Ojai Convergence

From: T. Pipkin
Activity_Date: 2/2/02
Remote Name: 216.244.19.115

Comments

It just doesn't get any better than today!

John, Sve, SD, Benson & myself at Nuthouse launch by 11:00. After a fairly tough climb out of the canyon, 3 of us followed SD to Nordhoff peak. SD headed west with 5800' & made a low connection west of the gap. I worked Nord. pk. to 5600' & started west. SD advised me to turn back since he felt I didn't have the altitude.

John & Benson jumped over to 3 Stooges & quickly climbed to 4500'. I followed & was greeted with the beginnings of a strong convergence. Left 3 stooges with 5200' & bucked a slight east head wind to Twin Peaks. Arrived at 3k & easily climbed to over 6k in magical air. Every connection point had boomer lift & I ended up over the Topa Bluffs at 7400'.

Benson opted for upper Ojai, Playing in the boyant air, then landed at Summit School.

John ended up over the Chief at 6700', then tagged Boyds, pulled off a great low save and turned back to fly right down the middle of upper Ojai (in lift), landing at San Antonio School. A 14 mile flight.

After topping out over the Bluffs, I continued east connecting at Santa Paula Ridge at 5400'. Here I found a stiff east wind & really nasty air (rotor from SP Ridge). Tried to punch through with the speed bar, but ended up parked 1 mile S/E of the SP Ridge. Turned back into rotor & landed at St Thomas Aquinas college, then kissed the ground.

Where I should have gone from the Topa Bluffs was over to Sulfur Mountain & taken a tail wind to Ventura. Maybe tomorrow.

Of course SD reported another great flight. Ojai to Carp. to SB back to Carp. (home).