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June 1981

July 1981

August 1981

Amazing Cloud Flight

Rating Day at Hicks

Regionals Rehearsal

Regionals

4th of July

Volume 26c

Volume 26b:

May 18, 1981 to July 22, 1981

Monday, May 18, 1981 - 8:25 PM

We got packed up in the morning and off by about ten, after touching base with Bones and Sharol and also with Jon James. Jon was only going up for the day.

In Cloverdale, the Scout was running poorly at low speed, and when I got gas, I couldn't start it again. Opening the hood, I noticed a puddle of gas on the manifold. On turning the engine over, more gas poured from the top of the carburetor. Reluctantly, I started taking the float bowl cover off.

Bones and Sharol arrived, and Bones helped me. We found that the inner valve mechanism was loose. Figured out how to tighten it up, and put it back together. Then it ran okay, so we headed on up to Elk, after a stop at the Bluebird Cafe for some breakfast for Mary.

At Elk, Jon was just heading up the mountain with Rich Sauer. Also, a message was relayed from a flier from "Captain Cumulus" (Mel) at Hull Mountain. We said we'd call him when we got to the top of Elk.

We also said hi to Holly, and to John Cochran, who'd just landed in his new Harrier, and also to Craig.

We headed up soon, but while attempting to climb the first steep part, the Scout sputtered and died. Figured it was a carburetor problem due to the float.

But we decided it would be best just to go to Hull, as Mel said it was okay there. He was on top, ready to fly. So we drove back down to get the yellow bus, then headed for Hull Mountain. Roy decided to head over there too.

So we met Roy at the campground, loaded our gliders on his truck, and headed up the mountain. By then it was 4:30.

Mel had flown by the time we got to the top, and according to Curt, had a shaky takeoff from the NW side of the Rockpile. The wind was coming across from the north at the Rockpile, and while stronger on the backside on top, the ramp was launchable but with almost no wind.

Sharol said it was a rotor, but I don't think so, as the wind wasn't strong enough. But we decided to go down to lower takeoff anyway.

There it was coming up the bowl in good cycles, though crossy when they faded. I decided to fly, though Bones, Sharol, and Roy declined.

So I set up my glider, carried it up to the part of the road with the good lip, and got ready to launch.

Concentrated on keeping my nose down, ran hard, and got a good launch into a thermal. As I came around the lower takeoff I got some lift, but when I turned back into it I sank out, so turned back and headed out low across the ridge near Red Spot, just a little above the trees, with a slight tail wind.

Passed Red Spot with no lift, so headed on down the main ridge, just down from the crest, low over the trees. Headed partway out over the valley where I began to find a bit of lift. Circled tentatively and was able to maintain and gain a little. Soon found stronger lift and stayed with it, climbing up over the lower ridge where it got stronger still. Stuck with it from about 2500' agl to 5200' where it seemed to top out high above the dogleg.

From there I headed out high toward the lake, looking for more lift but not finding it. Came over the lakeside with 4000', circled around looking for more lift. Got some zero-sink at about 1800' but eventually passed through it, set up a good landing approach, made a few passes over the trees until I was low enough, then turned into the wind and made a good landing with a good flare.

Was glad I'd flown, as it was a new kind of experience.

Mary wasn't feeling well, had a headache, and decided to go home with Mel and Lynne. I was a bit disappointed, but it was okay.

We got a fire going, I set up my tent, and we had some dinner. It was Bones and Sharol, Roy, Curt and a friend of his named Paul, and me. After dinner we were fairly quiet and all went to bed early.

Slept okay, though I had to put a tarp over my tent, as the full moon looked like a lightbulb in the top of my tent. In the morning it was all clouded over, even drizzled a bit. We were disappointed, as we'd expected Sunday to be clear, warm, and sunny.

By eleven it showed no signs of clearing, so I decided to head on home to work on the Scout. Everyone else decided to leave also, so we all packed up and left. Got home at 2 PM.

Called Mary. Then worked on the Scout. Drained the oil, changed the oil filter, and also changed the fuel filter. Also took the carburetor apart again and adjusted the float higher.

Friday, May 22, 1981 - 7:40 AM

Then I went over to Mary's for dinner, which she cooked.

Wednesday night I installed the new fuel pump and got everything working properly. Had to open the carburetor again to adjust the float lower, and it worked fine.

This weekend is Memorial Day. Looking forward to heading up to Hull Mountain. Bones will be riding up with me. It'll be crowded but should be nice. Called Anne, also Dan, and others about weekend plans.

Saturday, May 23, 1981 - 8 AM

Slept pretty well.

Monday, May 25, 1981 - 3:45 PM Memorial Day

Reviewing... On Saturday morning I loaded up the Eagle Scout and headed over to Bones' about 9 AM.

I'd called Mary, who'd decided not to go to Dillon Beach with Sharol, which turned out to be a good decision, as it was crowded and not even flyable because of high winds.

Bones and I loaded his gliders (his Comet and a Harrier he was delivering to a guy at Hull), and we headed north.

Lake Pillsbury was packed with people, wall to wall campsites, lots of motorcycles, boats, and parties. We found Stretch and Anne, Joe, Roy, Tom and others, and went to join their camp, where we unloaded some of our stuff.

But a little later, Joe and I were looking along the road further east and found a better site, unoccupied, and nearer the landing area, with a fire pit and all. So we moved our stuff and secured it, and soon everyone else moved in there. It turned out to be a very nice site, somewhat secluded from the rest of the Oak Flat area.

Unfortunately, weather conditions weren't good for flying, and what flights we saw in the next hour or so were downwind sprints to the landing area and turbulent landings coming in off the lake.

A guy named Hank landed in the water hard and broke the keel on his new Harrier. Stretch said he almost landed in the lake also, and the trees created a lot of turbulence.

It was the first time I had seen an offshore wind there, as the wind was coming down the valley from the NW. Conditions on launch hadn't been good either.

After setting up camp, I took a walk through "the city" at Oak Flat. It was a bizarre scene, with so many people and camps packed in together.

Kept going over to the airstrip and found a group of hang glider people there too. They were from Mission Soaring mostly, including Pat Denevan and George Pierson. I talked to Pat awhile, mostly about the upcoming Regionals.

While there, we were in CB contact with Rich Sauer, who was 3000' above Elk Mountain, which was the place to be in those conditions.

Later, back at our camp around five, I asked if anyone were interested in going to the top. Joe and Bones were, and Hank volunteered to drive. So up we went.

We stopped at the lower takeoff, as the top was shrouded in clouds, and a thick white cloudbank was rolling over Windy Gap from the north and dispersing as it sank over the south face. The wind was from the north, too crossy even for the road above lower takeoff. The only launchable place was the NW point of the lower takeoff area, off the rocks above some trees.

Joe started setting up his Highster, but Bones and I were skeptical, felt it would probably be just a fast downwind dash to the lake. So we helped Joe out to the launch, and I filmed his takeoff.

