Sylmar Hang Gliding Association

Save your vacation days at work, because September 25-27 are the tentative dates for this year's annual Big Sur trip.

Now, perhaps you're wondering, "what about campsites? I don't want to sleep on launch like they did last year." Although no reservations were made, the plan is to send an advance party as early as Wednesday to secure the 'first come, first serve' campgrounds. However, to do that, we need an estimate of how many people plan on coming. Obviously, after the enormous success of last year, we are sure that most everyone in the club wants in on this year. So we need a head count to figure out how many campgrounds we need to save.

If you've never been to Big Sur before, let me explain why you should go: 1st off, the flights. 3 to 4 hours are the norm. Don't listen to what the naysayers snivel about sled runs, they're just trying to keep all the action to themselves. Bring a sweater, it gets cold flying up there at 17 thousand. 2nd, the view. Only under the rarest conditions is it foggy up there. Bring a camera with lots of memory.

Seriously though, plan on a good time with fun people and great camping. We'll work out the logistics of transportation later. For food, I'm willing to arrange a 3 day menu to feed anyone interested, I'll keep receipts and we'll split the costs evenly. If you don't have a tent, let us know; some of us have extras.

So...who's coming?

Suai & I are in B J ----This is going to be a great trip.

Hey BJ! I plan to go to Big Sur this year. I am sure that Jacquie wants to go as well. There is still a chance she will decide not to go but at this time please put me in for two.

I may be able to go up early with someone to help save sites. Would prefer not to drive my vehicle this year.

I'm planning to join you on this trip, too.

bricksfly wrote:I may be able to go up early with someone to help save sites. Would prefer not to drive my vehicle this year.

Turns out I have a mandatory training to attend the morning of 9/24 and will be able to leave by noon on the 24th if that helps at all and if there are others going at that time. Thanks

I planning to be there Friday morning. I also plan to fly Funston on Monday and maybe marina too.

Adam Newman

Is "Lucky Chuck" going to be there ?

BJ-I'm In!! Last year was amazing, although my flights only averaged about an hour and a half each. But I think I broke 14K the second day. I remember thinking I could see my house from up there.

Plus, if you're in, then I'm hoping for the 'ol pancake breakfasts! Let's coordinate. I volunteer to be a chef, dishwasher or whatever you need.

Let's see if we can talk Joe into Cayucos on the way back like last time. That little hill was a blast!

Looking forward to it, and if I can talk my wife into it, she'll be there as well!

BJ Strand wrote:Save your vacation days at work, because September 25-27 are the tentative dates for this year's annual Big Sur trip.

Now, perhaps you're wondering, "what about campsites? I don't want to sleep on launch like they did last year." Although no reservations were made, the plan is to send an advance party as early as Wednesday to secure the 'first come, first serve' campgrounds. However, to do that, we need an estimate of how many people plan on coming. Obviously, after the enormous success of last year, we are sure that most everyone in the club wants in on this year. So we need a head count to figure out how many campgrounds we need to save.

If you've never been to Big Sur before, let me explain why you should go: 1st off, the flights. 3 to 4 hours are the norm. Don't listen to what the naysayers snivel about sled runs, they're just trying to keep all the action to themselves. Bring a sweater, it gets cold flying up there at 17 thousand. 2nd, the view. Only under the rarest conditions is it foggy up there. Bring a camera with lots of memory.

Seriously though, plan on a good time with fun people and great camping. We'll work out the logistics of transportation later. For food, I'm willing to arrange a 3 day menu to feed anyone interested, I'll keep receipts and we'll split the costs evenly. If you don't have a tent, let us know; some of us have extras.

So...who's coming?

BJ, Im convinced after all...Im in and ready to take part in cooking as well as flying, I have a tent that sleeps 3 comfortably, and some other camping gear, like to chip in for food as long as we get some stakes and Persian Caviar!

bricksfly wrote:

bricksfly wrote:I may be able to go up early with someone to help save sites. Would prefer not to drive my vehicle this year.

Turns out I have a mandatory training to attend the morning of 9/24 and will be able to leave by noon on the 24th if that helps at all and if there are others going at that time. Thanks

I'd like to join this trip this year, assuming I don't get stuck into another obligation that Saturday. Unless something changes, I'd leave SD around noon on that Thursday.

i'm planning on going but wont be able to leave until sometime on friday. i'd like to also check out marina beach if someone's flown there before.

I flew at Marina Beach once, about 200 feet, touched a wingtip on my first turn, spun in and bent a downtube. It's a great site. Fredrick did well there.

Tokiko and I will probably go on the Big Sur adventure this time.

Don wrote:Is "Lucky Chuck" going to be there ?

Sure hope so! We can always use willing drivers, and he knows the quickest way to the bottom of the hill, just aim the car straight down

Don, you're coming this year, right?

Steve90266 wrote:I think I broke 14K the second day.

Only 14K? I told you to fly with oxygen. It isn't the kiddie hills of Owens Valley, it's real flying at Big Sur.

Steve90266 wrote:Plus, if you're in, then I'm hoping for the 'ol pancake breakfasts! Let's coordinate. I volunteer to be a chef, dishwasher or whatever you need.

Let's see if we can talk Joe into Cayucos on the way back like last time. That little hill was a blast!

Looking forward to it, and if I can talk my wife into it, she'll be there as well!

Wonderful! Pancakes are on the menu, but I hate cooking, so I'm glad you're volunteering ahead of time to cook; I'll be taking you up on that. And yes, definitely bring your wife!

