SO. CAL. SEPTEMBER FLIGHT

Yesterday Monday 15 I had one of my best flights: not a cloud in the
sky, at least not in my vicinity. Gound temperature 104* F. Fred
Robinson, operator of Great Western Soaring at Crystal tells me that
the lift will be good. That's an understatement. Take off at 12:45,
release at 6,400 ft MSL, 3,000 ft AGL in a 4 kts thermal. As I climb,
the lift increases to 8 kts. Up on top of Mt. Baden-Powell, I climb at
8 kts steady to 13,000 ft. MSL. From there, Mt. San Antonio ( Mt.
Baldy, elev 10,049 ft ) is 8 miles away. I reach Baldy on a direct
flight, having l lost only 700 ft. The lift there is 12 - 14 kts
steady. Unfortunately I do not carry oxygen that day, and I top off at
13,500 ft for a very short look-see and turn back for the gliderport.
Also I do not have a relief tube and nature calls urgently now. In
the 17 miles from Baldy to the gliderport, straight out, no
thermalling and only slowing down in lift, I arrive over the field at
11,700 ft MSL. I have been in the air for 2 1/2 hours, wandering all
over the San Gabriel Mountains, never flying below 11,000 ft except on
the initial climb and the segment over the gliderport to lose altitude
and land. Wheee !

Cheers, Charles

On Sep 16, 12:09*pm, wrote:
Yesterday Monday 15 I had one of my best flights: not a cloud in the
sky, at least not in my vicinity. *Gound temperature 104* F. *Fred
Robinson, operator of Great Western Soaring at Crystal tells me that
the lift will be good. *That's an understatement. *Take off at 12:45,
release at 6,400 ft MSL, 3,000 ft AGL in a 4 kts thermal. *As I climb,
the lift increases to 8 kts. Up on top of Mt. Baden-Powell, I climb at
8 kts steady to 13,000 ft. MSL. *From there, Mt. San Antonio ( Mt.
Baldy, *elev 10,049 ft ) is 8 miles away. *I reach Baldy on a direct
flight, having l lost only 700 ft. *The lift there is 12 - 14 kts
steady. Unfortunately I do not carry oxygen that day, and I top off at
13,500 ft for a very short look-see and turn back for the gliderport.
Also *I do not have a relief tube and nature calls urgently now. In
the 17 miles from Baldy to the gliderport, straight out, no
thermalling and only slowing down in lift, I arrive over the field at
11,700 ft MSL. I have been in the air for 2 1/2 hours, wandering all
over the San Gabriel Mountains, never flying below 11,000 ft except on
the initial climb and the segment over the gliderport to lose altitude
and land. Wheee !

Cheers, *Charles

YEEEEHAAAA!
Sounds like a great time! Take oxygen ALL the time!

Take along a bottle or zip lock baggies. Have to pee stuff is not
funny anymore in xc flying. There have been too many accidents from
dehydrated or distracted pilots. Showing you can pee in a glider
should be required before anyone goes cross country.

Ok, I'm just jealous!
John Cochrane