Frosty Flight from Skyport, Saturday 2/19/11

[Faoro_Ron]

Eagle Van took some pre-frontal hopefuls up to Skyport at 9:30 AM this morning. Andy Dainsberg and I punched off as soon as we could and were rewarded with some very unusual flying conditions. It was dark at launch, raining on the Mesa and rain could be seen approaching from the west as another big storm slides into Santa Barbara. Cycles were moderate by 10 AM, so we decided go for it as opposed to letting our wings get any wetter in the beginning sprinkles. After crossing the power lines behind the Bypass with a good couple hundred inches to spare and squeaking in under the Round House and the Antenna Farm, I connected with a smooth, gentle 100 fpm thermal. Topping out at 2,900 feet, I saw Andy launch and I made a straight line to the Thermal Factory in strengthening lift. Approaching cloudbase, I complained about the rain that was starting to fall more quickly. SA informed me it was snowing at Skyport! Sure enough, the snow began to fall on me not 30 seconds later. Approaching cloudbase it was snowing in earnest and it was near whiteout at 4,400 feet. I had to keep the glider under control, but I did manage to fish out my iPhone and shoot a short, post-whiteout video as I started to descend toward the Antenna Farm.

After the video, I flew back past Skyport and over to the R&R. Spent a little time in the Holy Hills while Andy checked out Cathedral Peak and West Bowl. The day started to unravel - the lift disappeared and the cold rain got heavier - and I made my way back to Parma while Andy landed at The T.

Flying in the snow! What a trip.

45 minute flight time.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1N7fXcq6N2U

[Dainsberg_Andrew]

snow kidding! got above launch easy enuf in a light drizzle and on my way over to meet ron at thermal factory i began collecting powder. @ 39 and above it was snowing hard, for realz. ( applying the term 'sled' ride might be apropos, but it was actually buoyant...) the sw turned se and i headed west.~ not much luv; mostly scratching @ cathedral and wbowl with a drenched wing. ~of all the possible memorable flights i could ever have in a paraglider, thermalling in a literal blizzard of big fluffy snowflakes above santa barbara is a definate keeper...!

[Tony de Groot]

I was coming back from surfing and it looked very interesting. There was a cloud street running all the way to the pass. It might be good tomorrow.

Tony