Logan Walters
Monday, 9/30/2019

Reference: [IGC Text Data File] and [Google Earth KMZ File] or [Ayvri Web Animation] and [JPGs Pending/]

Skyport to Magic Mountain
62.3 miles (between to airborne points)
4 hours 31 minutes

Flight Article Submitted by Logan Walters

Currently my longest flight from SB.  The conditions on launch were very switchy and blowing down much of the time.  I set up high to give myself plenty of runway.  Mitch set up just below me with the Enzo.  I gave a solid attempt but the wing spun to face east and I decided to abort, my first abort in a long time but it was definitely the right call.  As I reset my wing I felt a cycle barely tickling my neck, pulled hard and got off in a lot of sink.

Made it to the power lines behind the bypass where I met some feathered friends that helped me climb above 5k.  Mitch, Marty, and Chris L drove down to the bypass after seeing my poor glide through the valley.

There was a steady north flow above 3k and instead of waiting for those guys to catch up I headed down range.  I knew Mitch would eventually catch up and I would rather fly with him later in the day as opposed to buddy flying terrain I was already familiar with.

I was on the Mantra and zooming down range, pushing pretty hard knowing that Mitch was already at 5k over the thermal factory.  At the Powerlines it is a low spot to noon and with the north flow (pretty much always) I glided cross downwind to the knuckle (The Trapezoid).  SW and SE in spots down low made for a barrel roll flight plan, this is the same as many days in the Owens.  Got high enough at Noon to go for West Divide though not that high.

I love West Divide and often consider it my favorite spot in the range.  Well established I decided to waste some energy to get to the north side of the range at East Divide.  I consider East divide a detour most days but with the high sun and north wind opted to give it a shot.  There were clouds above White Ledge and the points in front of it had been shaded for at least 40 min.  I found a nice convergence off the backside and it took me above 7k.  Before I knew it there were clouds forming below me, my happy place.  I went over to White Ledge on the north side above cloud base and was able to ridge soar the clouds.  It was super special and the clouds obscured my view of civilization.  Amazing…

Flew over to Spine One and took too many turns before continuing to Chiefs spine.  I can be much more efficient through Ojai but I was so elated by the views at White Ledge that my brain had slowed down.  Until BOOM at Chiefs spine where i ran into a 7ms climb on full bar that sunk me deep into my harness with the wing far behind me.  Spun the right side to make sure I did not fall out and climbed like a bat out of hell, so fun!  Nice clouds marking life from there to Santa Paula Peak.  I crossed the middle line which was a first to come into the Topas below the Bluffs, again struck by the absolute beauty of the day.  The views all day were something super special and truly why I fly (along with the super fun active air).

Soared up Santa Paula Ridge and got many check ins from Mitch who was about 30 min behind for most of the day.  He checked in a number of times low almost prepared to land.  I imagine that me being in front of him gave him a lot of motivation but I also don't think Mitch needs much motivation.  His drive to stay in the air is stronger than any human I know.

I went to Oat Mt thinking if I could reach 7k again it would take me through the bigger mountains with more lift.  Windy (dot com) showed the convergence through Piru and I was hoping Oat could get me there with altitude to spare.  Instead I was met with winds near trim speed and climbs to 4k.  Not enough to take me over the barren terrain I was facing.  Mitch check in at Santa Paula Peak and I reported being stuck at Oat still (around 30 min plus).  Hearing this Mitch chose to head across the valley.  I slowly plugged into the wind to try and make Fillmore.  It was demoralizing pushing into the wind but finally I saw Mitch and I saw him find a climb off the east side of town.  I made it to the climb he marked and started the slow ascent towards him.  He left at the top of the climb, I was 300-500 lower and kept climbing instead of pushing on with him.  At the top I started to chase him down and was lucky to now have him in sight.  Now that he was in front and we were close enough to be more of a team, he came on the radio with words of encouragement as I got low east of Piru.

I doubled down and chased after a murder of crows that were climbing out in a leeside valley thermal.  With that much wind the valleys are so often the place that you find those climbs but its so much better to be above them and not stuck in them.  It was not working out so I did what any paraglider pilot should do, when in doubt take the altitude you have and run down wind.  I found a nice climb finally and for the first time thought that Magic Mountain might be obtainable.  Mitch was flying fast downwind so I chased along, found a bird and slow climb back to 4k near Magic Mountain.  As I was topping it out Mitch was landing.  With my extra altitude I crossed the valley to fly over the theme park.  Ratty wind blown climbs and too much wind to try and cross Santa Clarita not knowing any of the LZs in that populated zone. I  turned into the wind and with full bar was able to make it back to Mitch.  So awesome to land with my friend after such a beautiful day.

Chris L was there with in 5 min with pizza and a soft drink.  He had retrieved all the vehicles from SB and made it there in epic fashion.

Stopped by the tips fox for tacos and made it home with no traffic and plenty of sunlight.

I think that it was possible to continue over Santa Clarita but with out the knowledge and all the wind played it safe.  We saw a nice cloud street reaching the desert that was maybe a good climb or two away.  Time to study.  The next day Mitch got back there and was able to connect, landing in Lancaster about 90 miles from launch [Link to Mitch's Index].  I consider myself extremely lucky to have him as part of the community and I always learn so much from flying along side him or even just flying the same day as him.

Beautiful day  / Logan

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