January 2nd

[timobarker]

I woke up this morning, thinking I'd have a very different day. I was happy to see that Fly Above All van was heading out early, as I wanted to make a day of working on my house.
A full van arrived at launch at around 10:30. The day was already thermic, with consistent cycles. Bart launched off at about 15 till 11. Chad, then I set off after him into smooth lift to about 4200'. A few of us headed toward La Cumbre where it wasn't very established yet. So, we went back to EJ and lifted to the ceiling again.
Meanwhile Dave Turner had launched and set out East on the back ridge, behind the RR. I was interested in his course, because I've only seen a couple of guys go that way. He seemed to stay glued to the top of the ridge line. I took off after Dave Bader toward TF. He, then I, found consistent lift to about 3900' on the eastern, sunbaked slopes. We found this sort of lift all the way down range. I finally caught up to Dave B at Castle Ridge, we were barely an hour into our flight. As can be expected at castle ridge, the thermals were edgier, less organized and stronger. I think this happens because of the ridge lines, wind direction and drier conditions.
Dave B. turned out toward Carp High School soon after reaching Castle Ridge. I decided to head east, following in Dave Turner's wake. I finally started to catch him. I saw him go for it over the power lines and I finally started to think this might be a bigger day than I thought.
I hit 4,600 a the bump before the power lines and went for it. I stayed glued to the back ridge until Chismahoo Mountain and that's where I made my first mistake. Instead of taking the very pronounced ridge toward White Ledge, I decided to stay on the back ridge. Which I felt I had to stick to after that. The wind had come up and was blowing 12 - 14 mph from the south, south west. So, once I made the committing move to the back ridge, I was afraid that if I headed out toward White Ledge, I would get some serious sink and risk sinking out. I again made another bad error when I continued to stay on the back ridge behind White Ledge. I'm almost certain that if I'd gone out front to White Ledge I would have climbed way out. But, instead, I stayed on the back ridge and barely stayed on top of it, ridge soaring at times and occasionally trying to turn in bullets. I think I was getting super turbulent air on the back ridge because I was behind White Ledge with a steady wind. Next time, if the conditions are close to the same, I'll probably head down the CHismahoo ridge and cross over the WHite Ledge over the canyon.
After finally flying out, I intersected Nordhoff Ridge above the Nuthouse launch. I soared up that spine and found a decent thermal to turn in and got to 4000'. Just shy of the Nordhoff summit, I 'd had enough. I crabbed out to the football field and was able to make a turn or two before landing.
Dave ended up in the Santa Paula River bed. He said he encounter strong East Wind, which stopped his progress toward Filmore. I guess I'm glad I didn't continue down range. I was pretty much spent by the time I got to Nordhoff.
On a side note, the bus from Ojai to Ventura is long. I'd suggest getting off that bus as it turns toward Ventura's Downtown area. You can walk down toward the Patagonia store (1/4 mile) and catch the Vista Coastal Route bus to the Rainbow Arch from there.
I'd love some insight on the mistakes I made regarding Chismahoo and the back ridge behind white ledge. Were they mistakes or is that indeed the preferred route. My intuition tells me I should have stayed out front more. Hind Sight is 20/20. But, it could help me the next time around.

[Faoro_Ron]

Back ridge often works fine, depends on the day.

[Chris G]

There's a fantastic and consistent kicker just out front of White Ledge that I usually go for. I'm not keen on the super deep line but it works for a lot of people. If it works it's great, but if it doesn't you're a long way from an LZ. After turning the corner at the far W edge of White Ledge I've only had a problem getting back up on the E edge once.

[sd]

Sundowner’s comments in response to Tim’s questions
http://paraglide.net/comment/14/01-02/1_comment.htm

[Faoro_Ron]

A few further comments in addition to Sundowner's excellent evaluation (what a resource!) from a pilot who landed out the first five times attempting the Pass due to "mistakes." (I landed in Matilija Canyon twice, once on the road in front of White Ledge and relaunched and twice in the vicinity of Chismahoo.) As already mentioned, the back ridge is the place to land out if you like hiking/bushwacking. Benson Lamb got choppered out from there on his first attempt through the Pass following Sundowner (who was on his way westbound to Gaviota!). It can easily be a two day walk. The main point I would like to make to novice pilots exploring the Pass is to know Chismahoo Mountain - it is easily identified as a big, round lump SW of White Ledge. Anywhere east of Chismahoo you can easily walk out eastbound on the road below White Ledge (a continuation of Camino Cielo from Santa Barbara). Landing directly on or near Chismahoo allows you to walk south on a nice road to the 150 near Gobernador Canyon. Once you pass the powerlines, if you flush, always reach for Chismahoo. Don't fly directly down the powerlines toward Gobernador Canyon. Go back toward Cate School off the 192 behind Carpinteria or eastward toward Chismahoo. From the air there appears to be a road or trail (under the powerlines) leading to the ridge behind Gobernador. That trail quickly disappears into thick chaparral. I've landed there twice. The first time I got out after an exhaustive four hours of bushwacking and the second time was a cold overnight stay in January.

[timobarker]

Thank you, Thank you!

I really appreciate the breath of community that we have within this sport. I appreciate all of your comments and have learned a tremendous amount. SD, I read your comments at least 3 times. I plan on making this voyage many times in the coming years and your years of experimentation and experience will help me tremendously. The maps are absolutely bomber. I'm going to print one out and put it in my XC kit. The same goes for all of you that have given me insight over the years. Hopefully with years of experience and experimentation, I will be able to pay it forward to another generation of flyers. I guess that's why I post on the forum. Through our shared experiences we make a stronger, more able community of flyers.

I think next time, I'll bumble along and make some more informed decisions when I get to East Divide. That's where I think I would have probably headed out. But as several have said, I guess I didn't make any mistakes as I got there. I think more than anything, it was the amount of exposure and stress I exposed myself to that led me to think I made a mistake.

Again, thanks! I'll see you all in the air again soon!

[DeVietti_Marty]

Great read guys! It truly is a great place here for aspiring XC pilots. A lot of thought and intuition goes into the distance flights from (and to) SB. This forum has been great help for me too and I appreciate the effort and care that goes into peer mentoring. All good points and discussion. I have little to add to this one, but wanted to thank SD especially, and Chris and (and all else that post) and of course you, Tim for keeping the forum and learning alive.

Cheers,

Marty

[sd]

After Reviewing Dave Turner's flight track, I updated my comments. at:
http://paraglide.net/comment/14/01-02/1_text_comment.htm#update