There were clouds of lift forming off the point periodically and he went out there and turned into the wind and started climbing. Then he headed NE toward the face of Windy Ridge where the clouds were rolling over, and to our surprise, he climbed right up over them, 'til eventually he began sinking into them, then turned out lower and headed further out the valley to the west where he found more lift and began climbing back up again, coming over us, and on up to the top of the mountain, above the clouds shrouding the top. We were quite amazed.

Meanwhile, I decided to set up my Raven, and did as quickly as I could. By the time I was ready to launch, the wind at the point had dropped to almost nothing, and the trees below looked awfully menacing. It was almost 7:30 by then.

So I waited a few minutes, 'til there was just a touch of wind, and made a running dive off the end, pulling up just above the trees, and out okay. Nothing was happening off the point anymore, so I headed out the valley to the WNW, trying to find the lift that Joe had found. A few hundred yards out, and 500 to 1000 feet lower, I finally found a bit of lift, so turned north into it.

Bones called by CB to tell me that it was five and a half miles to the landing area, but I felt that since it was downwind, I could turn and make it at least to the creekbed if necessary.

So I persisted in looking for the lift in the area where Joe had found it, and it gradually got stronger and I was climbing at 100 to 200 fpm. Then I was able to head back east toward the mountain, climbing even faster 'til I was even with the clouds forming off the point. Seeing them form was very helpful in knowing where to go, and I was able to go to the fastest rising part and get up above them, a few hundred feet above lower takeoff.

I headed on up the mountain towards the top and was able to get to over 6000' agl, well above the top with Joe, though not directly over it. He and I continued to play around up there, zeroing in on forming clouds and staying above them. It was great fun and the scene was very spectacular, as the movies should show.

There were some pockets of strong turbulence, and I got dumped a couple of times. Joe eventually headed out to the lake, but I stayed up, and Bones and Hank started down in the Scout.

I stayed off the point awhile, then headed further out the valley to the west in what may have been a wave. I was over the tennis courts at Pillsbury Ranch in zero sink headed north into the wind for a long time, in very smooth air at 5000' agl. I headed gradually on up over the ranch house, then more westerly over the polo field, where I encountered more lift, so I gradually crabbed up over the ridge behind the ranch on the west side of the valley, still in lift or zero sink.

After flying over an hour, the sun had set, and it was getting pretty dark, so I decided I'd better land before much longer. So I headed SE over the ridge, then crossed the creekbed next to the lake, the airstrip, and the Oak Flat campground, still with 4000' or so, though the air was more choppy now.

Did a bunch of tight 360s to get lower faster, and was talking to Ernie and the others by CB for most of the flight. They were all out by the landing area, waiting to watch me land. It was almost 9 PM, and I could hardly see the windsock, but finally did. And the air was getting very turbulent and it was hard to keep flying under control, so I couldn't talk any more on the CB.

Had to set up over the lake as it was still blowing offshore. The trees were causing much of the turbulence. About 200' up, the first of two gradients hit me, putting me into a dive. I pulled out level at about 50', but got blasé for a moment, thinking I was through it all, and let my airspeed get too slow, then another gradient hit and I was diving toward the ground. As if in slow motion, I saw the ground coming up, thought I'd pull out okay, but then saw the control bar about to hit the grass. Instinctively, I let go of the control bar and went limp, going through the control frame as the basebar hit, but not hitting anything myself.

I was very happy that I wasn't hurt, but both downtubes were buckled, and my radio antenna was a pretzel. Everyone greeted me and congratulated me on the flight, though I felt somewhat "bummed out" by the crash landing, knowing my flying was over for the weekend.

Tuesday, May 26, 1981 - 7:40 AM

Cooked something to eat, and went to bed around 10:30. It was noisy in the campground, as various inconsiderate types rode their motorcycles around at all hours, raced their cars, and played their radios loud. I didn't sleep much, if at all.

Got up at seven, had coffee and breakfast. Forgot to mention that Sharol had arrived while we were up on the mountain the night before. So had Curt and a friend of his named Dan. Also there were Dan and Anita, Ernie, Hank, Stretch and Anne, Joe, Tom, James and Sandra, and Roy.

In the morning I drove one of three loads of gliders and pilots up for a morning flight. Already there were a bunch from Wings of Rogallo on top setting up.

I took movies of launches 'til I finished all my film. Bones flew the Harrier, Sharol got to fly her old Condor, which Joan had loaned her. Most people took off from the propane tank launch, as that side was active, but a few took off from the Rockpile.

After driving down, I went swimming with Anne. Then Jon James arrived. It had gotten cloudy and overdeveloped in the meantime, though a few, including Stretch, were still up in a convergence area over the road from their second flight.

Got to go now. More later.

Wednesday, May 24, 1981 - 9:25 PM

So we drove back down to lower takeoff, where Jon and Bones started to set up. But it started raining, and later the wind picked up to twenty or so, so they finally gave up and we drove down by 5:30 or so.

I decided I'd drive home Sunday evening, even though several people begged me to stay including Bones, Sharol, and Jon. Hank and Jon both offered me the use of their gliders. Though touched, I declined, feeling tired, and wanting to be able to sleep in and rest up on Monday, as well as miss the heavy traffic on Monday evening. So I packed up my stuff and came home, arriving around 9:30.

Went to bed around 10:30 and slept in 'til eleven the next day, which felt very good for a change. Monday was also cloudy, so I was glad I'd come home, though I found out later that Bones, Sharol, and Jon had all had very good flights on Monday, two hours on the second ones, with widespread lift. But that's okay, I needed the rest.

Bones has my Blue Raven, is putting on a new control bar for me. He also found that the keel is slightly bent, but not too much to straighten.

Friday, May 29, 1981 - 9:30 PM

Mary wants me to take her to the hill tomorrow, so I guess I will. Could test fly Blue Raven if the wind is right.

Tuesday, June 2, 1981 - 8:45 AM

On Saturday, Mary came over and we went out to Crane Creek Park. The wind teased us awhile, periodically coming up nice before switching to predominantly SW. So we set up her glider. But after that there were no good cycles, so we eventually folded up and went home.

On Sunday morning I got up early, was over at Bones and Sharol's by 8 AM. Jon met us there also a few minutes later, and we loaded ours and Hank's glider on the Scout for our trip to Hicks Ranch for our club rating day.

The weather was fine, and we got to the Cheese Factory by nine, where we met others with their gliders, including Hank, Stretch and Anne, Joe, James, Wayne and Bonnie, Ivan, Jim Hanson, Dick and Susan, Kathy, Lisa, Curt and Joanie, and more. We loaded all gliders on four vehicles and proceeded to Hicks Ranch, and on up to the medium hill.

I didn't set up for awhile, instead gave Stretch, James, and Joe a ride on up higher, but we found to our disappointment that the last gate was locked. So they carried their gliders to the next bowl where they eventually launched, but it wasn't soarable.

