Owens Valley trip on Labor Day weekend

[Ken Andrews]

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.

[Ken Andrews]

<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.

[Ken Andrews]

<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.

[Ken Andrews]

<b>Navigation</b>

If you don't have a GPS, this might be a good time to get one. If you do, this might be a good time to learn how to use it. Either way, it's worth being familiar with these maps:

[Ken Andrews]

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