Saturday, 10/26/2013 [Weather] and [Flight Articles] by [Brendan] [Aaron] [Sundowner] [Southside] [Dave Teal] [Ken Howells]

Ken Howells Saturday, 10/26/2013 Article Copied from: http://www.crestlinesoaring.org/node/489 Submitted by Ken Howells on Sat, 10/26/2013 - 18:55

Crestline Magic October

Arrived at Crestline around 1:30 to slight breezes washing back and forth, ready gliders with pilots kicking dirt, and dust devils popping off between the gliders.

Bruce launched and reported being at 6,900 over the LZ. Ignacio went a half-mile out front before finding big lift and skying out.

I launched solo with my Falcon 3 Tandem at 2:04 and made for Billboard, getting there below the top by a bit. A solid core took me to 7 grand going almost straight up, just a little NE drift. Flew over launch and a little farther east and found 200-400 FPM that just woudln't quit. At 2:24 I was at 10,000 MSL above Crestline Top Town; I could see the RoW High School and would have had it on a glide with a double-surface wing. I made my way east straight past the Cliffhanger and got up to 8.5k again at Strawberry Peak. I flew to right above the High School, plowing through sink and dropping through 8k as I turned back west. Got above 7 again over the landslide, then got to 7 out in front of Strawberry. It was looking like a long way back to Crestline on a Falcon in a light headwind.

Got back to 6,500 just west of the Cliffhanger and then was at 5,600 over the 138 interchange after having decided against heading out the east side of Waterman Canyon. A big flock of birds showed me lift off the interchange, 200 FPM and meandering. Got to 6,200 and went back to Crestline.

Half-way to Marshall Peak, at 5,500, I found lift that drifted back to 7,200 above Crestline. I went to Marshall (7k fly-over), then circled the radio tower, then went and top-landed Marshall at 3:25.

Took off my jacket and gloves, launched again, flew for 20 minutes before landing at AJX LZ. Lots of pilots out. Lots of tales of 8-10k and trips to Keller Peak,etc. A few sad tales of sledders. No GoPro or GPS tracking of my flight, alas.

Great fun!