Soon the others were set up and beginning their rating flights, and everyone was doing very well.

I eventually tried a flight to test fly my Raven after Bones had fixed it. Had a good takeoff, made a few passes against the hill before turning too low towards the landing spot. Skimmed the ground for awhile before slumping in to a poor landing, short of the spot area.

The carry back up the hill was long and hard, though Dick and Jim both did it about eight or nine times during the day. Once was enough for me.

Jon James, after observing all day, eventually set up and made a beautiful flight with precise turns and a perfect landing right on the spot.

Finally we all made our last flights down. I chose to land at the upper area again, had a better flight and landing this time, though still short of the spot.

Then I watched as others flew over and out to the lower landing area. Jon surprised everyone by finding a thermal over the landing area and staying up in it for twenty minutes, and gaining 1000' or so, maxing the site. We all finally left after a fine day.

I had taken the movie camera, but couldn't get it to work. Later I found there was a switch that wasn't set right.

Friday, June 5, 1981 - 7:20 PM

This weekend we're going to Elk for a "rehearsal" of the Regionals.

Monday, June 8, 1981 - 8 PM

10 PM

We met with the Rangers, Ron Stone and Gary Moore, Bones got the Special Use Permit, and we proceeded with Gary to Elk to walk the road.

Drove the Scout up, but had some problems again on the steep part with the carburetor, but got up okay. A bunch of competitors were at the launch slots with George Whitehill, setting up and getting ready.

Bones, Jon, and Sharol walked the road back with Gary, who'd never been up there before. Later I drove down to meet them, but had more trouble getting back up. Finally had to go up the steep part backwards, as the carburetor would flood out and die going forward.

We set up the first pylon, and later set up our gliders to fly. It was soarable, a nice day with W to NW wind.

Jon launched first and quickly got high enough to make pylon 1. I launched a little later (3:43), and also made the pylon quickly, even quicker than Jon, but went around it low (20 feet or so), then worried that I wouldn't be able to make it out of the bowl, but did okay.

We were soon circling high in front of launch with Rich Sauer and a couple of other gliders. Later (over an hour) it was just Jon, Rich, and me. We'd fly far out in front, catching thermals, and circling up and back. At one point, I hooked a good one, got up above Rich and Jon at about 37 or 3800' agl, where the air was glassy smooth and there was lots of zero sink.

Wednesday, June 10, 1981 - 6 PM

Eventually, however, it got harder to get back up, and I finally headed out after Jon sometime after 6 PM. Jon thermalled up over Pitney, then couldn't get back, had to land down the creekbed around the bend. I stayed over the landing area, eventually came down through turbulence and a big gradient, to make a good landing at 6:34 PM.

Saturday evening we went up Pitney for a firewood run, had some dinner, and eventually went to bed. I didn't bother putting up my tent and wasn't bothered by any bugs. It was warm in the morning, somewhat cloudy.

Went up Pitney Ridge with Jon and Bones to put up pylons 2 and 3, then stayed at pylon 2 while some pilots flew the course. A number of them were able to get to pylon 3 around noon, to some peoples' surprise. We picked up one guy, Mark Andreason, who landed up near pylon 2.

Finally Jon, Bones, Rick Kannisto, and I went up to fly, with Sharol driving. But conditions were dying, and some dark clouds were coming across the valley from Horse Mountain.

Jon launched first, maintained awhile, then had to leave with Rick Kannisto. Rick Innocenti also launched, went out fast and had a bad landing, bending both downtubes. Dave Thor was able to get up and stay above the sink before we launched.

Bones launched and soon was heading down the ridge. I followed, turned right for a soaring pass, made a few passes but gradually lost altitude down the hill, so had to head out the west ridge also, to where Bones was finding marginal thermals.

I thermalled there with him for awhile, but gradually lost altitude down the ridge. When we finally turned SE for the landing area, we were pretty low, with me 100' below Bones, not very far above the valley floor. Didn't get any lift on the way out and was worried about making it. In fact, at one point, there was a tall dead tree in front of me at my altitude, and I had to decide which way to go around it.

I went SW, and fortunately so, for I found a little lift over those low hills, and was able to make it over the rest of those hills and out over the landing area with just enough altitude for a crosswind pass, a turn into the wind, and a landing. But I sunk out fast, flared, but couldn't get my legs under me, landed on my belly, dragging my knees over the rocks, but keeping the basebar from digging in, so no damage.

Bones followed me down on his Comet, got popped and turned partway, almost did a ground loop, hitting his nose hard, denting a leading edge on the nose, and tearing his sail a little bit. He was unhappy about that.

Later in the evening, conditions got better again, but we missed them. We soon packed up and left, stopping for pizza at Upper Lake, along with Jon, Bones and Sharol, Mike, Rich, and Dave Thor. Then headed on home, getting here around 10:30 PM.

Had a quick three-day week, before leaving for vacation tonight.

I've been packing up, and will soon head for Elk Mountain and the Regionals.

Tuesday, June 16, 1981 - 8:40 PM

The main thing that stands out about the event was that on the last round of flying, Sunday evening, there was a mid-air collision, and a pilot was killed. At that moment, the situation was transformed from the successful finale of a great Regional meet, to a tragic and depressing aftermath, which overshadowed all the events which had transpired before.

Now, let me review, from the beginning, though that seems eons ago, as each day seemed like two or more.

I packed up and drove up on Wednesday night, arriving around 9:30 PM or so. Most of our group were camped in the NW section of the campground, and there was a campfire going. Bones and Sharol had a teepee standing in the center of the green which was to be the main headquarters for running the meet.

I soon set up my tent, then joined them and others in the teepee to seed the entrants, and set up the first matches of the one-on-one competition format. Eventually went to bed around midnight, with a pilots meeting scheduled for 7:30 AM.

Got up early, and was drafted to take Jon Minnick and his glider up for the opening ceremonies flight. On top also were Dan Raccanelli and Dick Cassetta and others who had camped up there.

So Jon Minnick took off, followed by the others, to fly though some balloons to be released when he was over the campground. I couldn't see the balloons from on top, but evidently it was a good show from down below.

Then I drove down, and made another trip up soon with the competitors, to bring some of them up.

Jon James was Launch Director, and when the first competitors were set up, he began launching them in pairs from the two competition slots by around 10:30 or 11 AM. The conditions were windy from the NW, soarable at launch.

Soon Rick Kannisto asked me to drive the yellow truck and glider trailer down, as one of his drivers hadn't made it up, so I did. It's a bitch to drive, as the steering wheel is too small, and geared too high, so it snaps out of your hand, and you really have to muscle it around.

Waited around at the bottom until the trailer was loaded up with second wave gliders, and drove it back up. By launching until after 7 PM, we were able to complete two full rounds, which was quite an accomplishment.

At night we cooked our dinners around the campfire, and Ernie showed movies over at the center camp, some good 16mm ones he'd sent for, "To Fly," "Phoenix Country," etc. I went to bed early, was quite tired.

