Marshall to Lancaster flight, 67 miles

 Another high cloud base day with SE wind and typical course. I was flying with Gavin, Rush, Jai Pal and Jonathan. Days in October are short and we was late at least 30 minutes, I was able to climb to 6K just right after the launch and start the journey to NW. Flight was good until I get to Palmdale area and decided to experiment with the line, going to the east low ridge. Bad idea. I should stay with Russ on the left (west) side. Russ was able to fly all the way to Quail Lake.

First pilot

Silverwood Lake

Climbing with Jonathan, I-15 behind.

Lake Palmdale

LZ was not particularly friendly

Gavin, Russ & Jai Pal

My GPS track:

https://www.paraglidingforum.com/leonardo/flight/2930276

Russ's track:

https://www.paraglidingforum.com/leonardo/flight/2930791

Marshall to Little San G. and back flight, 53 miles

Spring is one of the best times for XC flights. We had a good crew for a day and was able to fly to Little San Gorgonio and back with Reavis.

Tom

Gavin

Reavis

San Gorgonio

On glide with Reavis

Andy Jackson LZ

My flight:

https://www.paraglidingforum.com/leonardo/flight/2747355

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.

Kagel to Marshall flight, 62 miles

Haytham ready to launch from Kagel

Post-frontal day with plenty of clouds, but a bit low cloud base round 6-7K most of the day. My wife offered to drop me off at beginning of unpaved road, so I can launch early and simplify retrieve. My PG friends from San Francisco Dmitry and Vladimir as well as Haytham joined me. We can't all fit into Prius, so Haytham have to hike from LZ, which he did even faster.

On glide from Kagel

Launched at 12:02 into light cycles and have to wait for 20 minutes for weather to develop. I jumped from cloud to cloud and even though base was ~5K no issues until Big T. Typically Big T works great, but today it didn't produce much and I have to stay and search for a lift. After Lukens got to 6.5K and even higher than nearby cloud.

Above the cloud near Lukens

Next section from Brown Mount to Monrovia Peak typically very fast and easy flight was super slow this time because of shade and enormous clouds with base lower than Mt. Wilson. After Monrovia it was all sunny again. Contrary with typical struggle in these low foothills after Azusa there was plenty of clouds mapping tops of the thermals.

Last challenge was crossing Cajon pass. Cucamonga peak was obscured by clouds and I only can get to 6.7K, which made crossing very interesting. There was also not much of a typical west tail wind. I get some bumps near 15 & 215 highways intersection down at 3000 ft (1000 ft AGL). Staying in bubbles I slowly drifted into the mountains working my way up. When low it's the best strategy to stay even in zero lift and wait for next pulse. 5.5K was more than enough for final glide into Andy Jackson LZ.

Marshall LZ

What's interesting about this flight is that I never get above 7K, so such flight is possible on a low base days, but speed would not be very fast. Thanks a lot to Frank for giving me a ride back to home!

http://www.paraglidingforum.com/leonardo/flight/1903673

SoCal XC League: Marshall to Soboba, 34 miles

After flying from Marshall to Soboba and back last year I want to confirm that route works even without clouds and with moderate SW wind. Crossing I-10 between Redlands and Calimesa is far enough from Banning pass (with strong Venturi effect). Even if wind does pick up there is a plenty of space to land before the pass. After Redlands terrain is raising and line along this little ridge provides buoyant air, which is pushed from valley below by west wind.

Aaron was kind enough and agreed with the task, cloud base was good, but not epic, the best altitude I get was only 7K. It was great to see Len Szafaryn old time comp pilot decided to join us. We need PWC level pilots to learn from and I'm certainly missing flying with Eric, Josh, Dean and other top pilots. Flying his M6 Len was leading with Aaron and Peter close behind, then Mark, Me and Russ in the second gaggle. Our gaggle stop by at McKinley while lead gaggle skip it going directly to Harrison. While we was climbing Dmitry and Ziggy joined us as well and then both gaggles merged at Harrison.

Aaron decided to leave first, but flying more toward the Dam, not the route I want. Everyone else went directly toward Redlands airport and Brewery, climbing here and there, Aaron turn around and flew back to re-join the gaggle, but arrived much lower then everyone else. Lesson: don't get too far from the gaggle, especially when flying flats and route is not obvious. Len also could leave Harrison just by himself, with probably 10 minutes lead, but he choose to wait for a gaggle.

Our new lead gaggle was Len, Dmitry, Peter, me, Russ and Ziggy, but we split just before crossing I-10. I took more south line pushing upwind and Russ joined me, while everyone else opted for more direct line going south-east. Len and Dmitry did not get anything and pushed all the way to the ground landing near last way point (Fisherman's Retreat). Ziggy and Peter took a climb with strong drift toward the pass and become new lead gaggle of 2. We got separated with Russ and I took another climb, while he missed my thermal, pushed forward and landed too. Jeff, Tom and Paul took completely different line flying over Yucaipa.

There was interesting battle happening in front. Ziggy was now leading with Peter not far behind him, however Peter's line was better and Ziggy eventually stuck in the ugly looking canyon with power lines he could not cross and have to land. Peter made it first to Soboba with 2:42 time.

Crossing bad lands. Soboba visible ahead.

I spend too much time tanking up with altitude before crossing bad lands, so Peter was unreachable for me, I only hear him on radio reporting been on final glide to Soboba. I successfully crossed lad lands, but should probably take more direct line (faster and more buoyant based on Peter's track).

