SCPA & SBSA Discussion Board

Brenden and Andy were our cherry poppin guides for the nuthouse saturday and they gave us a sweet one. Tim, Brenden, and Andy made it to Chiefs and back to the high school, Pete, Justin, Malcom and myself made it to various peaks on the front and then out to the high school. It was was sweet how you can hike up to 1900 feet, huck off, go up a couple thousand feet and have sweet xc flights. Pete, Tim, Malcom and I topped it off by flying the jesus out of the Avenue until dark with one heck of a sunset to watch. we all top landed and hit up the taco truck on the way home. fun ass day!

So much fun flying a new site. Brendan and Andy were great guides, showing us the dos and don'ts of flying the Ojai area. What an amazing XC wonderland we live in. The nuthouse is a sweet spot. Short 45 min hot and steep hike that makes us earn our flight. Followed by nice cycles and great take offs. Climbing out was the most interesting mountain flying I've had. Ridge lift flying followed by thermals. Super exciting. What a view we had from up top of the ridge. I was thankful that Brendan stuck around to show us the way down range and help me get back up range by giving me some useful altitude info. A little rest at the church parking lot was welcomed too.

Thanks guys what a day.

Super stoked you guys finally got a chance to do the Nuthouse! I'm curious what you guys think of the launch, climb-out conditions etc. You could perhaps give other pilots an indication of what skills they should have before going up there. I know I've lost some of my appreciation of what that site looks like to fresh eyes.

LAB RESULTS: Positive: test confirmed!

Comments: hiking with guys that laugh the whole way up is a compelling event. these guys nailed their launches and followed the blueprint for "escape from nuthouse alcatraz." -there was a bit more instability on sat that enabled collapses like pete's 40% in front of me @ nord ridge but also some quick climbs to the mid-high 4s over bruces and the reg points. climbing chief spine was like the day b4, but up by launch it just wasnt working as well and as i scratched eastward, the headwind canceled my plan to take the high road and make it to fillmore faster than the day b4. still an awesome ojai day. again tim- nice flying~

max alt: 5100
duration: 2hours
bugs: mild

I'd say we got pretty lucky for our first hike up to the nuthouse. The take off spot is steep, like skyport, by much, much smaller (big enough for a glider) with loose rocks like alternator. We were lucky because the wind wasn't too light and it wasn't too strong (6 - . I think if it's light 3 or less it seems it would be difficult getting off. If it's strong then I can see the same sort of difficulties. But with wind like we had, we were able to pull up, kite for a second, turn around, get our bearings and launch. Brendan or Andy have more to say about it?

Oh, I think you'd better be in shape for the hike up too. It's brutal. You don't want to arrive on launch completely spent.