[quote="Majid "dion""]BJ, Im convinced after all...Im in and ready to take part in cooking as well as flying, I have a tent that sleeps 3 comfortably, and some other camping gear, like to chip in for food as long as we get some stakes and Persian Caviar![/quote]

Good to hear from you Dion! Glad you're coming!

What camping trip is complete without Persian Caviar? We'll see if there's room in the budget for it....

Thanks, but I seriously doubt I will be making it. Been there (once), done that! You know how I feel about Sled Rides.

I await your comprehensive recounting of the weekend's events.

I am helping Joe organize the Big Sur trip. Here are the details:

Dates: September 25-27.

If anyone is available to go up on Thursday to help secure spots please let us know. If you are driving up and have space let me know so I can get a car pool list together. I plan on driving up early Friday and will have room in the van for at least one other passenger but I need to leave by 1pm on Sunday. Joe’s plans are as follows:

Plan to meet at the Sylmar LZ at 3pm on Friday, September 25th. Trucks leave at 4pm. We'll stop for fast food on the road and arrive at the campground by 10pm. We will drive back on Sunday, September 27th at around 3pm for a 9pm arrival back at the Sylmar LZ.

We hope for 2 flights on Saturday and 1 flight Sunday morning (weather permitting). A successful trip can help qualify Hang-2s for an instructor sign-off for Big Sur.

Cost for Hang 4's, 3's and H-2's that were previously signed off = $10 per night campground fee and ride up fee's only.

Costs for Hang 2's (training) = $150 (includes campground fees and rides up w/ Greblo

Food costs (You may bring food or eat at restaurant). The restaurant is expensive ($10-$12 for breakfast) There are no site use fees for flying.

See link to the general map of Big Sur (http://www.bigsurcalifornia.org/map.html).

We will be getting campsites at "Plaskett Creek Campground" at Sand Dollar Beach in Pacific Valley 30 miles north of San Simeon (Hearst Castle). You can view the Plaskett Creek info at http://www.recreation.gov/camping/Plask ... ampingSpot

Plaskett Creek has 44 sites each with a parking pad, picnic table, fire ring and pedestal barbeque. There are water spigots located throughout the campground, but there is no water, sewer or electrical hookups. Two cars are allowed per site.

Other info about flying at Big Sur: http://www.flyzephyr.com/bigsur.htm. Directions to the launch sites can be found here. Contrary to the note on this page, the Los Padres Forest is completely open (according to Ranger Lynn at the King City Ranger Station J). I will let you know if that changes.

Recommended Gear: Pack light! Need flight equipment, 2 meter radio (loaners available), sleeping bag, small tent, flashlight, water, food, drinks, bug repellant, sunscreen, sun hat, still and/or video camera.

Nights are cool to chilly, days are warm to hot (70's-90's).

Please let me know if you can provide a driver for any of the trips up the hill.

Driving Directions are as follows:
Take Interstate 5 North.

Take Hwy 46 West (Junction City at the I-5 is Lost Hills * approx 125 miles north of Sylmar).

(Note, approx 65 miles west of Lost Hills at Paso Robles, Hwy 46 joins with the 101 South for about 10 miles before heading West again).

Take Hwy 1 North (Junction City at the end of Hwy 46 is Harmony approx 25 miles West of Paso Robles).

Plaskett Creek Campground is approx 75 miles north of Harmony once you pass Gorda (four miles north), you’re almost there!

From Sylmar - http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF&m ... 74a0192677

When you get to the campground, check the message board to see if someone has already secured spots. Hopefully someone will be able to go up on Thursday and hold three + spots for our group (depending on the number who plan to go), if you do go up early, put a note on the board so the rest of us can find you!

Email me at czumpft@singular.com if you have any questions. I have already heard from several members - thank you! My cell is 626-379-2414. This sounds like a great trip!

Cyndia

I am going up Thursday after work - about 5:30pm from Glendale. I'm driving to Cambria, staying 1 night in a hotel there, then heading to the campground early on Friday morning. I have 1 spot left in my Tahoe - possibly 2. The hotel room will be about $33 including tax for that night, but that includes a full breakfast. It will be a queen sofabed available. I will probably fly once each on Friday and Saturday, not sure about Sunday. I might stop at a couple vineyards on the way back... I have a driver (as always!) It would be great if someone could grab an extra campsite for me when people leave first thing on Friday morning!

Is someone collecting cell phones for coordination? I forgot if cell phones even work there. Here is the deal I found on the hotel. Not sure how long this will last. It ended up being a little more than this - maybe people are booking these up since the email came out this morning.
http://hotels.travelzoo.com/california- ... mail_top20

Rob

Hi Rob,
I am coordinating cell numbers - so email me yours - czumpft@singular.com and I'll add it to the list. I'll send the info out to everyone Thursday so folks have it.

Still not sure who is going up Thursday , but hopefully they will be able to get several spots. The Forest service is apparently enforcing the 2 cars per spot rule.

Cyndia

When I was there - 3 years ago (was it 4 years) - cell phone service was possible if you stood on your left foot, had your left arm raised straight up, right leg bent up and outward, and had your head leaning at a 30 degree angle to the left rearwards. Get the picture?

Seriously, cell service was non existent (except for one instance). I drove about 15 miles to make a call.

Maybe things have improved in the last couple of years - but unless you know for sure - don't bet on it.