Sat. March 5

[timobarker]

An interesting day. A loaded Fly Above All van showed up at Alternator well after 11. The cycles were blowing in and the day seemed promising. Doug launched first, just as the flags were turning West and then immediately North. We watched as he got lift in some very odd places - lee side thermals- almost in the middle of the canyon between west bowl and Cathedral. Some 15 to 20 minutes later the wind shifted again and seemed to be blowing up. I launched followed by Cort. I followed a couple of Vultures into the middle of the canyon were I found a bumpy ride to about 4 grand. Cort and I ended up having some fun above the slide and then I rode the North West Wind to Cathedral. Never having spent time at Cathedral, I wasn't sure how much altitude I needed to head to Saint Mary's/Pharma. I topped Cathedral, after having scratched for some 20 or so minutes at 3,600 feet. I lost the Lift and ended up soaring out to Robbins. I thought I'd land there, but Doug saw me and radioed that I should try for Cocopa or Cieneguitas. I went for it and made Cieneguitas into a head wind of about 10 - 12 mph. Had I left Cathedral at even 3,300 ft, I would easily have made it back to the T. Doug came and picked me up and I got to watch a whole bunch of other pilots have great flights from the Alternator. Beautiful day!

It looked like some good flights were had from Sky Port/Eliminator too????