Two years ago, Hungary Joe and a group of eight pilots (Adam Stone, Richard Brunt, Joe Petrosian, Bruce Kovac, Alex Khan, John Leone, Tom Schaffer, and myself) spent a great Labor Day weekend in the Owens Valley. If there are eight qualified and committed pilots, we can do it again this year! The tentative plan follows.
September 2, 3, and 4 (Labor Day Weekend, Sat, Sun, Mon)
* Two Days of Flying
* World Class Guidance and Instruction
* Transportation and Retrieval Provided
* About $200
<b>Overview</b>
An introduction to hang gliding in the Owens Valley with Joe as your guide, instructor, and driver. This is a rare opportunity to tap Joe's knowledge of the Owens, as well as XC flight.
Eight pilots will depart from the Sylmar LZ, in the Suburban, on Saturday, at 5 AM. There will be a guide to Owens sites on the way up to Horseshoe Meadows, and that afternoon we will fly Walt's Point. Camping Saturday is near Gunter, with Sunday launch at Gunter. Camping Sunday is near Gunter again, and Monday is for driving home.
You will get Hungary Joe's famous map of the Owens, glider and gear transport, a seat in the suburban (gas included), orientation to launches and LZs, general XC instruction, specific Owens instruction (including information about several other launches and LZs), transportation to launches, chase and retrieval by Hungary Joe, stories around the camp fire, etc.
<b>Logistics</b>
In order for this to happen, we need the following:
Eight pilots that:
- are qualified
- are serious
- have signed up
- have paid a deposit in advance
- Good weather
Additional pilots can join the expedition, but they will have to provide their own transportation and retrieval. The fee will be reduced in that case (amount negotiated after the event).
<b>Qualifications</b>
All pilots must be:
- at least Hang 3
- current USHGA members
- approved by Hungary Joe
<b>Additional Information</b>
The truck leaves from and returns to the Sylmar Flight Park. This is primitive camping; be prepared. The Owens can get very hot; bring lots of water. Gliders will go on top of the Suburban. Joe will have a trailer for camping and flying gear. It will be better to bring more stuff than you need. We can consolidate as we load the trailer, if necessary.
There will be opportunities to eat at restaurants along the way, including dinner. Firewood is not necessary. Also, spare down tubes might come in handy. Also, flights in the Owens can reach altitudes where oxygen is recommended. We may be in for cold temperatures (40's) at night, be prepared.
<b>Registration</b>
Please reply to me if you are interested. Registration details will follow.
Owens Valley trip on Labor Day weekend
Moderator: Event Co-Ordinator
- Ken Andrews
- Site Admin
- Posts: 215
- Joined: Mon Jun 06, 2005 8:22 pm
- Location: Pasadena
- Ken Andrews
- Site Admin
- Posts: 215
- Joined: Mon Jun 06, 2005 8:22 pm
- Location: Pasadena
More information on Owens trip
<b>Pilot Roster</b>
The current list of participants is:
Ken Andrews
Gary Wesler
Kate Freemantle
Jay Devorak
Joe Petrosian
Markus Schaedler
Alex Khan
Scott Orland (tentative)
Jim Shaw (may travel independently)
George Stebbins (very tentative)
<b>Planning Meeting</b>
There will be a MANDATORY planning meeting in the LZ a week before departure, on Saturday, August 26, after flying (about 5:30 PM). If you cannot make that meeting, please let me know ASAP, and we'll work something out.
The tentative agenda for that meeting includes:
- Make Go / No-go decision (based on 8 committed participants)
- Decide if we depart Friday night or really early Saturday morning
- What to bring
- Maps
- Owens XC strategy
<b>Registration</b>
Still TBD; details will follow about August 21. Basically, by the planning meeting on August 26, we must have at least the minimum number of pilots (eight? seven?), or the trip will be cancelled. If we have more than the maximum number of pilots (eight? nine?), there will be a waiting list, with priority given to those who expressed interest first. Any pilot who drops out after August 26 must either find a replacement, or forfeit the cost of the trip.
The current list of participants is:
Ken Andrews
Gary Wesler
Kate Freemantle
Jay Devorak
Joe Petrosian
Markus Schaedler
Alex Khan
Scott Orland (tentative)
Jim Shaw (may travel independently)
George Stebbins (very tentative)
<b>Planning Meeting</b>
There will be a MANDATORY planning meeting in the LZ a week before departure, on Saturday, August 26, after flying (about 5:30 PM). If you cannot make that meeting, please let me know ASAP, and we'll work something out.
