Not such a nice flight today as yesterday for me. The task was another long one heading north toward Lakeview and then out to the town of Plush. Given the thunder and lightning show we were treated to the night before and the rain showers the following morning, no one really knew if the day would be called. However, when we got to launch, there were some nice clouds in all directions, although it was about as windy as was forecast.
I launched around 2:30 and worked my way up to just short of 10,000 ft with a small gaggle of other pilots. We all drifted downwind and out over the valley behind launch. Foolishly I followed the gaggle out toward the foothills across the valley instead of staying in the lift and working it to cloudbase. Had I done the latter, I could have worked farther back into the hills and stayed with the stronger lift. As it was, I had to scratch the light stuff kicking up from the valley floor.
I worked what I could find, which eventually ended up being little more than ridge lift. That would have been fine and would have sustained me until I found a workable thermal, but all ridges eventually come to an end. I found that end and landed at New Pine Creek, which is right on the California-Oregon border 13 miles north of launch. I was pretty disappointed with my performance.
As of this morning, my standing was 4th in Sport Class and 24th overall. Today's performance will no doubt hurt my standing, but it's only day 2 and I have up to 5 more days to turn things around. That is, of course, if I don't burn myself out first.
I launched around 2:30 and worked my way up to just short of 10,000 ft with a small gaggle of other pilots. We all drifted downwind and out over the valley behind launch. Foolishly I followed the gaggle out toward the foothills across the valley instead of staying in the lift and working it to cloudbase. Had I done the latter, I could have worked farther back into the hills and stayed with the stronger lift. As it was, I had to scratch the light stuff kicking up from the valley floor.
I worked what I could find, which eventually ended up being little more than ridge lift. That would have been fine and would have sustained me until I found a workable thermal, but all ridges eventually come to an end. I found that end and landed at New Pine Creek, which is right on the California-Oregon border 13 miles north of launch. I was pretty disappointed with my performance.
As of this morning, my standing was 4th in Sport Class and 24th overall. Today's performance will no doubt hurt my standing, but it's only day 2 and I have up to 5 more days to turn things around. That is, of course, if I don't burn myself out first.
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