Stretch won both of his matches that day, as had Dave Thor and Gib Eggen, so we were all happy.

On Friday, it was much windier. I drove Darrell and Phil Ray up for a rematch of a dead tie they'd had in the second round. It was very turbulent, but we got them launched, and Jon decided to hold for awhile.

We got more pilots up, but it was too windy and turbulent all day, and we ended up being blown out, canceling the day at 4 PM and coming down the hill.

Saturday was also very windy, and crossy from the NE when we got up there, but we managed to get a round of flying in by having a longer "launch window" so the pilots wouldn't be rushed and could wait for a good opportunity.

They couldn't get to pylon 2 and back easily, however, and six consecutive gliders had to land out in the creekbed after rounding pylon 2.

Stretch got beaten by Dan Raccanelli, finally, and Dave Thor did too. But Gib had a great come-from-behind win, catching a wave near Horse Mountain, getting up to 6500' msl (or 5000' agl), following a cloud over to Pitney, making pylon 3, and just making it back to the landing area, so he was 3-0 in class 2.

Also I met Valerie, Sharol's student from Sacramento, who's a somewhat attractive lady, in her own way. She was having a great time, as there were only a few attractive women around, and they were all attached, so Valerie was getting lots of attention, a little of it from me.

Judi Nielsen, the most attractive lady there, and also competing on a Comet, had her old 149 Raven there for sale, and Valerie was looking at it. I recommended that she buy it, but the price ($1200 plus tax) seemed too high to her. But it's almost like new, and with pretty colors.

On Sunday morning we got up earlier than usual, as we wanted to get two rounds in. But on top it was blowing strong from the NE again, creating a dangerous launch situation, so we had to wait and wait.

Finally, by eleven or so, it was giving us short launchable windows. There was discussion about a different task, as pylon 1 seemed unmakeable, but we stuck to our standard task, fortunately. We managed to get one round launched by 4 PM or so, and only one pilot had made pylon 1. A few had declined to launch during one part of the day. If neither pilot could make pylon 1, then the winner was the one who stayed up longer. Gib finally lost his match.

At 5 PM Jon and I drove down the mountain. Sharol and Ernie said we had to have one final round to determine the qualifiers for the Nationals.

I urged strongly that we take what we had and call it a day, but they said there were too many ties. They set up twelve final matches among the 3-1 and 4-0 people to determine the final standings.

Also at this time another controversy arose. Tom Low and Steve Brockman had agreed in the air to come down and flip a coin to determine a winner between them (endurance), as they were tiring and felt they could stay up indefinitely. Tom landed first, but won the toss. Surprisingly, Sharol and Ernie accepted this and gave Tom the win.

I thought this was unacceptable, and Jon and Bones reluctantly agreed with me, but backed down when we confronted Tom and Steve with it, and let it stand, as it was late and they wanted to get the final round up the mountain.

I was feeling very much opposed to having another round so late, and expressed this as strongly as I could, but was overruled. So we headed up the mountain again, Jon riding with me. I was feeling that after a great meet, we were blowing it at the end, was very depressed, but went along, even hoped it would be blown out on top, so we wouldn't have to continue.

It's 10:30 now, I've got to quit writing and go to bed. More tomorrow.

Wednesday, June 17, 1981 - 5:15 PM

At the bottom, we'd decided that the additional round would dispense with pylon 1, so that it wouldn't be an endurance contest, which might last until after dark, but when we got to the top, Jon reversed this, bringing pylon 1 back into the task. I was surprised to learn this, as I'd favored eliminating it to get people down quickly, and Jon had agreed. So I had definite reservations.

But on top, the winds had died down, and when I asked Jon why he'd changed it, he said he thought they wouldn't be able to stay up long.

So after 7 PM, we began launching the finalists, two at a time. They would lose altitude near the top, and head down the ridge 'til they found enough lift to maintain out the NW ridge down fairly low. Only Tom Low, and later his opponent, Dan Raccanelli, were able to make pylon 1.

The rest of them settled down into the growing gaggle of gliders circling in zero sink just north of the bottom of the NW ridge. There were soon up to 14 gliders circling there together, including Gib and his opponent, Tom Vayda, who were all quite low and in danger of landing out.

But Gib managed to get back up in the stack and headed out after Tom to win his match, giving him a 4-1 record and second place in class 2.

Finally the light wind changed, and the gaggle began to get flushed out, so gliders were heading west for the landing area en masse.

After launching everyone, Bones and Jon had gone to the west point to watch, and I joined them there. Pat Denevan had just landed on the side of a ridge out there, and Bones was saying, "Why did he land there? He could have made it out."

Then we heard on the CB that there had been "a midair collision," and we guessed correctly that Pat had landed to help the downed pilots. It was a good thing that he had, as otherwise they probably wouldn't have found the victim, Craig Zurkey, who was dead soon after hitting the ground in a clump of trees.

He'd been above and behind Willy Dommen's Demon in his Comet, and had collided with him when Willy had turned in some lift. Willy had pulled his chute right away, and was saved, but Craig's Comet had broken a flying wire, folded up, and plummeted straight down, probably hitting at about 70 to 80 mph, and making a sickening crunch as it went through the trees.

Pat landed on some bushes on the side of the ridge, climbed a tree, located the crash location, and made his way to it through thick undergrowth. He gave Craig mouth-to-mouth, but could see that he had multiple broken bones and blood coming from his mouth and nose, and he was unable to revive him.

We had no flashlights so didn't head down, thinking it would be closer from the road at the bottom. But soon, a jeep with medical personnel came up and started down the marginal road down the west ridge, only to get stuck down there. Then they headed down further on foot.

Paul Whitehill's van came up also, with Jon Minnick, Gib, Walt Nielsen and others, who headed down the hill with a backboard, lights, and other equipment. Jon went with them.

I drove down the mountain soon with Tom Vayda's flight bag, and Bones stayed on top 'til later when he went down to help bring up the body.

I was in the landing area when we heard the radio transmissions that indicated that Craig was dead. Judi Nielsen and Sharol embraced each other in support. It was a very heavy scene for the rest of the evening, and it wasn't until 2 AM that they brought the body out, and Pat and Willy came down.

I said to Willy, "You must be in a state of shock."

He said, "Oh no, I'm fine," and I asked him what had happened.

He said he'd been turning left in lift when he felt an impact, pitched forward, grabbed his chute and deployed it, and landed safely. Craig Zurkey hadn't gotten his out in time.

The most tragic aspect of the situation may have been from the point of view of Fritz. He was 5-0 in the competition, yet lost his best friend in his moment of victory. He'd given Craig Zurkey his Hang-4 in 1978.

Zurkey's Comet was only a week old, and he'd only flown it a few times before the meet. And Willy had the "right of way" since he was the lower glider, even though he may have turned into Zurkey's path.

