Traveln' Torrey

From: Sarah
Activity_Date: Friday
Remote Name: 216.192.35.21

Comments

"Torrey Pines Gliderport"

As I drove up I was disappointed that no one was flying. 8-10 hang gliders were elegantly parked on the grass and the pilots were meandering around. Spectators were there watching lessons, and being hopeful for some tandem rides being hosted by our Chad Bastian from Santa Barbara and Ki Hong of Torrey. Among the spectators were PG pilots and their bags, still in their backpacks. It was very light wind maybe 5 knots.

I watched Ki take his tandem on the beach, followed by Chad who I last saw 1/2 of the way down the cliff, gentily floating down with a few passes.

Chatting it up with Lee Anne, I also had run into several pilots I had met when they came to Santa Barbara a few months back. One friend in a lounge chair pointed at his wing nearby and said, "See that? That's my wing. It has been sitting there for 3 hours today."

I had not flown Torrey yet, as this was the second time I arrived and there was no wind. I told my friends several times, "I'm going to the beach. The beach loves me." I methodically handed off to Lee Anne my flight suit, wallet, variometer, and whatever else might weight me down. I was prepared to walk up the 350' as I was wearing shorts and my hiking boots. I did have a secret weapon: Benson's Epsilon(that I found a buyer for down there btw). Being 40lbs light on the wing we all considered I might have a chance, but I had taken time to walk and peer over the cliff edge and pick my landing spot on the beach.

One and a half hours later...

Stiff from being cold, nose running, and fatigued from the air traffic and adventuring--I landed at around 4pm. Chad and Lee Anne had long ago left, but a couple of guys offered to buy me a beer, and one of my Torrey friends helped me slowly carry my gear to my 4runner. =)

I had flown 10-15 minutes by myself(including over Chad walking up a trail with his tandem passenger)and the wind slwoly came in. Shortly thereafter I counted as many as 5 PG gliders at a time with their canopies up and kiting on the launch. The air got quickly crowded.

I traveled down to Mr. B's and soared around that area for awhile, then I headed north and went past the end of the golf course to the furthest western point before entering the Del Mar city limit. The lift was not real strong due to its south-western direction. It was apparant to feel a slight downwind speed heading north, and a slower approach heading south. I found myself trying to allow speed(by staying off the brakes) to get to the south-facing coves for more lift, whereas I returned to a light-handed min-sink.

Returning to civilization(as no one followed me but halfway) I had decided to consider landing. That was a trick! Everytime I came near for an approach, more gliders were launching, and I was innundated with hang gliders around me. So I spent another beautiful 20-30 minutes enjoying the sweetness of the lift between and occasionally above the hang gliders and a Zaggy just north of the RC flying window.

I did find out that the security guard standing on the cliff with his arms crossed at Mr. B's had to do with the fact the Governor was visiting. The security personnel had called Gabe Jebb (who was yelling at pilots in the air a lot) to not fly south or they would start shooting down pilots! =O

By and large I had a fabulous time. =) I had heard bad things about attitudes at Torrey, and the absurd traffic, and some questionable flying ettiquette by a few pilots. In truth I have to report that I met only congenial personalities and high-traffic saavy pilots. Bummer on the $7.50 per day flying fee, and the whistle that I have a headache from but hey, I like their gliderport, grass, and no traffic accidents. =)

Sarah