Big crew headed up the mountain this morning at 10:45. Bunch of jobless bums. Couldn't really blame the ones with jobs for calling in sick since there was a 31 degree spread between the ground and 6k. It was going to be big. Ron F launched first and after a short struggle in front of launch, got up and went to the R&R. I launched second and went straight up 50ft with no penetration. After that it kinda petered out and I found myself a few feet below launch. Decided to run to the TF but 100 yards from launch encountered severe rotor from an East wind. Limped across to the holy hills and connected super low behind the power lines. Looked like I was going to have my first SnakePit landing. Struggled on a very turbulent spine for a while and took way too many chances but managed to get enough to squeak over the power lines. The bottom of the canyon was very nasty and definitely windy. Once across the power lines I wasn't even close to guaranteed Saint Mary's. Got a few weak pops as I surfed across to the bump just behind SM's. Arrived level with it and found a boomer that took me to the moon, topping out around 4k over the snake pit. Weird. Ran to the TF above the top but it was very sinky and still into a headwind. Hit 47 and after several severe pummelings decided I'd had enough and followed Rob S to the beach with a tandem. A few headed downrange but the rest of the large crew ended up at the beach shortly thereafter. Weird day. Not one I'd like to repeat on a regular basis but at least the altitudes were good.
A bunch of us ended up at Bates on the way home and it was working well. At times pilots were up at the 450ft mark, several top-landings and great flights for some first-time soaring folks. Good fun and nice to be in something smooth after the morning mayhem.