I finally went to bed at about 3:30 AM. Got up at seven. Then, after awhile, Jon, Bones, Hank and I drove up Elk to hike down to get the wrecked glider out.

At first we couldn't find it, ended up in some thick shrubs. I got stung by nettles, developed an allergic reaction, could hardly breathe for awhile. Bones climbed a tree, thought he saw the glider far down the hill. I didn't think it could be down there.

Then some Sheriff's Deputies joined us. They were looking for trampled grass to the right of the trail. We thought we must have missed it up higher. Bones still thought it was lower, would go down with the Deputies while we went back up. But we soon found the trail up higher and called down to them to come back up, which they did, exhausted.

Meanwhile, Jon found the wrecked glider only 200 feet or so off the trail into thick undergrowth. It was nose down between some trees, with all tubes bent or broken, and the sail torn. The right flying wire, from control bar to leading edge, was broken, which had caused it to fold up.

After the Deputies (Rhodes and Diamond) took photos of it, we examined it and took it apart (battens out) so we could roll it up in the sail and tie it. Then we carried it out. The Deputies went down, and we went back up the mountain, which was a long and tiring hike. Bones especially was pooped, almost passing out at times.

I went ahead, got to the top a few hundred yards ahead of them, called Sharol by CB, ate an apple, then carried three apples and a Pepsi back down to the others, who were all bushed. Then I helped carry the remaining gear back up.

We also picked up pylon 1, plus the awning, chairs, water jugs, etc. at launch, and headed down the mountain, getting there around 7 PM.

I immediately headed for the water hole, while the Deputies unloaded the wrecked glider and gear. Had a refreshing dip before the others were ready, then went with them to a better swimming hole up the creek, having a couple of beers on the way.

Sharol made us some sandwiches and we had a nice supper. Then Jon and I folded up our tents, preparing to drive home. We were finally packed up and left about 11:30 PM or so. Was very tired, but made it home okay.

Called Mary, who'd been very worried about me, then went to bed, exhausted.

Called in sick on Tuesday (mental and physical exhaustion) and slept most of the day, except for a visit from Mary around noon.

Was feeling better today. Went to work again. Did laundry tonight (it's now 8:40 PM). It's been very hot today.

Saturday, June 20, 1981 - 8:45 PM

Today, I worked on the Scout, fixing the seat again, then putting on some seatcovers from Grand Auto.

Later I went over to Bones and Sharol's. They hadn't found my film, so I guess they are lost, which saddens me. It's possible they'll still turn up, but I can't imagine where from. There were four big rolls of our club films of Hull, Elk, Usal, and of Elk this Spring. I took them to the Regionals, thought I'd stashed them in Bones and Sharol's VW Bus with my projector, but now there's no sign of them.

Came home this evening. Rotated the tires on the Scout. Then rested out back until 7:30. Went to the Brass Ass for pizza.

Monday, June 22, 1981 - 10:26 PM

I expressed hesitancy to take on any responsibility, as my time is already too much in demand, but I said I hoped to turn what business I could their direction, and might be willing to make a financial investment.

Anyway, we got to Hull Mountain around noon. It was hot and reasonably still. James, Stretch, Roy, and Mike were flying out, catching some light lift over the lakeside.

We watched them land, then gave a ride up to a guy named Ben from San Francisco with a double surface boom Status.

On top it was cycling up the ramp and the Rockpile, looking promising, so we set up our gliders, Jon and I at the Rockpile, and Bones and Ben at the ramp. While it was nice then, a NW wind gradually picked up during the afternoon, eventually precluding launching after we'd flown.

Jon took off first around 2:15, flew out to lower takeoff, and thermalled up to the level of the top, then flew towards the top while I took off into a pretty nice thermal, though not strong enough to get me up.

I noticed my vario wasn't working, though I'd set it and turned it on, so I had to go by feel. Got down around lower takeoff soon, even below it, before doing tight figure eights along its NW side to get above it, high enough to 360 back over it a few times.

Jon was also flying out front in the same air at around the same altitude now.

But I flew too far behind the lower takeoff area in one 360, and hit rotor sink, which brought me down almost on top of it. I pulled in hard to fly through it sinking fast, just clearing the edge, hitting the lift on the front side, popping up fast, pulling in hard, but stalling anyway, then diving out over the trees low again in front of that bluff.

Jon headed across the next ridge toward Red Spot, so I decided to head that way also rather than staying there and scratching up the front again, which might have been a better idea.

Crossed the ridge to Red Spot fairly low, didn't find lift but sink instead, and had to head out the ridge hoping to find some lower. But the sink was pervasive and I sped out over the first knoll then past the lower knoll, still not finding any lift, with 200 fpm sink feeling like lift (I'd gotten my vario working by pushing the battery in tighter).

Wondered if I'd make the creekbed if need be, but cut across the trees to the SE with the wind, but low, and on out the grassy strip to the road, then toward the lakeside, setting up my landing as I descended.

But I mistook the wind direction for SW when it was really NW, and I found myself skimming the ground fast in a semi-downwind landing, but I reached high on the downtubes to push out hard and brought it down without dropping the nose, luckily.

Jon and Bones weren't too far behind me, and I watched them land in the same area about five minutes later. For me, a disappointingly short seventeen minute flight. Oh well.

We had planned to go up again, until Sharol drove down and told us it had become unlaunchable, and that Stretch, James and Roy had been stuck on top unable to launch.

So we packed up, drank a few beers, and left. On the road out, I suggested that we stop by the creek and take a dip in the cool water. Everyone agreed, and Jon knew a good spot, so we drove down, took off our clothes, and swam awhile, except for Sharol, who was content to wade.

It was a very refreshing time, which we concluded by skipping flat stones across the creek.

Sharol drove for awhile as we headed to Burger King in Ukiah for dinner. Then we drove home to a hot Santa Rosa, though cool out at Bones and Sharol's house.

Monday, June 29, 1981 - 6 PM

By Saturday I was ready to head for Hull. We'd arranged that Kathy would meet me at my house at 9:30 Saturday morning. Also going up, were Bones with Jon.

Had a pleasant ride up, getting there around 12:30 or so. Eric met us at the campground, then Bones and Jon, as well as Dick and Susan.

But after Bones and Jon criticized Eric's equipment (they felt it was too old and worn), Eric evidently decided not to go up and fly. He was camped over at Sunset anyway.

Stretch, Roy, James, and Tom had flown earlier, and landed as we watched. So the rest of us (Jon, Bones, Dick, Susan, Kathy, and I) loaded our gear into and onto the Scout and headed up the mountain.

At the top, also, were Don and Marty, whom we greeted. Don's new glider, a Bowen Aero, had been stolen last Monday off his truck, so he'd borrowed another to fly.

We set up by the Rockpile, but then, after Don had launched, we were delayed by a fire near the airstrip, and the lady in the fire lookout requested that we not fly, as a helicopter would be coming through. But after a half-hour or so, the helicopter was cancelled and she said we could fly.

