If you find yourself east of Pasadena with the sun getting low in the sky and the westerly wind speeds getting too high, I recommend using Glendora as your alternative LZ. There you will find large parks and not too many power-lines. And if you end flying backwards downwind of the nearest park, the streets are wide enough to land even a rigid wing. Here's my favorite LZ/street in Glendora:
If my shameless attempt at self-glorification is not obvious enough, yesterday I flew from Kagel to Glendora in a bag (although I prefer it referred to as a pantie since I had minimal pantie-bunching, even though I received serious spankings several times). Here it is:
Many thanks to Dana for braving over an hour of Friday rush hour traffic to rescue me, while everyone else consumed every last drop of beer to be found in the LZ.
Well, two or three years ago when we had that great three or four days of up, two paragliders made it to Malibu. No one can come up with their names. If you know of or have their story of the events please let us know!
On April 26, 2004 PG pilot Dean Stratton flew from Kagel to the beach in Malibu. Ron Meyer landed at his parent’s house in Simi (fulfilling a life long dream). Both had max altitude of 15,200’.
The very next day, Bo Criss, Dean Statton and I launched Kagel and topped out at 15,000’.
A large dark cloud street had formed on the north side of the mountain range stretching from Liebre Mountain to at least Wrightwood. Cloud base appeared to be around 16’000’.
Dean and Bo had already gotten on course east bound towards Mt. Wilson and were both doing well. From my vantage point at 15k over Kagel, the glide to the convergence line on the north side looked within reach. I turned north.
While on glide, I got a real good look at the “tiger country�. Although well equipped for a camping trip, the land out options appeared very ugly. We didn’t have a retrieve driver and well………..I chickened out. I’m still kicking myself.
Footnote: On this day, Tony Deleo flew 134 miles from Ojai’s Chiefs Peak to Lucerne Valley. His route was the cloud street that I had been eyeing.
I caught Dean and Bo at Mt. Wilson. The day seemed to be petering out. Max altitudes got lower with every thermal. All 3 of us flushed out to the front points.
I landed on a fire road behind La Verne at the 35 mile mark. Dean Stratton landed in La Verne at 39 miles. Bo Criss took the day with a 41 mile flight landing in Claremont.
Dean called an employee to come get us. Back home in Ojai at 10pm.
But 15,000' msl , that must be some sort of record at Kagel! I barely got a third of the way there, since I left Kagel at 5,500' msl. The highest I got the entire flight was 7,000' msl at Lukens. Although, I was happy enough after landing at 34 miles, knowing that I had made it over halfway to Crestline.
BTW, April 27, 2004 was the same day Adam Stone flew 110 miles from Kagel to Palm Springs with an Ultra Sport.
It is my understanding that Juan Corral has gotten to about 16,000 from Kagel. But, of course, that was on a hang glider.
And Adam got pretty high on his long flight, but not near Kagel, despite the fact that he launched from there.
On Brown Sunday, I got to 13,500 (between 22 & West Towers) and deliberately left the lift, as the storm was getting closer. The top of the lift appeared to be at least another 4,000 above me and probably much higher. I don't doubt that someone with more testicular fortitude than brains could have reached the legal limit that day.
Congratulations!
, that must be some sort of record at Kagel! I barely got a third of the way there, since I left Kagel at 5,500' msl. The highest I got the entire flight was 7,000' msl at Lukens. Although, I was happy enough after landing at 34 miles, knowing that I had made it over halfway to Crestline.