Re: Walt's Point on Saturday - Thanks Bob A
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Posted:
Tue Sep 08, 2009 5:51 pm
by tom mayer
Well, last Sat/Sun was my re-introduction to Owens having last flown there in 1977. My last flight was at Gunter, where I spent a few thousand feet sitting in the sail of my upside down glider, thinking, "this ain't coastal flyin'" Things went much better this time around! I was almost last to launch at about 1:30. Despite sporting a harness weighted down with H2O, Electrolite recovery liquid, peanuts, a flashlight, survival tool, radio, and oxygen system, I was rewarded with a nice climb out and on my way North. Climbed out to +13,000 and headed towards Whitney, pretty smooth, with killer views. Then on to Onion Valley where I made the mistake of venturing too far back into the Kearsarge Pass over Heart and Sapphire lakes. I looked down and saw white caps on the water coming from the West! Seconds later after turning away, the control bar got ripped out of my hands and I was wedged into my A-frame for a 1,000 foot loss of altitude!. The recovery was uneventful and gain it all back in a few minutes. On my way to Aberdeen near Tenehama Resevoir, I decided that it was best to get closer to a beer and headed back to 395 to land. Thanks to the SB crew for a great time flying and camping in the Alabamas, sippin' wine that was cheaper than water, telling war stories under a full moon.