Jon took off, got up briefly in front of launch, but then headed down to lower takeoff and Red Spot. Bones took off and also drifted down to Red Spot.

I went next at 3:30, turned right after takeoff and was able with short soaring turns to get up over the top briefly, but then headed out to lower takeoff. The slightly NW prevailing wind was blowing the thermals that way.

I thermalled with Bones for awhile near Red Spot, maintaining but not getting up. Eventually I headed out the main ridge towards whom I thought was Jon, but turned out to be Dick.

Over the junction of the main ridge and the lower ridge, I found some lift at about 3400' agl, circled in it and got up to 6000' near Dick and Jon, who had moved out that way also.

Later I got more lift in the same area to get up to my maximum of 7200' agl, also with Dick and Jon. Looking down we saw Bones far below still scratching over the treetops at Red Spot. He hadn't seen where we'd gone. But eventually, he did come down the ridge, found the lift, and got up with us.

We stayed up there for an hour or so, drifting back over the ridge to the NE with thermals, and staying up pretty easily. The other three were going back further than I dared, and I watched as Dick got quite low back there further down the main ridge.

He had about a 20 to 1 glide to the lake landing area, and I didn't think he'd make it. And sure enough, as I watched, he made his way out to the Squaw Valley clearing and made a landing there.

I headed out then, while Bones and Jon were still circling further back. Came over the lake front with 2500', circled around awhile before setting up a landing. Told Susan by CB that Dick had landed out, and that I'd go with them to get him after I landed. Set up a good approach, and made a good landing, flaring hard and landing on my feet.

Folded up my glider quickly. Watched Jon and Bones land soon, then headed up to find Dick. We met him hiking up the road, and he led us back to Squaw Valley (Kilkenny Road) where he'd stashed his glider and gear in the bushes.

Back at the landing area, we decided to go swimming in the lake. It was refreshing, not too cold, a nice late afternoon treat. On the way back, we told Don and Marty we'd move over and join them at their site, as we'd unloaded our gear down at the Memorial Day site further down.

Jon had been going to head home, but changed his mind, as the flying promised to be good again on Sunday. So he and Bones brought their stuff over also, and we sat around rapping with Don and Marty.

Eventually we started a small fire (it was windy), and started to cook some hot dogs. And I set up my tent while it was still light.

We sat around talking until around 10:30, then decided to go to bed.

Got up at 7:30 on Sunday morning, to another warm and beautiful day. We had coffee and fruit for breakfast, took our time getting organized.

Soon we loaded our gliders on Roy's and Don's trucks and all headed for the top around eleven. It was nice on top again, with a light NW wind prevailing, except when the thermals came through.

Stretch, Roy, and Tom Barker launched soon from the ramp. We took our time at the Rockpile, especially after they headed out without getting up, until far down the ridge. Roy looked like he was about to land when he caught a thermal and got way up again with Stretch.

Jon took off first from the Rockpile, but didn't get very high out front, soon headed down to lower takeoff, then to Red Spot, but kept going out the main ridge without turning until he finally found something near the dogleg.

I got ready to launch next. It went dead for awhile, but finally a thermal started coming through. It was about 1:45 when I picked up and made my launch into a pretty nice thermal.

Turned quickly to the right again, then back to the left, making short soaring passes on the NW side of launch 'til I was soon over the Rockpile by about 200'. Then it got smooth and stronger and I 360'd on up to 6000' agl. Headed across Windy Gap to the NW looking for more lift, and found it coming up from the bowl on the north side, continued thermalling higher, to 7000' and eventually to over 8000'. My maximum awhile later was 8200' agl (10,000' msl), but I stayed between 6000' and 8000' for most of the time over the next hour, feeling great to be over the top of Hull Mountain again.

Bones launched next, but didn't get up, headed down the ridge, as did Don, and later, Ernie. So I was the only one to get over the top. Stayed there for a long time. Talked by CB to Jon, and Tom on the ground, and occasionally to Don and Bones in the air.

Once I was flushed, losing 2000' in less than two minutes, soon found myself below the top, ready to head out, but halfway to lower takeoff I hit another thermal, circled in it, turned back up the ridge, headed for the lookout tower, made a pass in front of it, then, watching the tassel on the flagpole, made passes on the windward side, got over it, then started circling right above the tower and climbed steadily back up to 8000' again, a very nice feeling.

Soon I left the top with 7500 feet, headed down the main ridge to where Don and Bones were still thermalling at around 6000'. Joined them there for awhile. Bones eventually headed out after passing through a turbulent shear layer, as did Don a little later.

So I followed Don on out, coming over the lake with 4000' or so. I gradually came on down, set up a landing into a fairly stiff SW wind, made a good landing with Jon filming, after a two hour and ten minute flight.

After folding up my Raven, I put on my cutoffs and went over to the lake to join Kathy for a dip. Marty was sailing her windsurfer, and letting others try it.

Finally we all went back to camp, got dressed, and prepared to head home, packing the vehicles.

Jon and Bones agreed to stop with us on the way out at the swimming hole where we'd gone last week, so we did and had another refreshing skinny dip in that cold water.

Then we headed on south, stopping again at Burger King. Finally on to Santa Rosa, arriving home around 9:30.

I overslept this morning, was a half-hour late for work. And I was pretty tired all day.

Monday, July 6, 1981 - 10:20 AM

On Wednesday, I relaxed, did some errands, worked on the Scout, and somehow got the capicitor discharge system working, though it didn't stay working on the trip. Must be a bad connection somewhere.

Went over to Bones and Sharol's on Wednesday evening, and gave them some ball compasses I'd gotten for flying at Thrifty Drug.

Went to Stretch and Anne's on the way to do my laundry, to drop off Anne's auto registration, which had gotten left in the Scout. They suggested I stay and use their washer and dryer, so I did. I also left them my SOAR t-shirt for them to put a Sonoma Wings design on the back. Had a nice visit with them.

Slept late on Thursday. Decided to head up to Hull on Thursday evening to secure a camping spot for the holiday weekend. There was a possibility that Stretch and Anne, or Bones and Sharol, might also do that, but they were both delayed.

Got packed up and left around 4:30 PM.

Found the campground quite uncrowded, so set up our space at our Memorial Day campsite. Then I relaxed, read the newspaper and a Time Magazine I'd brought, and enjoyed the solitude.

Later I walked down to the main camping area around 9:45. Only saw one hang glider, so stopped to say hi. It was Kathy from Mountain View, the girl with the Raven whom I'd met at Elk.

Anyway, she was hospitable to me, so I sat outside her tent and talked with her for an hour or so.

She told me of learning to fly at Crystal Air Sports while she lived in Florida. She was going to meet George Pierson and others from the South Bay area, but they hadn't arrived yet.

I invited her to come find our group if they hadn't arrived by Friday. Finally said goodnight and walked back to my campsite. I was surprised at how many empty campsites there were along the way.

