A gathering of gliders...
After getting blown out on Saturday, today Mission Ridge delivered quite possibly some of the best conditions we've flown lately...the nice cool air was a welcome reprieve from the sweltering hot conditions at Santa Cruz Flats.
About a dozen Bay Area pilots showed up with everyone getting their fill of the abundant lift. I was about 3rd or 4th to launch and hit some lift right off launch after waiting for the sock to roll WNW.
I made a few turns when I was clear of the ridge, then headed north and was...sinking...sinking...sinking?
No! The conditions are so good! I worked my way back south along the ridge below launch and was getting concerned. Then, along the trail heading up on the lower hill below launch my right wing got tossed up. I threw the bar out and banked the glider into what would probably be my best climb of the day...straight up above the ridgeline. I kept the glider in the core of the thermal until it topped out around 4,000'.
Nothing beats a low save like that...
The view from above...
I didn't really have a game plan as I was so satisfied with my low save...the rest of the flight was spent boating above the ridge, chasing others, and playing below the clouds for the majority of the flight...shoulda, coulda, woulda gone to Ed Levin, but didn't...I spent the flight working on my thermaling skills and just having fun. I love flying when it's cold.
Then...I got low again!
Rick Hawkins and I were low over RC Hill and the lift was broken. Frank Peel was slightly below us and setting up his approach near a PG'er who had not yet cleared the LZ (again) after landing. I was having a tough time staying in what ever lift I could find, but really wanted to top land by my truck and cooler. I could feel the winds had picked up, as well. I was eyeing the LZ for my landing when I felt a little bubble working its way up the ridge...I stayed in that thing for all it was worth and was making tracks...200 up...100 down...300 up...100 down...the thermal was really broken and I was low, but stayed with it. I saw Rick making better progress on the other side of the small ridge and headed over to him...good call. We both were making some serious progress now as the thermal appeared to split its way up the ridge. Before long I was above the ridge line...low save number two for the day. Rick made it up, too, for a top landing, as well.
I pulled an "Enzo" and decided I wanted to land by my truck and cooler, so that is what I did...the winds had increased and more from the NW so top landing was a little rowdy, but manageable. I came in a bit lower than normal on my approach, but with speed, and handled some of the rotor (and sink) kicking off the hill. I stayed clear of the cows for a nice "Hang Fu" landing. I was about 1/2 a minute behind Tom White after his landing, but he hustled and cleared the way for others. I then broke the glider down by my truck and cooler...mission accomplished!
Short video below thermaling above Mission Ridge...
Altitude: 4200'
Flight Time: 1 hour, 25 minutes