Owens Valley on Labor Day Weekend, 2009

Post by **Ken Andrews** » Tue Aug 25, 2009 9:21 pm

Several past Labor Day weekends, a bunch of SHGA ruffians have headed to the Owens Valley for big X-C miles under the guidance of Hungary Joe. Other times, we haven't had enough pilots to make the trip happen. Which will this year be? If you are interested, please post here or contact Ken Andrews. Those I know about now are Joe Petrosian, Jay Devorak, Igor Botvinnik, and myself. If we fail to reach critical mass this year, a friend and I are considering a few days of backpacking somewhere along the east side of the Sierras, and we'd welcome additional people for that alternative too.

Outline: This is a cross-country flying and camping trip. Hence, pilots must have at least high-hour hang-3 skills, good cross-country judgement, and the approval of Hungary Joe. One must also enjoy wilderness camping with no facilities, other than a swim if we're lucky. For more details, maps, and a list of waypoints, see the trip information from 2004 at http://www.shga.com/forum/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=293, and 2006 at http://www.shga.com/forum/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=1091.

Schedule: We'll depart from the Sylmar LZ on Friday afternoon, September 4, and camp at Tuttle Creek campground near Lone Pine late that night. Assuming the weather cooperates, we launch Walts Point on Saturday morning and fly north as far as 100 miles to Janie's Ranch. We'll probably camp somewhere near the north end of the valley that night, and fly from Gunter or Flynn's on Sunday. Perhaps we make local flights from Walt's Point on Monday, and drive home Monday evening, September 7.

Logistics: This year, the Suburban isn't dependable enough to make the trip. That means we probably need two smaller vehicles, two drivers, and enough carrying capacity for all our flying and camping gear. If you can contribute to solving these logistical difficulties, that would be wonderful!

Malury · Post by **Malury** » Sat Aug 29, 2009 11:35 am

I'm interested in going to the Owens with you. I don;t mind bringing my SUV. It can carry 3 gliders, 4 people. I don't have a driver though and my air conditioning is low on refrigerant. Reliability on it is low, never the less, I am up for the trip. Count me in!

gregangsten · Post by **gregangsten** » Mon Aug 31, 2009 1:58 pm

I'm going to be there with my wife for the weekend. I'm just planning on flying for one day though, and doing some hiking in Big Pine Canyon or Bishop Creek for a day and whatever we feel like for the third day. I hope some others come and join us for one or both.

Dizzy · Post by **Dizzy** » Mon Aug 31, 2009 2:55 pm

I may come for one day. If wind will be light.

jdevorak · Post by **jdevorak** » Wed Sep 02, 2009 10:15 am

The amount if interest is growing. We could possibly use my truck. There are some limitations. The racks only have room for 3 gliders and have an 8ft base. So shorter gliders are supported better.

max · Post by **max** » Wed Sep 02, 2009 11:54 am

I am interested to, my van can carry four gliders, sorry don't have a driver. Kan let me know what time on Friday and what the vehicle setup is.

gregangsten · Post by **gregangsten** » Wed Sep 02, 2009 2:52 pm

Well I can carry four more gliders on Saturday and chase as well. Unless the weather demands otherwise, that's the day I'll fly.

Post by **Ken Andrews** » Wed Sep 02, 2009 10:52 pm

There's evidently a lack of interest in a multiple-day camping and flying trip, so as I'm sure you have deduced by now, I've concluded this isn't the year for it. The trip was successful in 2004, 2006, and 2008, so apparently an even-numbered year is essential. By the way, my attempt at coordinating a backpacking trip hasn't fared any better. With our Sylmar airspace closed for the foreseeable future, maybe I'll have no excuse to do otherwise than stay here and get work done. What a sad state of affairs!

gregangsten · Post by **gregangsten** » Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:42 am

Way too sad, Ken. C'mon up and fly Saturday, hike Sunday. There's room in the truck for a few on Saturday, BTW. If anyone else is interested, let me know.

Malury · Post by **Malury** » Thu Sep 03, 2009 11:35 am

Well, how about re-directing ourselves to Garlock for a one day X-C adventure Saturday? It has great potential. I don't know about the weather, there is a hurricane coming up from Baja Mexico. Waddaya tink?

Malury · Post by **Malury** » Thu Sep 03, 2009 11:42 am

Or how about Garlock on Sunday? Many of us have a holiday on Monday.

Dizzy · Post by **Dizzy** » Thu Sep 03, 2009 1:56 pm

Garlock is not the best choice for this weekend because:
1. Smoke from the fires
2. Wind speed and direction

Dizzy · Post by **Dizzy** » Tue Sep 08, 2009 1:09 pm

We had a good time in Owens. Here is my story:
http://skydizzy.blogspot.com/

Alex

JD · Post by JD » Tue Sep 08, 2009 1:31 pm

Sorry we missed you up there Ken. Me and Dizzy drove up at 4AM Saturday and we ran into Greg & Nurit at the Cafe at 8AM and we're wondering why you didn't just make it a day trip. It would have been great to have you in the mix. I wasn't originally planning on going until I got a cell call from Bob A from the Santa Barbara club on Thursday. Between Southside's forecast and and Dizzy's too it was apparent that Saturday was the only day either one of us wanted to be there. And that's how it worked out in the end. Friday got rained out and Sunday the lapse rate was weak and the Westerlies created leeward turbulence on top of that.

Me & Alex:

Sylmar Hang Gliding Association

Owens Valley on Labor Day Weekend, 2009

Owens Valley on Labor Day Weekend, 2009

Owens over Memorial Day weekend

driving

Owens camping and flying trip cancelled

labor day

Weather

Owens