Record-breaking day at Chief's!!
Posted: Sat Sep 15, 2012 1:02 pmThe intrepid Fly Above All crew headed up to Chief’s again this morning – a little early given the strong conditions over the past couple of days. We were: our esteemed driver John K, plus pilots Chad, Andy D, Chris G, Robin (me - a new P3), and out-of-towner P2 Annie. After driving up the ridge road we checked conditions near the turn-off to Nordhoff launch, in case it seemed to be coming in from the east. It wasn’t, which was good, as the Chief’s launch (at 4800’ and further east) provides for a lot more fun as well as interesting XC options. We arrived a bit before 10:00, and Chad quickly got organized and launched, and right in front of launch went up and up, but in a pleasant way rather than a disconcerting one. Next off was Andy, who did the same thing. By this time, only about 5 minutes later, Chad was already 1500’ or so above launch. Next off was Annie, then Robin, then Chris. By the time Chris launched conditions were getting a little strong. Annie’s first flight off Chief’s was reported as very pleasant – enough lift but not too strong – she played around on the long ridge heading out to the LZ. Meanwhile Chad was up around 8500’, and Andy was close behind. I pretty quickly, given the amazing conditions, worked my way up to 6300’ and headed out to try for Nordhoff high school again. Chad stuck around until he hit about 10,000’ over Chief’s and then rolled out too. He eventually landed in Summerland, out on the coast, and along the way hit 11,200’ over Nordhoff Ridge, which from what I’ve been told must be a record for the area. Apparently his altitude over Chief’s is probably a record as well. Andy comfortably made it to Nordhoff high school, as did Chris. On my second attempt (first one last weekend), with some in-air coaching by Chris G, made it quite a bit closer to the high school. I got to Three Stooges with plenty of altitude, luckily, as I didn’t find any lift there. I kept going and got to Bruce’s comfortably, and tanked up in the general vicinity before heading down the ridge, working each of the spines leading up to it. At the end I got up over the knob and but due to some vacillation on my part and a less-than-ideal choice of a line out, didn’t end up with enough altitude to make it all the way to the high school, and had to resort to landing on the Camp Ramah baseball diamond, which was actually quite convenient, given the alignment into the wind and the flags serving as windsocks.
What an absolutely amazing day! We’re going to do it again tomorrow (Sunday), probably leaving a little earlier in order to get everyone launched before the stronger stuff sets in. Stay tuned for more stories of our adventures! Stay tuned to the Twitter/website feed if you want to come along!
What an absolutely amazing day! We’re going to do it again tomorrow (Sunday), probably leaving a little earlier in order to get everyone launched before the stronger stuff sets in. Stay tuned for more stories of our adventures! Stay tuned to the Twitter/website feed if you want to come along!