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Teamwork

From: SA
Activity_Date: 5/31/200
Remote Name: 4.33.144.10

Comments

Having experienced a 9 hour bush wacking episode many moons ago I was feeling for you as the sun beat down on us Dan. It makes you appreciate how important it is to find a trail when landing out if possible. Ray said he felt like you landed 500 yards apart, and his hike was a completely different experience thanks to the trail. But it's all about getting the experience.

I compliment Eddie and the other members of the rescue team for working so well together. Eddie was right on top of the situation. When Dan did finally get to a place close to civilization, Eddie had us waiting in exactly the right spot to get a visual of Dan waiving his arms in the distance. I missed the copter show, because Ray and I had to drive back to launch to get cell coverage to make the call. I guess it wasn't copter 5(which I had requested), copter 6 plucked Dan from the rock and set him down on 33. We were happy to see Dan's smiling face again.

I did see quite a bit of sink out there when the pilots got out front past the knob. However, I also saw some missed opportunities for thermaling. I saw both Dan and Ray pass up lift on the glide out. I was saying to myself on launch, turn, turn. Seems like you need to take all the lift you get out front at Pine. Passing up even a weak thermal might be the wrong call unless the drift makes it a no gain. Both Ray and Dan headed out to the front knob a little early in my opinion. It was working up at launch, probably better to hold the high ground, and head out if you get below launch. Also it didn't seem like they could have made a more agressive line to the SW and get to the spine when they did leave launch. I suggested holding the high ground to Bruce before he launched, and Eddie came on the radio with the same advice a minute later. Bruce got up good at launch and managed to get out higher than Ray and Dan. He also managed to turn in the lift that he found, and got higher than anybody did that day.

The SE was blowing 17 to 25 when I punched off just after 3pm. I had remained on launch to act as a radio beacon for the hikers, and to watch these huge cycles blow through the trees. I got up to 8400 and ran with the wind heading west and landed at Condor ranch. Ray picked me up, and we got on the rescue effort. Dan did well by having water, spare batteries for his radio, and a gps. It was a long day, and a great learning experience.

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