Crestline Soaring Society

The day started out with a thick layer of clouds way high overhead streaming out of the north, and wind trickling north at Crestline. At the LZ and at the 750 it was basically no wind all morning. The windsock at Marshall, viewed through field glasses, showed no sustained trend in any direction.

We did three rounds of Falcons off the 750, with only puffs of lift here and there on the way to the LZ.

About 1300 we arrived on top of Marshall and it was trying to flow in steadily. Clouds had reduced to a thin layer with holes. The lift was just turning on, and we all got above Marshall, at least a little. Fully scratchable down below. Still still in the LZ.

At 1500 the lift had turned on and some rec pilots were soaring. My first flight on the new T2C. Got some 600 FPM lift in front of the windsock and decent lift a Cloud Peak as well, climbing well above 4k MSL. LZ wind 0 gusting to 0.5 MPH.

At 1700 it was extended sledders depending on motivation, but nice glassy boating. All socks and streamers in the LZ were in serious need of Viagra.

While setting up for the 11 AM or so flight from the 750, we spotted a huge gaggle of migratory birds circling over Cloud Peak, barely climbing, with a steady stream of stragglers coming in lower from the east. I got a picture of them that's cool just for the sheer numbers. Didn't notice any other travelers until very late in the day.

Gaggle of Migratory Fowl over Cloud Peak, 12 March, 2008: Birds show up best in the full 1100 pixel wide view. Click as needed.

Flight gory details on my website.

Good Flying,
Ken Howells