Cumulus Maximus, the Night Ranger, and Some Familiar Faces

Here I am, safe and sound (or as safe and sound as one could expect) in Lakeview. It's still quite warm, even at this altitude (4800'). I've always had trouble sleeping when it's hot outside, so getting enough sleep before the first day's task may present a challenge.

The drive over was uneventful, although I was treated to some spectacular cumulus displays. Cumulus clouds are those big puffy white clouds that, as children, we all saw as whimsical animals or people with pronounced features. To this day, I sill see folks or critters in them, but having delved into the 3D world of soaring, I have made a profound discovery about those airborne blobs of mashed potatoes, Disney characters, and Jimmy Durante's - THERE'S LIFT IN THEM THAR CLOUDS!

Cumulus clouds are created when the upward-soaring elevators we call thermals, which usually carry moisture from the ground, rise to the elevation where they condense into visible form. An astute soaring pilot will pursue these gigantic bits of fluff, hopping on board the upward-soaring elevators beneath and climbing to a magical place we call cloudbase. One must be careful, however, as sometimes these blossoming blobs of water vapor can be strong enough to continue to draw the unwary pilot into their gullets and take one to heights which are not only dangerous, but also illegal according to the FAA. We call this 'a visit to the white room'. Paying such a visit often results in disorientation, since there is no longer a visual frame-of-reference, and hand-held GPS units often crap out within a sufficiently dense cloud. A condition loosly termed 'cloud-suck' can also draw one ever higher, despite their best efforts to descend.

If the clouds should line up, as they often do, they form a phenomenon known as a 'cloud street'. Such formations are ideal for travelling many miles cross country, provided they form in the desired direction. Still, one must be careful to observe the proportions of the formation. As a general rule, if the cloud is taller than it is wide, prepare for a wild ride.

Enough about clouds. The new-old truck (I traded off my Green Guzzler for something more economical) did well pulling my little camp trailer down the highway. Sure, I can't scream up the hills like the big Dodge could do, but it sure hurt less at the pump in Klamath Falls where I topped off. I do miss being 'King of the Road', but all-in-all I think the Night Ranger will be a fine hang gliding truck.

After arriving at the campgrounds, I set up the trailer and headed over to the first pilot's meeting at Meet Headquarters. HQ is at the Hunter's Hot Spring Resort, which boasts Oregon's only guyser and some nice hot mineral baths. Admittance is on-the-house, thanks to the efforts of Mike & Gail Haley, the meet coordinators. In this hot weather, a hot soak didn't sound like such a great idea, but it just might after the first task. The Haley's have also arranged substantial discounts to anyone wanting to camp at the resort, although I opted to set up camp at the adjacent campground due to the availability of full hookups.

I must admit, I felt a bit overwhelmed being surrounded by all those world-class comp pilots at the meeting, but after chatting with a few of them (and downing a couple of Gail's KILLER margueritas), I came to realize that we're all in this together. Even though we're competing against each other, I really began to feel like I belong with this group. It's amazing what a brotherhood forms when such circumstances align. I've always felt that way about the Rogue Valley group as well, but since the vast majority of RV pilots fly paragliders, with different parameters in which to fly, I've always felt a bit of 'ugly duckling' syndrome. Here, we fly the same craft in the same conditions and, although the dynamics are essentially the same, somehow it just seems different. I can't really explain. All I can really say is this is a GOOD thing for me...

Well, I suppose I'd better get some rest. Big day tomorrow. Forecast looks even better than before, although it looks like we'll have some STINKIN' strong winds on Monday. Given that forecast, I'm predicting we'll launch Sugar Hill for a long task tomorrow and maybe Sweet-n-Low (lower launch from Sugar - cute, huh?) or Black Cap on Monday. We'll see...