The tentative agenda for that meeting includes:
- Make Go / No-go decision (based on 8 committed participants)
- Decide if we depart Friday night or really early Saturday morning
- What to bring
- Maps
- Owens XC strategy
<b>Registration</b>
Still TBD; details will follow about August 21. Basically, by the planning meeting on August 26, we must have at least the minimum number of pilots (eight? seven?), or the trip will be cancelled. If we have more than the maximum number of pilots (eight? nine?), there will be a waiting list, with priority given to those who expressed interest first. Any pilot who drops out after August 26 must either find a replacement, or forfeit the cost of the trip.
- Ken Andrews
- Site Admin
- Posts: 215
- Joined: Mon Jun 06, 2005 8:22 pm
- Location: Pasadena
<b>Update:</b>
We are planning to depart on Friday evening from the LZ, instead of Saturday morning. Camping on Friday night will be at Tuttle Creek.
<b>Registration:</b>
A $50 deposit is required from all participants by Saturday, August 26 (unless you make other arrangements with me before that date). On Saturday, a go/no-go decision will be made based on the number of deposits received. If the event is cancelled, you will get your deposit back. If you sign up and don't show, and the event is not cancelled, and you don't find someone to take your place, you will not get your deposit back.
Pilots named on the list above have priority and are assured spaces on the trip; others may still request spaces by paying deposits. Priority will be determined by the order in which deposits are received, and a standby list will be maintained if necessary. If you are a standby pilot who does not get a space, your deposit will be returned.
We are planning to depart on Friday evening from the LZ, instead of Saturday morning. Camping on Friday night will be at Tuttle Creek.
<b>Registration:</b>
A $50 deposit is required from all participants by Saturday, August 26 (unless you make other arrangements with me before that date). On Saturday, a go/no-go decision will be made based on the number of deposits received. If the event is cancelled, you will get your deposit back. If you sign up and don't show, and the event is not cancelled, and you don't find someone to take your place, you will not get your deposit back.
Pilots named on the list above have priority and are assured spaces on the trip; others may still request spaces by paying deposits. Priority will be determined by the order in which deposits are received, and a standby list will be maintained if necessary. If you are a standby pilot who does not get a space, your deposit will be returned.
- Ken Andrews
- Site Admin
- Posts: 215
- Joined: Mon Jun 06, 2005 8:22 pm
- Location: Pasadena
- Ken Andrews
- Site Admin
- Posts: 215
- Joined: Mon Jun 06, 2005 8:22 pm
- Location: Pasadena
GPS waypoints
Thanks to combined efforts with Jay, here's a list of GPS waypoints for the Owens valley.
Code: Select all
Name Latitude Longitude Elevation
ABDEEN 36.97801 -118.25340
BASALT 38.00729 -118.27188
BENTON 37.81899 -118.47636 5406
BGPINE 37.16496 -118.28947 3982
BIGEAR 37.23342 -118.28293
BISHOP 37.36355 -118.39514 4144
BLK MT 37.26665 -118.22559 9083
BLKEGL 36.82025 -118.04200
BNDYPK 37.84601 -118.35091 13140
CHLFNT 37.52939 -118.36341 4278
CINDER 37.02882 -118.29040 5215
CRATER 37.11164 -118.30009 6140
DIAZLK 36.56196 -118.05478 3710
GABBS 38.92387 -117.95986
GNTRLZ 37.43416 -118.33804 4144
GUNTER 37.46933 -118.26367 8332
INDAIR 36.81360 -118.20587 3894
INDEP 36.80276 -118.19991
INDIAN 36.88160 -118.33683 11340
JANIES 37.92500 -118.40400 6219
KLONDK 37.20738 -118.30469 3940
LNPINE 36.60610 -118.06286
LP AIR 36.58799 -118.05282 3700
LPPEAK 36.56164 -118.22508 12944
LUNING 38.50693 -118.17676
MANZNR 36.72884 -118.14756 3850
MAZRKA 36.97715 -118.12174 9410
MGPASS 37.97356 -118.32679 7150
MINA 38.39172 -118.10852
MTGYPK 37.83854 -118.35649 13441
OLANCH 36.28192 -118.00647
ONION 36.77532 -118.32962 8775
OWENYO 36.67820 -118.04432
PIUTE 37.51883 -118.32456
PIUTMT 37.53754 -118.23212 12564
PSTAMP 36.53008 -118.10690 5060
RACETR 37.65595 -118.40039
REST 36.96202 -118.23919
RSVOIR 37.05517 -118.22700 3781
TINEMA 37.03603 -118.39734 12561
TUTTLE 36.56499 -118.12620
WALTS 36.47373 -118.11442 9030
WARMSP 37.32536 -118.30415 4190
WESTGD 37.30030 -118.15384
WHITEM 37.63504 -118.25546 14246
WHITNY 36.57915 -118.29254 14491
WHTRAN 37.61493 -118.39235 4550
WPORTL 36.58911 -118.22594