AUGUST SQUADRON FLIGHTS

Peter Kovari, August 13:It was my turn in the barrel last Saturday the 13th.The weather predictions from both Dr.Jack and XC Skies were showing exceptionally good soaring conditions, finally.Of course by early Saturday morning these forecasts were greatly diminished ( as it usually happens) but still not too bad.C3 and I launched around 11:30 (thank you Chris for the consideration).Took a high tow and moved under a cloud that was over Baden Powell (turns out the only clouds we saw all that day). It did not pull that well until I reached ridge level, then kaboom, it went from 1-2kts to 6-7kts all the way to cloud base at 13.5K.The glide across the valley was the usual smooth ride down to about 7K by Silver Queen  and then through a lot of sink at Tehachapi pass, arriving at the foot of the Middle Sister and finally climbing in very good lift again.Good strong run through Boomer and all the way to Olancha.Unfortunately due to a TFR just north of Olancha, I had to cross over to the Inyos rather early and had less than ample altitude at arrival.I did get there at 8K and did not find much to work with, so promptly dumped my water ballast to either work anything really light or to get ready for an early landing at Lone Pine.Of course just after my ship felt nice and light, I ran into a nice thermal that got better with altitude, all the way to the ridge top.From that point I wished I still had the water as things really started moving, lift band from 15K to 17999.Left White Mountain Peak for Mina and then on to Gabbs.The hills just east of Gabbs produced nice little thermals that allowed me to start tip toeing toward Austin and hopefully Eureka, my ultimate goal for the day.I did get to Austin with plenty of altitude but unfortunately not enough daylight or lift left for the 60nm glide, so once again I settled for Austin.All the rooms were sold out at the three motels in town so we decided to head back to Hawthorne and stay the night.While driving the hour and half back in the dark, it seemed like all the local jack rabbits wanted to commit suicide as three of them managed to do just that, making a mess of the front fender of the car and the front of my trailer all right. It took quite a brushing at the Bishop at the do it yourself carwash the next day to remove all evidence.All in all a good run finally, as so far it has been slim pickings this season.Peter K6PK Karl Sommer, August 13:Not much to add to Peter’s report. Thanks Chris for getting us going and even running the wing for me.I did try to add water too, but a cracked PVC pipe spoiled that. Towed to 3.5K and had a hard time getting under a good cloud, finally left at 14K found lift at Pontious.Connected with the hills via Kelso, Boomer 14K, Olancha Pk 14K crossing and spending too long to get on top at Waucoba 15K, White Mtn short of 18K, jumping off Boundary Pk at18K, short of Gabbs 14K then could not find any lift all along the hills on the east side, went back landing at Gabbs. Did not wanted to chance landing on the Dry Lake.My Note book quit and my SeeYou logger with it.My Crew was glad I did not press on. Glider in the box, got the beer, sun shower, cooked dinner, relaxed with an other cool one while watching the sunset, then the moon and the stars. After a good night, fresh coffee and breakfast, ready to trek home.Good outing and my 1st 500-K this season.Karl C3 Sean Eckstein, August 20:There were a few hurdles to be aware of on this flight, a TFR, smoke, and a head wind.There was a TFR just east of Crystal airport because of a fire, luckily the wind was from the SW and the TFR didn't expand into the mountains where we normally climb up to start our flights.The second hurdle was smoke from a fire west of Inyokern, unfortunately the wind was from the west and visibility was poor until Olancha. I was able to radio Britton Bluedorn (BB), who was already in the Owens Valley and he said that from Olancha north the visibility was good. (thanks Britton) I had plenty of altitude and was still able to see the valley floor.Altitudes that day were great, when I arrived on the Whites things were going good until I headed north towards Boundary peak, I started to hit strong sink (I was on the wrong side), I decided to leave the Whites and head out to a large dark bottom cloud in the valley, I notice to the south Bishop was looking ugly and was blocked by virga, but I had a landing spot to the north if needed. I was able to climb to 17.9K and had glide to Mina.The glide to Mina showed that the north winds were increasing as predicted, once I reached Mina there were a few clouds left that took me to 11K, I need 13K to make Gabbs. I tried the mountain range to the north but I kept sinking out to fast to get to the north side to work lift and be able to get back to a landing area safely.I kept trying to work lift but the lift and sunlight were running out, I landed a Luning Dry Lake, NV. with the sun getting low.Sean