once airborne on this fine spring day.

Not wanting to overstay my welcome up top, I soon drove for Eagle Peak and contacted a solid thermal to hang loose and climb in.
Eagle was letting off its typical high pressure, punchy and reliable lift. With only one wire twang it wasn't too rough, however not the kind of air too let go of the control bar in either.
Once I topped out at 3800' I drove back towards the peak.
I found lift on the way but didn't have the altitude to fully make it. As the lift seemed to be dying from what I thought was Cirrus, I decided to head out for Mitchell Canyon and take a well deserved break from coring lift.
The flag at the North end of the quarry was indicating NW so I set up for Mitchell Canyon LZ. On final my ground speed seemed awfully fast for a hang glider. GULP ... TAILWIND. A hard flare, run, run, run, I ALMOST pulled it off. I then checked, yes, straight aluminum and straight bones. The wind was rapping around both sides of the quarry as the low level prevailing had shifted from the West. On the drive home, this very apparent sea breeze was the real culprit of who had killed the lift.

Too Good, Must Fly

2010-05-03T21:04:00.000-07:00

I had no intension of flying today having spent five hours aboard a Boeing 757 yesterday, with the engines running the entire time as the airline sucked the fun out of the air. Until, I saw high thermals and convergence forecasted over the Mendos. Everyone at WSC was planning for a foothill tow, as today was too good for a "sissy" mountain tow. I requested a mountain tow anyway but my ego pulled the release over the foothills at Bear Valley. I worked hard to East Park Reservoir and crawled up Goat Mountain saving good tow money. I then crossed to Snow Mountain arriving low where last years burn fortunately worked well despite being covered in snow.

I climbed out to cloud base for an awesome view of The Snow Mountain Wilderness.
A worked East towards a nice convergence line marking it's way North over St. John.
I worked the windward side of the convergence North and would occasionally climb high above the clouds in strong upper level winds that felt like little "wavelets." Over the Northern mountains I found the cause of these "wavelets" when I spotted this lenticular cloud capping a cumulous cloud on the convergence line.
Although the thermic, convergence, wavelet above the convergence cumulous lift was great, I was 45 miles out and it was getting late. I topped out above 16,000' and turned around at Alder Springs with Sheet Iron Mountain, Snow Mountain and Goat Mountain aligned for my course home.
I maintained good altitude back and once I closed my course at Bear Valley I continued South. The lowering sun made beautiful reflections off Clear Lake and Indian Valley Reservoir.
I crossed the Rumsey Gap and turned the Capay Valley for final glide. The excitement wasn't over as I managed a bumpy 15 gusting to 18 kt crosswind landing on "one-six" at Williams after a 4 1/2 hour flight on a day that was too good to miss.

A-Shift and Big Wave

2010-04-26T19:11:00.001-07:00

Not Engine 41, Truck 41 and certainly not Medic 41; Felipe and I selected the Duo Discus "Mike-Golf" for riding big mountain wave. We towed to East Park Resevoir and climbed high in what was likely secondary or tertiary wave off the Mendos.

I pushed towards the Mendos but never caught the primary wave, only an awesome view of sun beaming upon the mountains.
A cold front was advancing and at 16,500' MSL; wind WSW at 50+ KTS, air temp 14 F. Snow showers moved in, obscured our view and with vents open the cockpit became a giant snow globe. Time to race South away from the front.
We ran in and out of wave all the way down to Lake Berryessa where we turned the Towers.
Over the ridge to The Cache Creek Casino and Golf Course.
Back North surfing good wave off Capay Valley's Western ridge until we hit the Rumsey Gap.

North over the foothills to the 20 Gap and a fast final glide to Williams. A three hour flight is condensed into a one minute video of 41 A-shift surfing the Northern California sky.