Flight Report 3/8/14 EJ to Santa Paula

[Dave Turner]

Today I had a great flight from E.J. Bowl, all the way to Santa Paula (almost 40 miles). I wrote up a nice flight report, if any of you want to take a look at it. Enjoy!

http://sierraparagliding.com/santa-barbara-xc/

[timobarker]

I started the day with 5 out of 5 red lights trying to get where I needed to go, a daunting start to the day. After my obligations were taken care of, I checked my phone and noted that I would again miss the bus from parma….It just wasn't my day. I waited for about 20 to 25 minutes until I hitched the first ride of my day…two young kids and their 18 inch bong picked me up. They were only going halfway to Skyport, so I offered them 5 bucks and they took me the rest of the way.
I unpacked and quickly was reminded that this wasn't my day….no sunscreen and no gloves. SHiattt! Oh well, I spit on my face and hands and smeared dirt everywhere, thinking this might work as sunscreen (it didn't).
I launched just after 11:00 at Skyport. The lift was light and it was my hardest climb out of the day. Right when I launched I saw the flood of pilots spilling over the RR. I finally hooked something below Skyport and rock and rolled up to meet Dave. He nodded toward Thermal Factory and it was on. As we flew toward TF, I noted that my speed bar wasn't hooked up (WTF). I hooked it up and followed Dave out there.
The flight was pretty straight forward and easy up until the power lines. We were in a west tailwind the whole time. My l/d was always around 9 - 12 on glide. I never seeked the top of the climbs. I think Dave and I were on the same page as we flew down range: stay in front of the cloud cover that was filling in from the West. We hit the power lines at about 12:00, just an hour after we'd started. I hung back and watched Dave courageously cross the powerlines at about 4300. I told myself that I wouldn't cross unless I got to 4500. 5 minutes later my vario ticked over my mark and I went for it.
When I got to the next prominent peak, the wind changed drastically. It went from a lovely tailwind to a South East wind that was gusting up to about 8 or 9. By the time I got to the point behind White Ledge it was more of a solid East wind and it was gusting much higher. My ground speed at times was as low as 5 or 6 mphs. At times I thought I was going backwards. I didn't thermal at all on the way out, not until bump one. At bump one I watched Dave climb out of the Nuthouse. I contemplated going over there and flying further down range to make the crossing to the football field. Then I remembered that I was tired of being thrashed around.
I drew a line to a field to the east of the river bed, right next to an equestrian center. I made it there, at a snails pace into the East South East wind. As I descended toward the field, I felt the wind subside. I even thought about heading for the football field as the wind felt like it was out of the south west down low. I opted for my primary plan, as I'd had enough guessing for the day.
I landed into the southwest and packed up under some oak trees. It was very pleasant….and hot.

Then the real adventure began. Instead of going for the bus option again, which took me forever last time, I decided I would hitch. That didn't go as well as I would have liked! I walked 2 miles to the 150. Caught a ride with a plumber for a block. Then a couple of young Non-profit girls took me to Ventura. I walked another quarter mile to the bus stop on the way out of town and just made the bus. But more bad news, I only had a dollar and the ticket cost was 3. Shit damn, road travel just wasn't going my way. The bus guy took pity on me though and I was able to throw on. I got off at East Beach hoping that some pilots would be packing up! No such luck!

I walked almost to Barker Pass Road when Roberto picked me up in his old Chevy. He took me the rest of the way to Parma! It was a great day. Got home just before 5. I'd say the whole day was full value, not just the flight. The flight was bitchin', but the hitch hiking was also exciting. Stoked to find people that still pick up hitch hikers. I've got to make sure I pay this day forward!

[Dave Turner]

Tim-o,

I laughed sooo hard when I read that part about your 'sunscreen'! Great flight report!

Truax isn't on facebook, so we have to share our stories here! Speaking of Tom- where were u? I almost expected to link up with you in the air above the Topa Bluffs or something! I hope you had a good day as well.

[gracecab]

Thanks guys for the flight reports!

I for one really enjoy reading about, and following, the routes. Though I flew Elings Saturday, for me it was an adventure too, just on a smaller scale. So cool to have these kind of experiences to look forward too.