nuthouse memorial day tag the chief challenge

[andy dainsberg]

join us for a most special memorial day tag the chief (out and back) hikefly paragliding super-adventure challenge in spectacular ojai, california . when we top chief we'll take a moment to reflect how lucky we are that so many brave people in our armed forces have died to give our country some phenomenal freedom and strength. we shall kick off the festivities at 10sharp at nordhoff high school. byow(water). bug spray provided. (i just realized how short notice this is- if u will be late we'll wait)

[DeVietti_Marty]

Wow, what a fine idea, and great day to fly.

It was hot yet the bugs were manageable and the cycles were abundant. Chris Paul, Andy and I were the 'three amigos' for this Memorial day mission, and I must say it was a great success. Andy and Chris marched past me on the hike up, launched before me, and specked out on the way to Spine One and beyond. After floundering around on launch I finally got off, but did not catch them until they both top landed Chiefs, and we all met at the main launch. We were able to enjoy some silence and take in the view and remember fallen soldiers, pilots and friends.

A truck eventually broke the silence and judging from the two hang gliders up on top it looked like we had best clear our gear out of the way and re-launch, with the goal of making it back to NHS. We all introduced ourselves and learned that this guy (Andy) and his wife (oops, forgot already) are both pilots who live in Ojai and often land at their home. I never caught their driver's name.

Not wanting to be last off, I set up first and the freight train cycles began as well. Fortunately, I got a light one and was up, up and away in no time. Andy was next, but the lulls in the cycles were fewer and he and Chris both had to wait a bit to finally find a launch friendly window, but eventually did. Andy and I topped out and went on glide to Bruce's and the wind was becoming stronger out of the South. After a little effort, we both made the glide to NHS while Chris never really seemed to get the big climb (so it seemed) and ended up low, in the wind and settled for the propeller field LZ. We were all getting to around 5K+ on the way to Chiefs and 6K+ on the way back for Andy and me. The hangs got a little higher than us according to the radio chatter we overheard. Andy retrieved Chris, who in turn returned him to his truck near the Nut, and I was able to get an early drive back home to help out at the home front. Bonus!

I never seem to be in shape enough for the hike at the Nut House, yet the quality of the flying there makes it all worth it, and I seem to forget about the hike every time I land at the High School, Church LZ, Boccali's, or today, my first time top landing Chiefs. Gotta love the Nut. Maybe someday I'll connect the dots to Fillmore and land at Vons?

Thanks Andy for the last minute big brain idea, especially since you should be taking it easy (glad you aren't), and Chris for coming to fly with us. Truly a Memorial day to remember for me. Just can't wipe the grin off my face.

On a side note: I got to take my Ice Peak 6 out for a spin in some REAL industrial strength air today, complete with tight cores, wind and inversion turbulence. It held up fine, and lets me stand it up on a tip to stay in the skinny strong thermals, glide through the chop like a hot knife through mayonnaise (yep, even better than butter), and never once took a tip fold or felt like it would get away from me. Keep in mind I got my medication just right before launching it as always, and would never fly it when tired, sluggish or feeling too comfortable with it or the conditions. That said, I can't wait to compete on this thing! Yipeeeeee!...Oh yeah, I LOVE my Woody Valley GTO harness. Light, comfy and fast. If I can now pack my comp gear 1000 feet up a hot bug infested mountain to take off, imagine how far I would be able to hike if/when I land WAY out???

Marty

[BobA]

Right on! That was Andy and Emily you met up there.

[DeVietti_Marty]

Thanks, Bob.

Andy and Emily were super friendly and set up out of the way so we would be sure not to accidentally wallpaper them with our wings. I would like to try and fly WITH them some time. We were all going different ways that day.

m

[andy dainsberg]

marty, its too bad, cuz of course fillmore(+) was doable with the lift and tail, but with the Memorial Challenge and all we just had to mimimize for one day- keep the logistics tame... blasted off launch and was 2k over in one thermal. i agree, pretty much major league edginess throughout the flight. chief spine elevator rules were in full effect, just gleefully pushing us skyward. another great day to be a Nuthouse Flyer.

(nut launch)