Early in the week is seemed that at least some of the "stars were aligned" and a couple of us wanted to go to Garlock. As the week progressed the "stars" started to unalign - there was a threat of thunder storms in the desert.
Richard Shaw suggested Dunlap - he hadn't been there and wanted to go and rather than take a chance on Garlock let's just go to a "sure thing".
Thursday evening I made the obigatory calls to the site monitor and the owner of the LZ. Things were set.
At 7 AM on Saturday we pulled out of the Sylmar LZ - Malury, Richard, Eric (Brown), BJ, and myself. On the way to "Dan's LZ" we stopped to check out two other alternative LZs - just in case anyone got high enough to go some place.
At launch there were nearly 20 Paragliders already in the air - none appeared to be getting high and they were all working the house thermal. We took our time setting up, checking out the launch ramp, and the newly cleared launch slope. Finally, about 2:30 PM, the Paragliders had left and Richard launched. He climbed slowly and reported that the conditions were somewhat roudy. A few minutes later Malury made the running launch from the ramp. Convinced that it was soarable and within his "confort zone" BJ launch and I was right behind him. Eric choose to use the slope.
Shortly after launching BJ was getting low and headed toward the LZ - unzipped, upright, and in the staging area he caught a thermal and in a few minutes was up and back to exploring the local scenery. This happened a second time before he finally landed with nearly a hour. Richard and Eric also had ~ 1 hour flights.
Malury and myself were dueling for the unspoken bragging rights - highest and longest flight. I won the highest with 7,100+' (Malury was just under 7k) but Malury got the longest with ~2:45 (I had ~2:30) - a short flight by "Malury Standards". After we mutually agreed that it was time to end the comp we headed out over the valley towards the LZ. The magical "glass off" was happening. Flying at trim the vario alternated between slow beeps and short periods of silence. It was tempting to see how long it would last, but with a long drive home still ahead of us we both used the periods of silence to spiral down and landed.
In the LZ we met Dan Fleming - owner of the LZ and discussed the great flying conditions at Dunlap. We departed about 7PM - arriving back in Sylmar about 11:30PM. A long day but a welcome change from the usual.
8/9/08 Garlock - scratch that ... Dunlap!
This was an awesome trip, and a great place to fly! Big thanks to Don for arranging, driving, and showing us all the LZ's!
Evidently, according to Dan the LZ owner, the LZ is somewhat of a thermal generator, which allowed for myself, and also Eric, to find lift there. According to my GPS, the first thermal I found there took me from 2,950 ft MSL (700 ft AGL) to 6,300 ft MSL. Eric had a similar result I believe. My flight lasted 1 hour and 36 minutes.
Dan the owner also seems to have employed a retired instructor, who used to teach in Hawai'i, to live and manage the LZ. His name is Greg and was a willing driver. He also pointed out from launch all the 'do not land' fields. I think Don has his contact information. There is a wonderful little pond next to the LZ which according to Greg makes for some great fishing. Maybe a good activity if you bring your own driver, decide to camp up there with your family, or if you think you'll be the first to land.
Don and Malury had the longest flights and yet, they were the only two with enough energy to stay awake the whole ride back.
The view from 6,300 was amazing. If anyone plans to go up there on a Saturday, please let me know as I'd love to go again.
Evidently, according to Dan the LZ owner, the LZ is somewhat of a thermal generator, which allowed for myself, and also Eric, to find lift there. According to my GPS, the first thermal I found there took me from 2,950 ft MSL (700 ft AGL) to 6,300 ft MSL. Eric had a similar result I believe. My flight lasted 1 hour and 36 minutes.
Dan the owner also seems to have employed a retired instructor, who used to teach in Hawai'i, to live and manage the LZ. His name is Greg and was a willing driver. He also pointed out from launch all the 'do not land' fields. I think Don has his contact information. There is a wonderful little pond next to the LZ which according to Greg makes for some great fishing. Maybe a good activity if you bring your own driver, decide to camp up there with your family, or if you think you'll be the first to land.
Don and Malury had the longest flights and yet, they were the only two with enough energy to stay awake the whole ride back.
The view from 6,300 was amazing. If anyone plans to go up there on a Saturday, please let me know as I'd love to go again.
