Marshall to Keller to San B. and back flight, 57 miles

CSS-750 Launch

Forecast was for 7-8K day with fast north to SW switch, not epic, plus I had a time constraints and have to be home by 6ish, so was not even sure I was going to fly until last minute. Aaron was running XC League with task Marshall->Cajon->Barstow and open distance along I-15 after. I was not very inspired to join because:

1. North wind in afternoon could put you on the ground early. West supposed to kick-in much later in the day.
2. 9K cloud base was way too low for desert, I prefer to have at least 12K+.
3. Blue day (no clouds), harder to find thermals and as result slower speed.
4. Potentially long retrieve.

Have to drop my son to school in AM and only made it to LZ by 11:00. XC League already left and next shuttle was scheduled at 12:30, so I just hiked to 750 launch. Task start was at 12:10 and I wanted to join them at least for the first leg to Cajon. Almost made it in time, launched at 12:16 and found a climb right away, was maybe 10 min behind main gaggle. Climbed to 8K behind Pine Mt and flew to next peak after Sugar Pine. Watched pilots leaving OTB with OK altitude, but decided not to go myself (as planned), turned around and was hoping to fly at least to Keller and back.

Lake Arrowhead

I was at Keller by 2:35, so enough time to cross toward San Gorgonio. It's very spectacular and intimidating line, which I flew before. There are landings in the canyon, but hike out is at least 2-3 hours, not an option considering my time constrains, so I was a bit nervous even though start crossing from 10.7K.

Keller Peak (left) San Gorgonio (right)

Got a broken thermal at Constance Peak, but did not spend long time there and pushed to main ridge, worked my way up and eventually topped out at 10.9K at 3:25 and turned around. Since forecast was calling for relatively strong west later in the day, I did not have much expectations about return flight, but still want to push at least to Harrison to minimize Uber time and cost. Climbed back to 7K at Harrison and keep pushing back, mostly on 2/3 of speed bar. There was only 1 or 2 HG over Marshall, typically sign of strong wind, which in fact was quite strong. Took me awhile to land, could not find any sink near LZ. Finally landed at Andy Jackson at 4:58.

Andy Jackson LZ

My track: http://www.paraglidingforum.com/leonardo/flight/1928952

Russ landed in Hesperia, most of the other pilots in Victorville, Aaron managed to fly 100 km past Barstow.

Marshall to Harrison and back flight, 26 miles

Aaron was expressing some interest to explore back ridge, and I also did not been there for awhile, so with relatively light wind we decided to give it a try. Tavis joined us as well. Mitch also was there from Arrowhead to Strawberry, but then turn around and flew back toward Crestline. Initial plan was to tag Keller, but wind was stronger then expected, so after Smiley Park we head out to Harrison. From there we can glide to Dam LZ or Hangar 24 brewery or try to fly back. After quick vote everyone was up for a challenge to fly back. Here is a video about our adventure:

My GPS track:
http://www.paraglidingforum.com/leonardo/flight/903862

Marshall flight, 8 miles FAI triangle

Base was too low for long flights, so I just flew small triangle from Marshall to Crestline ridge then Pine Mt. and back to Marshall. Here is a video from my GoPro

Marshall, Crestline, Pine Mt. from Alex Gagarin on Vimeo.

Camera angle was too low, but I'm still learning this thing. Its already adjusted for next flight.

GPS track:
http://www.paraglidingforum.com/leonardo/flight/317293