Garlock to Trona X/C - Fully narrated flight video

A place to stretch the truth a little...
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JD
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Garlock to Trona X/C - Fully narrated flight video

Post by JD »

Last edited by JD on Tue Apr 24, 2012 11:51 am, edited 2 times in total.
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adamwn2000
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Post by adamwn2000 »

I would like to this time to publicly apologize to all my friend for my radio issues on this trip. Two flights two different headsets same annoying problem. Sundays flight was even worse, I was the last to land. :oops:
So I apologize for that.
Next time lets continue on to Death Valley and land at Stovepipe Wells Airport. And I promise no more porno style narration of my flights.
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Benjamin Franklin
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JD
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Post by JD »

Adam's radio issue is not that unusual. It is one of many reasons I have a custom headset w/ a large speaker kill switch on the side of my helmet. It also has the finger switch on a short lead from the speaker so there is no arm wire to fatigue and break and only one wire to hook up each flight. The finger switch is mounted inside my chin guard and I find it fairly easy to reach even in turbulence. In the worst case I prop my left elbow on the control bar while I'm transmitting. I can still transmit w/ the speaker off. My headset was made by Steve Prater in AR: http://pttguy.com/html/_pilot_line1.html
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OP
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Post by OP »

Adam, count me in. Next time the forecast looks similar, lets get a driver and go!


For the radio issue. I'm just glad it didn't happen to me. Some of my most personal thoughts are expressed at volume when I fly. The only solitude left is flying.
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adamwn2000
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Post by adamwn2000 »

The PTT on the actual radio was getting pushed in by all the crap that I had in my harness(I think) but with the new Bluetooth head set I can mount the radio anywhere, so i'm going to try in the sail and use the airframe as a ground plane.
OP, you got it. lets get that triple digit flight in this year. Yes?
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Benjamin Franklin
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Post by OP »

Yes, I'm in.

Here is what I propose: Start with your basic Garlock route to Trona. No need to get an earlier start. We were too early on Saturday, Sunday was just about right. The later in the day the winds improve, as well as the lift. The only tricky part is making sure you get a safe launch.

When making the turn in to the Trona environs stay high on the Coso range, aiming for Argus peak (6000').

Make the best glide for the Panamints near the "town" of Ballarat. Try to cross at the pass that separates Searless valley and the Panamint valley.

Work along the side of the Panamint mountains keeping a road or Ballarat in glide. Once topped out over the tallest peak in the Panamint's, Telescope Peak (11k), we will have Furnace Creek airport within glide.

The perfect CUs with nice crisp bottoms sat beautifully upon telescope peak on Sunday. It would have been easy to go over the back.

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OP
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Post by OP »

Actually, once on the Panamints, I would try to go North upon them. Trying to cross to the Funeral Mountains over the legal landing zone of Furnance Creek, crossing to Winters Peak.

Work up the Funerals, going on glide to Beatty, NV when possible.

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It's a tad over 120 mile straight line flight from our launch to goal airport.
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On arrival we will be treated to the world famous facilities of the Beatty airport: Makes Torna look inviting.
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Last edited by OP on Wed Apr 25, 2012 3:13 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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JD
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Post by JD »

OP wrote:....Here is what I propose....
Before reinventing the wheel, here are a couple of flight I did over the back due North
http://www.paraglidingforum.com/leonardo/flight/268578 88 miles
http://www.paraglidingforum.com/leonardo/flight/245524 82 miles
It's possible to go a lot farther but after a while it becomes little more than expensive, self-abuse. X/C ain't cheap. At the least make it as fun as possible. It will always be challenging.

On South-West days, I'm not sure you can safely get off the hill at Garlock. We had prevailing SSE both days.
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Post by OP »

All good points,

However if we where going to go Owens, we should probably just do Walt's. You have a better chance at the making the Arberdeen / Big Pine gap to the Inyos or Whites for a 100 milers before you get shutdown from the West.

Also the gap between Garlock and Boomer ridge looks distant. I'm not sure if the rig i'm comfortable with going XC has a chance. Just because Alex G can make it in his PG doesn't mean I can. His thing glides equal to me and he his a bunch more experience.
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Steve90266
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Post by Steve90266 »

Awesome video, Jonathan. Thanks for documenting the trip. I liked who you were able to meld the tracks of the four gliders at the end. Very cool.
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Post by Dizzy »

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Fast Eddy
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O P

Post by Fast Eddy »

That is a GREAT THERORY,

However if you get into DEATH VALLEY big sink hole... Where not even the sail plane pilots go even if there are cloud streets over it.

Always keep in mind it is usually a wind funnel. From the south. Also, if you left the airport or come up short. Landing in the park is a Fed. Offense and YOU can be fined up to 5K. WE do not have the proper permits as we do to fly lets say Yosemite....

GRANTED this has been argued for YEARS!~!~!~! However, I have been warned after landing JUST outside the park when a ranger saw me land. As has Old HERB...

There will be a day to go Over the Park. Granted, there are always proper conditions... Just be ready to be in the ground in 20 to 35 MPH winds. 120* plus heat, and blowing ultra fine sand...

Wish you well in this one and let us know how it turns out and if you make Beaty NV,,,

Diablo and I will be working on a More Southern route Via Straw Peak. Bron Mountain. Owls Heads. ShoShone and over Chicago Valley to Pahrump NV to Mount Charleston etc...
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