[Amigo] > [Mark's flight index]

Mark Stucky  (aka Forger)

Sunday, 9/3/06
No XC for 06

In keeping with my 3 flights a year, one XC attempt method of enjoying the sport, here's my story for Sunday.

Despite all the work I had to do, I explained to my wife that Sunday was my one and only XC attempt for the year.  She agreed to drive.  I wasn't about to have her drive up Garlock so it began with me climbing 700 vert feet at noon in the middle of the freaking desert with all my gear and water, knowing it was THE DAY to fly from this unflown west facing hill.

An hour later it was blowing from the east and getting stronger.  So I hiked down, close to heat exhaustion by now.

An hour later I'm on top of Bear Mt. (only ten miles away and I drove to the top) but the winds are north and launch faces southwest.  I'm listening to Diablo cruising past on his way to wherever.  A continuous thermal is about 100 ft in front of launch carrying straw to the moon.

After an hour I decide that although it's steep, it's not that rocky and I could probably survive a failed launch attempt by just tucking and rolling.  So I explain that to my son.

I quickly pull up when 2-3 molecules of wind blow upslope.  The glider isn't impressed so I start charging backwards down the steep slope.  Hey, the canopy comes up square and I even get turned around without falling.  The canopy is outrunning me in the tailwind and I give it a lot of brake but can't really run anymore.  I swing off the hill, pull my feet up to bounce off some bushes and promptly screech to a stop as the brake line catches a branch.

So now I spend a half hour untangling everything and discovering a broken brake line and ripped wingtip.  I finally get back to the car to listen to my wife tell me how much simpler a hobby like golf would be.

Oh well, there's always next year.