VDB09 Day 2

Lots of fun today. Faiz and Joel arrived late last night so we had a bigger group on launch today. Again we had two groups, but today Oleana flew tandem with Rob.

The first flight we got ourselves set up at launch and went ODB for the west side of Sacamacante. Brad and Faiz pushed on towards the lake, I saw someone else getting some lift so I hung out with then waiting for Brad to mark a thermal further on. Instead we all got up and Brad and Faiz came back to join us on the mesa. We then turned west and I immediatly went into the white room. As it started I checked towards El Pinion and saw the air was clear so set my heading that way and whited out. I pulled big ears and gave it full bar and went up to 12k feet before popping out the back. All clear, I surfed the cloud back west and we all grouped up at Cerro Gordo before crossing the lake from the west to land at the lake lz.

After lunch at Jovans we went back to launch as the overdevelopment filled the sky. People were specking out over launch, so it was rush, rush, to get launched and up there. Getting to 9.3k was easy, but while waiting for the rest we all lost altitude. Instead of the flight back to the house we had planned, we made a tour of the pinon, the wall, and the g-spot before heading back to launch and to the piano.

Everyone had nice flights and a great day. Pic is Brad surfing a cloud on the way to Cerro Gordo.

VDB 09 Day One

First flight and we got to the lake; nice way to start the week. We split into two teams, the group staying local, and the group going "ODB" Over Da Back. It took at least an hour to get everyone topped out at the same time so we could team fly. Oleg dirted just beyond the soccer field and Daddy D landed nearby also. Brad and I worked some light lift near the bottom of Cerro Gordo and took it up and over the ridge towards Jovons. Then near the airport we found something else and worked it and worked it to 10k. At that point we just pointed towards the lake and went for it.

Follow my flights

RaeLynn got me the "Spot" for Christmas, a personal messaging device that transmits my location and plots it on Google Maps. To see my flights, look here: http://share.findmespot.com/shared/faces/viewspots.jsp?glId=0LXjiGOnk5sDIaf0j9RrmEvXA2WR5MM2u

A Year Gone By

I've got my gear all over the living room, getting packed to go back to Valle De Bravo, Mexico, and I realized I havn't updated my travel blog since day 2 of last years trip. Time to catch up!

Since then I've shut down the plant where I worked in Camarillo, another in Asheville, NC; spent Memorial Day weekend in Tahoe with buddies from college, gone to the Rat Race in Oregon, bought a new wing, competed at the US Nationals in the Owens valley, and the SCXC in Marshal and Santa Barbra. I took severence from Technicolor, bought a new bike after 18 years with the steal Bianchi, rode a century, raced a time trial, and doubled my annual mileage record that stood 17 years.

One highlight was the Owens Valley. One flight gave me three personal bests: highest altitude (15.3k), longest distance (50 miles), and most states (California to Nevada). The picture above is where I landed in Nevada. Within two minutes of taking this picture, two women pulled up (at the same time) and offered rides. Having to choose, I picked the one who had cookies in the car!

Friday the adventure continues as I head to Valle for a week of flying.

Valle, Day 2

Today was much nicer flying than yesterday, and also much more dynamic. Lots of Kung Fu flying today. But that and patience paid off: I made it to the lake. I thought I was out of the game more than once, I was headed to the LZ at Jovans but got up, and I was looking at the field by the road, but got up again and made it to the lake. Flight time 1:57, max alt. 11,037.

This afternoon a front came in and it looked like rain, so we played Bocci instead.

Valle De Bravo

We made it! The trip was fine all the way to the airport in Mexico city, where we waited five hours for the last arrivals. We loaded up the van:

On the very interesting drive out of Mexico city, we got a chance to meet the local police. They were happy to talk to us for 6,000 pesos. 3,000 pesos. 4,000 pesos. Ok, 2,000 pesos. Fortunatly Chris and Ada were able to speak to these guys and get Kevins license back. The rest of the trip passed with out incedent.

Sunday we flew, about one hour in the morning and another in the even. Here I am at sunset in front of El Pinon.

Flying in Switzerland

It was planes, trains, and automobiles, but we finally made it to Verbier. Thanks to Bob and Marion, who waited over two hours for us to arrive in Geniva, we caught the train to Martigny where one of our guides drove us to the chalet. We arrived about 9pm to cold left over dinner (excellent) and a good nights sleep.

Sunday was early to launch where I got my first flight in the alps. The conditions were just starting to turn on, but with retrieve already in the LZ and three flights standard for the day, I took off on an extended sledder to get a look around. The views are wonderful, and the flight was great.


Later in the day a front came in shutting down the flying, and rain is the word of the day for Monday as well. We expect to see the sun on Tuesday and be back in the air.