Chris Ballmer  aka gracecab
Wednesday, February 11, 2014

Article Copied from: http://scpa.info/bb/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=3152
Posted by gracecab » Wed Feb 11, 2015 2:14 pm

Radioactive Wednesday

Skyport, 11:30 launch, wind-W about 5mph+ except about to 200ft in Parma LZ which was calm.

Matt H and Tahoe Eric and I only PGs with Eagle Van.  Whaaaaa?  Good company.  Group of 4? HGs at Eliminator.

I launched first, to get back to work soon, but was secretly hoping for a stellar climb out, and a good reason to get back late ... hey, I clocked out so I'm not getting paid anyway.  Did a couple turns about even with launch but without more, had already decided I was going straight with the W wind towards antenna farm (but hopefully up face of thermal factory if lifty)... came around the corner over the road near the two tallest antennas, and basically ended up finding a constant heat source to the E of the antenna building leeside of wind.

Tried and tried and tried again to get high and finally with enough, jumped back to the lowest part of the thermal factory face... so that was kind of a first for me, that is, attempting a bench up... making some height, and heading for the wall... all on purpose with forethought and planning... lol... unfortunately didn't find the thermal that would get me back UP the hill , so kept over the antennas and finally roundhouse ridge and home.  Very lifty around Monastery Ridge, and over houses and I'm having fun learning to work thermals whatever shape they come at me... also, not just giving up when I get near Parma... I'm finding there can be minutes added to my ride if I think light.. and be a conservative flyer, expecting to get thermals anywhere I may be - lift is where you find it.

One thing, I don't necessarily like flying so close to the metal enema spines of antennas.  I try to go around all the time, but sometimes you have to follow the thermal.  It's a reminder to me that we are taking risk all the time, and to not lower my risk-threshold for convenience sake.  As I find my skill and confidence grow, I must add to it a mental discipline to stay safe.  Wind is blind, gravity doesn't care if I'm skilled or not, weather is just loaning me her space for now..  and that is what makes this an amazing adventure.

Also, this is the first time I continually felt the 'diving into' the thermals as they hit.  I could tell definitely that I was going into a thermal even BEFORE my VARIO started beeping... I FELT it!!!  That was cool.  Sometimes had the left or right bump also of the drawing.  Man thermals are crazy.  They have their own personality, and we have a brief relationship with each one.  Some are very welcoming some spank you...  hope that doesn't seem too wierd.  Anyways, back to work.

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