Chiefs Peak season opener

[Robb]

This was probably the latest in the season we've ever started at Chiefs, but we got two great days in last Friday and Sunday.

On Friday we had 11 in the truck as we headed up to launch, including two tandems. The road is in good shape, and lots (and lots, and lots) of brush has been cleared all along the way. I followed Andy, Chad, and Art and we all got up right at the spine. Brendan launched his tandem followed by Tom and OJ; Bob and Marion didn't get to launch as their tandem got a tear when it was attached by the rack on the back of the truck. The rack was subdued, but they had to drive down.

Andy made a play to the east, Art went west, and Chad went up. Everywhere. There was plenty of lift, in the usual, sporty, Ojai fashon, but only Chad made it look easy. Art was on his way to the high school by the time I got to Nordoff ridge. My demonstration of flying skill at Bruces point had Brendan and Tom heading for the propeller field. Art, Andy, OJ, Chad, and I made it to NHS.

Sunday we had six in the truck for round two, including Dietrich on his first Chiefs flight. Bob launched first, eager to make up for not flying Friday, and got suckered out and below the inversion. The rest of us sat on launch for a while before taking off and finding weak, disorganized lift that almost got you high enough to make a play west. I blundered into some lift and headed west as soon as it petered out. A six mph tail wind got me to Bruces fast, and I arrived mid-way up the spine. I pushed around to the front ridge, and got to 44 at the mid peak. I gave a thought to running back to twin peaks as it was still early in the day, but Andy and Brendan were still fighting for scraps along the spine so I chickened out and ran for the high school. I arrived high enough to go the the Ojai Valley Inn and play shadow games over the pool before heading back to the football field. Then it was off to Boccolies for lunch.

It sure is great to be back flying in Ojai. Too bad Grantham can't be here to enjoy it...

[redfly]

so robb, obviously you guys have too much fun while i am not there!!! ;)

there weather here in switzerland is pretty sh*** at the moment - hoping for improvement next week.

want to fly chief's when i am back!