Owens Valley

happy clouds forming over petroglyphs

With one launch from Piute and two from Walt's Point, but no real long-distance flights logged, (Lionel had the longest with almost 15 miles), I didn't get to test my driving and navigation skills much over Memorial weekend. The Owens were still absolutely beautiful though, and not the worst place to hang out even if you don't get long flights in.

I was (obviously) not concerned with getting conditions for long-distance flights for myself, and was very happy that everyone put in an effort to find me some launchable conditions so that I could have some flying to show for the weekend. Knowing that my glider was on the car, I was pretty much itching to get a flight in, and we made it over to Flynn's, a 1200 ft training hill which would take me to an LZ about 5500 ft above sea level - making it the highest I had ever landed.

When we got there the winds were coming in at around 15, but occasionally reaching as high as 23, which is why I set up faster than I ever have, determined not to miss my window before it got too strong. Thankfully, the winds died down a little, and I launched at 7pm into a smooth 10mph cycle which quickly took me above launch. I soared the ridge for a while until I fell out of it and headed for the LZ. I quickly flew into a few other workable thermals, and almost worked my way up to launch-height again. This is at least what I have been told by those standing on launch watching me, as I found it nearly impossible to discern what altitude I was at, having to measure it by either sagebrushes, tiny knobs or the actual Sierras (both a daunting and impossible task.)

Before I went up I was told that my roundout would be shorter and my flare-timing earlier, which ended up being a little more no roundout at all and flaretiming? I flintstoned it in, but managed not to hurt myself or the glider, thankfully.

All in all, I had a great trip, which has left me more prepared to navigate the Owens as a driver on a trip with more long-distance flights.

Log: helmet girl - 1 flight from Flynn's (25 minutes)