In the morning I found Chuck, whom I hadn't seen in months. He's been in school, living in his camper. Now he's going to be heading to Nevada on a Geology job with a consulting company, testing some areas for gold. He came up to our site to stay.

Then Gib arrived with Woody and another Mike, and set up camp also. He told me of his recent flights at the Owens Valley, where he'd placed 13th in the X-C Open, averaged 60 miles per flying day, got charged from a nearby electrical storm, etc.

Eventually Stretch, Anne, and Roy arrived. Stretch said that Bones had indicated they might not arrive until later, so we decided to head up the mountain at 12:30, all of us loading onto Roy's truck.

It was nice on top. Stretch and Anne launched, thermalled awhile near lower takeoff, but headed out after awhile. Roy and Gib both got over the top.

I launched from the Rockpile at 2:22, using a slot slightly to the south (left) of usual, as it was a bit crossy. Others had been launching from the propane tank into the east bowl.

Anyway, I cut across to the main ridge, got some lift, and began circling in a thermal behind the big rock. It got me above the lookout in a few turns, and I kept on circling up to 7000' agl with Gib and Roy. It was just the three of us over the top for the next couple of hours.

They both had cameras, were snapping pictures of the others as we flew around together between 5800' or so and 7200' agl, our maximum altitude. It was nice relaxed flying.

I was in radio contact with the ground, Stretch, and others, and they told me that Jon had arrived, as had Bones and Sharol, and they'd be heading up. I told them they could use the Scout, and they did.

So I decided to hang out and wait for them if I could, even after Roy, then Gib, headed on out. By 5:30 or so, they reached the top, along with two other groups; George and Kathy, et al, and Steve and Hank with the Blue Fox truck.

I was still hanging out above as they set up, but the cycles were getting weaker. Got a strong one to 6900', but then began sinking closer and closer to the mountain top 'til just when Jon was in the slot to launch. I was just over the top making passes in front of the lookout and Rockpile for five minutes or so, as I gradually slipped lower and lower trying to stay up.

Soon I was below the top, still soaring the west bowl in close but dropping lower, maintaining a bit over the rock, then heading for lower takeoff.

Jon launched, was scratching with me for a few minutes, until we were both over lower takeoff, and I turned south to clear his path, and was unable to get up again.

I headed on to Red Spot, then on out the first ridge, not finding much. Came over the landing area with 1000' or so, made a good landing after four hours and seven minutes, at 6:29.

Jon, Bones, and Sharol headed out a little while later also, and landed. I felt good after the longest flight of any of us at Hull.

Tuesday, July 7, 1981 - 11 AM

On Saturday, we awoke to find a high layer of overcast and a muggy day. It was the result of a hurricane off the south coast of California sending lots of tropical clouds north.

We eventually loaded our gliders and prepared to head up the mountain. Woody agreed to drive the Scout down. As we were about to head up, James arrived to complete the group, and we loaded his glider on with the other four.

After a few people had launched, including Stretch, who managed to hang out in marginal lift, Jon noticed that there was a fire burning in the campground. It appeared to be about 50 yards upwind of our camping area, so I decided to fly down in case we had to evacuate our gear.

So I launched at 1:33, flew through some lift and headed straight out towards the landing area. Jon, Sharol, and Bones followed. As I got closer, they seemed to get the fire under control. And I saw a helicopter, which had landed at our lakeside landing area, and I hoped he wouldn't take off.

Anne and Roy had already landed, and they'd earlier made a spot for spot landings, so on seeing it, I set up on it and surprised myself by landing right on it, the only one to do so in two days. So that made my short flight a success. By this time the fire was almost out, so there was no need to rescue our gear.

But everyone except Bones and Sharol and I had already moved their stuff to another camp closer to the lake, which was a nice one, so I went and moved my tent also, transporting it all assembled on top of the Scout.

(ed. note: This was the camp we used from then on through 1998.)

Around 4 PM, we all decided to go up for another flight, and Dan arrived, with his cute kitten, just in time to load up and go up with us.

On top, it wasn't doing much, but we set up and got ready to fly. Also the thermals were dying out, and a NW wind was crossing the launch. Jon launched first from the Rockpile, followed by Dan.

Then it went dead as Bones waited to launch. From then on there were no more up cycles, only crossy down cycles, so Bones finally launched in a lull, a no-wind takeoff which he barely pulled off.

Then I waited while Sharol waited for a launchable cycle, but there were no more, so she and I eventually folded up and drove back down.

Dan's kitten was very cute around the camp that evening, not afraid of Tri or Spanky, playing and exploring continuously.

During the night, we were surprised around 1:30 AM to hear (and feel, for those sleeping out) raindrops. We thought it might soon pass, but it rained on and off throughout the rest of the night and morning, also from the hurricane.

People found shelter where they could. I eventually had laid the rainflap over my tent, as the rain was coming through the top. Stayed reasonably dry. In the morning there was a thick cloud layer as far as you could see.

I went swimming with Stretch and Anne in the lake, and with Tri, who came with us and loves to swim.

Wednesday, July 8, 1981 - 10:40 AM

Continuing with last weekend... On Sunday, we packed up our gear while waiting for the weather to clear, if it was going to. Eventually it looked reasonable enough so that we decided to go to the top, which we did.

Cloudbase was below the top for awhile, so we waited for it to clear as we set up our gliders. When it did, people began launching, including Jon, who maintained near lower takeoff for a little while. Others began launching from the ramp.

Bones was at launch through a few light cycles, and we finally had to urge him to launch, which he did, and I went behind him, followed by Dan. Sharol had already launched ahead of Bones.

I didn't find much lift on the way out, a couple of marginal passes over lower takeoff, at Red Spot, then across the bowl near the ridge. Stretch was low in the bowl, scratching, and Bones was circling above him. I came over at Bones' altitude, made a circle or two, then headed on for the second ridge, where I hoped there'd be a bit more lift. But there wasn't, so I headed on out with what altitude I had. Bones followed.

Set up a landing over the spot, but the wind was zero on the ground, and I came in too hot, too low, and overshot the spot, running it out, but an okay landing nevertheless. Another short 18 minute flight for me.

Bones followed, and eventually Stretch came out, having worked his way out.

Soon we got our gear packed up and headed home, with Stretch and Anne riding with me in the Scout. But on the way, we decided to stop at the swimming hole. Though our regular spot was occupied, we found a nearby space where we stripped and dove in the icy water. We were joined by Jon and Nancy, then Bones, Sharol and Tri, then Roy. It was freezing but refreshing.

Headed on home, arriving around nine.

12:45 PM

Last night we had our Sonoma Wings meeting at Dave Thor's house in Sebastopol, a barbecue out back, and it was a pretty nice time. Eventually, after much socializing, eating, and drinking, I called the meeting to order, as Ernie had wanted to cover an item of business regarding a potential flying site near Vacaville.

Also we talked about the Regionals, and Bones, in particular, had some good things to say.

