Re: Thurs

From: K Dumain
Activity_Date: 1/31/02
Remote Name: 216.202.93.44

Comments

It got even windier Jeff. Ron F was the only other pilot to make it back to Parma.

I launched near the end into the "washing machine," although it felt more like a raging river rapid. By then the lift patterns in front of launch were changing shape with the extra east wind. I got about 200 below launch. Not wanting to risk the glide over the wires to the Holy Hills, it was either the snakepit or get up. Eventually found the wave and climbed out drifting with the east. Halfway to the RR I had second thoughts about how to get out of the damned mountains, so I went back to launch. Mistake!!!! I was soon well below launch again! Meanwhile, Leanne was calling me to start a retrieve. Found the wave again and maintained until a boomer came through and took me to about 3800. Trifko and his buddy were ridge soaring the east side of the RR way back behind launch. The new plan was to top out and go with the flow. Got to the tit real quick intending to Dolphin strike. Found some smooth lift just beyond and turned hoping to stay with the good air. This soon became a steady 600 up, which took me to 4800 and just short of Cathedral. Easy way to cross a canyon! Left before I topped out in order steer south of any turbulence coming off that rock. From there, it was an easy glide to Cienigietos sp? Arrived with about 2700, could have made Moore Mesa. About 500 over Chad, myself, and a yellow carbon found a little convergence and toyed with it for another 20 minutes. 9 pilots made it to Cienigietos, and 2 went to Robin's. Pretty fun, and exciting. Tom Pipkin turned an early low save into a flight 9 miles past 154. SD was out there somewhewe as well. Ron worked hard and made two tough laps around Rattlesnake Canyon before slogging upwind to Parma. Thanks to Glenn and Bob for helping with the retrieve.