Re: OTB

From: Benson
Activity_Date: 1/7/01
Remote Name: 208.3.185.32

Comments

I launched sixth. As Bill B launched, just before me, we were feeling some weak cycles blowing down. The sense of urgency to get in the air had ratcheted up a notch. I took the first light cycle that came in fairly straight and got lucky. The cycle was good and I used ridge lift to get a couple hundred over launch before I came in on the main ridge over the campground I worked some zero sink for a couple of minutes and headed down the ridge only to find sink all the way down to the front knob.

O the way down I saw Bill B come out of a big collapse and quickly dial into the lift. He was far overhead by the time I got there, just to the east of the front knob, but I knew it would still be working when I got there. We both twisted up to over 9000, got into the convergence, and before long we were near 11000 headed over the back towards ...well over the back anyway.

I was in the lead but had very little idea as to which direction to take. I was coming over dry Canyon with 8500, looking for lift in the tips of the foothills, but didn't know where I would go if I found it...the plan for the day was to follow Ron F, but he was long gone. I decided to let BB get in front of me hoping he might know where to go. He went up DC and got very low and had to land. I didn't follow, and the lift started to get better right where I was, above the road that cuts across the dry riverbed. I might have been able to get to CB, but I had no Idea of where I would go with it. BB landed in a nice big field by the road, and a hang glider had come in by now.

I put down near BB and the HG. Eddie came in shortly after and did a nice landing on his HG after 15 months of not flying. Next time I get over the back I'll know which way to go! I love this sport…great day.