Finally we all went inside and I showed the latest six films, covering Memorial Day, the Regionals, and the weekend at Hull two weeks ago. Everyone enjoyed the movies.

Stretch, Joe, Anne, and Roy invited me to go fly Calistoga Road with them today, but I called today to decline, as I wasn't feeling up to it, had reservations about it, and had things to do today. And I was feeling somewhat tired and low energy. Also I'd promised Mary we could go to Dillon Beach this evening.

Sharol just called, thinks we need a board of directors meeting soon, and I agreed, to pull some loose ends together.

Monday, July 13, 1981 - 9:50 AM

But after the flight (Anne had also flown), Spanky got hit by a car, had his pelvis broken, so he's been dragging himself around since, as the vet recommended letting it heal itself.

I took Mary to Dillon Beach on Wednesday evening, and she had three good flights, her first in a couple of months. Got home at ten.

We went again on Friday morning early, as Sharol and Valerie were also to be there. And after a flight from the top of the sand, Mary did her first flight off the very top, and had a good one. She did one more before the wind got too strong, then another from the top of the sand, a good day for her.

Valerie broke a leading edge on the Alpha, unfortunately, which cut her lesson short. But it was too windy by then anyway.

Got calls from Bones, Mike, and Dan about flying on the weekend, so made arrangements with them. Also called Ivan to tell him we were going to Hull Mountain, thinking he might be ready to give it a try. He said he might come up, and did, on Sunday morning.

So on Saturday morning, I met Mike and Dick at Bones' house, and Bones rode up with me, and the others in Mike's Saab. We cruised on up to Hull by noon, where we found Joe, Stretch, Anne, Roy, Chuck, and some Australians, Viv and Shelley, and Ian, an Englishman. They'd been flying in Mexico and the Owens Valley, and were pleasant companions.

The others had already had a morning flight, and were preparing to go up again. None of us had drivers, so we cruised through Sunset Campground and found a couple of guys who were willing to drive for us, Tony and Alex.

We got to the top, and we set up at the Rockpile, as the top road was full anyway. It was blowing a bit from the SW and the cycles were pretty strong. Tried to mount my camera, but the switch cable had some internal breaks which I repaired after the flight.

I launched after two guys in Seagulls flying seated, at 3:15 PM, ahead of Bones and Dick. Flew down the ridge and got some lift above lower takeoff. Circled back and eventually got over the top after twenty minutes or so, and spent an hour or so up there with Bones and Roy.

We'd get flushed by some wicked sink, have to go out looking for more thermals, eventually find some over the meadow behind lower takeoff, and work our way back up over the top. Stretch and Anne had been over the top briefly, but had headed out.

I worked my way back to the top five or six times, finally headed out with Bones, pretty high, but worried about penetrating against the strong SW wind. But we found ourselves sinking at only 100 to 200 fpm over much of the main bowl, and stayed pretty high all the way out.

I landed after Bones, and hit the spot again. I think I was the only one to do it. Most had fallen short, and Stretch warned me on the CB of a stiff ground wind, so I set up high and hit it just right. A nice flight of an hour and a half.

More later. I want to go drop off the film.

2:50 PM

But shortly after they'd left, Ivan arrived. Since it would be his first flight at Hull, we felt he should get a late morning flight also, so we loaded our gliders on his truck, would go up with him, launch him, and wait awhile for ourselves. That way, he could get a ride back up to get his truck.

So up we went. Ivan talked about his desire to fly, and about Patti, who was evidently giving up the idea.

At the top, the upper road was filled with gliders setting up, so we went to the Rockpile, and began setting up.

Awhile later, a van arrived at the top with some spectators. To my surprise, one was John Graham, who'd been a year ahead of me at Meadville Theological School in Chicago, then at HPP (Humanistic Psychology Program) at Sonoma State, and then in the Masters Program in psychology at Sonoma State. I called him and greeted him, and he was surprised to see me.

Two people in his party agreed to drive our vehicles down for us, one a lady named Sharon, who said she was interested in flying. John said he'd also been interested in hang gliding for years, but didn't think he could afford it now. He's living in Guerneville now, working on houses, I think he said.

Anyway, Ivan got set up, and we eventually got him launched from the Rockpile after everyone else had gone from the top. He had a good launch and a good flight, followed our advice, circled in some thermals halfway out, and made it to the landing area with no problem. We felt good introducing him to the site.

A little later, I was surprised again to see Dan Fish, who has a cabin on the lake up there. He'd been my boss at the County when I was first hired there in 1978, but had left shortly thereafter. Met Randa, his wife, and a lady named Shirley. They'd come up last Sunday too, but after we'd flown, and they were excited to be watching the launches.

I helped Eric launch, and Bones, then launched myself at 1:50 after a guy on a Seagull. Forgot to mention meeting a guy from Wyoming named Steve Kingsolver, who knows Charlie Stone. He was flying one of the Seagulls, flying seated.

Got a good launch. It had been turning NW at launch and I wanted to get off before it got too strong, so the other Seagull pilot let me through ahead of him.

I scratched around the front of the mountain, but perhaps should have turned right instead of left, as the thermals were blowing to the SE. Worked for about ten minutes between launch and lower takeoff, but couldn't get up, finally had to head for Red Spot, where there wasn't very much lift.

Continued on out the main ridge against a steady SW headwind at lower elevations, and began to worry about making it out. Was down to 3000' agl near the dogleg, getting quite worried, and assessing the Squaw Valley possibility, when I began to get some light lift over that bowl. Circled tentatively in it, though being blown back, but knew I needed to get some altitude there, so persevered, and sure enough, it got stronger as I got higher.

Worked my way up to 4000 feet, then 4500, gradually moving out the second ridge, then 5000 and into some steady lift directly over the lower knoll, not worried any longer. Continued up to 6000' agl in that same area, my maximum altitude for the flight. At that level the thermal drift was definitely from NW to SE, so I tried to head upwind over the valley, hit occasional lift, also heavy sink.

Bones was still thermalling back above the ridge, as I'd come under him on the way out, and Stretch soon passed over me and headed across the valley. Bones also went almost to Sanhedrin.

Eventually, down to 4000' or so, I headed out over the runway and camp area, looking for convergence, as the wind was coming SW off the lake. And I did find some lift over the road near the Resort, hung out there as I watched Stretch land (his second flight) and Dick, who came out low.

Finally I lost my altitude and prepared to land. The wind was changing directions, and my setup wasn't all that good. I made a low turn, overshot the spot, dodged a stump, and flared, landing softly on my belly, about 30 feet beyond the spot. But it was a satisfying flight, after having been worried about making it out, of an hour and 36 minutes.

After an hour or so of rapping, we got our gear packed up and prepared to head home. Ivan left a little ahead of us. Mike and Dick followed us to the swimming hole, where we stopped for a refreshing dive in. Then on to Burger King, then home to Bones', saying goodnight, and heading on home by ten.

End of Volume 26b

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