Banning pass, San Gorgonio (left), San Jacinto (right)

I had low save right over Gilman Springs Rd, climbing from 2500 ft to 5800 ft and then finishing second with 2:57 time. And two more pilots made goal. Jeff 3:06 and Tom 3:12, Ziggy was only 5 miles short and could easily win the day with one more thermal.

Peter, me, Jeff and Tom

Soboba Fly-in was in full action when we arrived. Cold beer was well deserved refreshment (Thanks Steve).

Results and Tracks: http://socalxcleague.com/results

Marshall to Kagel flight, 63 miles

Finally I was able to link these 2 sites with a great flight. Usual 10:00 am meet up at LZ and we was ready to fly at 11:00, but conditions did not look optimal with some cycles coming from north and some from south. On the switch day I would like to have at least 20 min of consistent wind from south before launching, but this was not the case today. In fact poor HGs who choose to launch from Crestline that day was not able to launch because wind never switched. Despite north cycles I decided to launch at 12:22 (actually Tavis was 30 seconds ahead of me) with few other pilots including Russ, Eric and Paul. It was a good timing because north wind got stronger and other pilots including Ziggy stuck on launch for another 30 to 60 minutes. I climbed right to 8300 ft and start my journey westbound. Russ was first to cross, but stuck near Glen Helen and me, Eric and Tavis was able to catch up.

Eric crossing highway 15

Jonathan was rushing to Pine Mt., getting low there, flying all the way back to Cloud, recovering and making a second lap also catch up with us around that time. He choose deeper line toward Cucamonga peak and I joined him, while everyone else took more south line over the crest. Our line was better because wind was from the north and we stay on windward side, plus it was shorter. Then we all meet over Cucamonga except Jonathan who already crossed Mt. Baldy Rd. and had serious lead on us (does hang gliders fly faster or what?). We topped out around 11K and went over Ontario Peak. Beautiful scenery, especially snow on the peaks. I noticed blue Delta 2 flying deep line and was pretty sure that it's Ziggy flying with me. Only after we made it to Kagel I learned that it was Paul. Same glider, same color and the same flying style leaving thermals early and committing to deep lines without landable options.

Baldy Mt. (middle), Ontario (left)

There was north to north easy wind, so pushing upwind toward Baldy was out of the question. Next section was the most difficult part of the route, I know it very well from my previous Kagel to Marshall attempts. Surprisingly all of us made it though, but via different lines. Front points typically very windy and you can stuck there forever, so I and blue Delta 2 choose deep line, Eric and Tavis went to the front and Russ split the difference. We got a good climb with Paul after crossing highway 39, but still not enough altitude to glide directly to Monrovia on the back ridge and made slight detour toward Mt. Bliss.

Looking south toward Azusa

Monrovia Peak ahead

Now I was in the lead and pilots who took front line have to climb out from low altitudes and catch up. Time was 15:45 near Monrovia Peak and I start worrying about SW breeze. It could materialize any minute and that's pretty much end of the game. I pushed bar and stop taking thermals with few exceptions where they was absolutely necessary.

Mt. Wilson

As it turned out taking climb near Big T to 7.6K was important for making goal. It's near Big T where I first encounter SW breeze, strong and laminar air blocking thermal activity and slowing down my progress. I can't even clear Trash and have to go around and ridge soar to the top. But finally I flew by Kagel launch:

Kagel

Jonathan was first to complete the route landing at 16:30 after tagging West Towers as well, I was second at 17:30, then Tavis 5 minutes later and finally Paul. Russ was only 1 mile short from LZ, he landed in front of Trash and hiked to LZ. Eric landed in Big Tujunga Canyon. I also met Greg Kendall (HG) near Monrovia Peak who flew opposite direction from Kagel to Marshall.

Me, Jonathan and Tavis at Kagel LZ

Tracks: Alex, Tavis, Russ, Greg
Discussions: Kagel Forum, Crestline Forum

Elsinore to Marshall flight, 40 miles

Elsinore launch

Last time I flew Elsinore was 7 years ago in September 2007. Weekend forecast for Marshall was great and there was also supposed to be fly-in at Marshall, so my choice in the middle of the week was obvious. However, Jonathan suggested Elsinore. Advantages was that it will not OD and you can fly with any altitude even with 6K you may have a chance, where at Crestline you need at least 8K to make it OTB (over the back), plus there could be OD in the mountains and desert. I hesitate for a while, I don't like Elsinore because you can bomb out there very easy, just slightly wrong timing and you land, no matter what you try to do. And that's exactly what happened with Jonathan. Jeff, Kia, Ziggy, Russ, Mike Everyday and few HG was flying that day too, Ziggy's wife Linda volunteered to drive retrieve. Thank you Linda!

We agreed to meet at LZ at 10:15, but Ziggy was late by half an hour, so we got to launch around 11:00. Good cycles and few pilots was already in the air. I launched at 11:23. Only Jeff who launched early was able to climb high right away and flew north, but he decided to wait for us. Everyone else have to spend some time near launch with Kia and Jonathan landed on primary LZ. After we got to 4500 ft we start flying north and was getting better climbs, eventually topping out at 7600 ft. That was decision point. My plan was to fly straight line with 4 control points I put to my GPS to make sure I avoid all air spaces. Going further NW was off my route, so I stay in zero sink and start drifting north, took another small climb and cross highway 15.

Looking back at Elsinore Lake

All other pilots was keep flying NW toward Santiago Peak, excited by good climbs to 9K+. There are small hills on the other side of 15 and landable valley after, which I had on glide.

Crossing highway 15

My altitude dropped back to 4500 ft after crossing, but I found a good climb just before the valley, which took me all the way to 9600 ft and near the top nice looking clouds start forming. That altitude was enough to glide to Box Springs Mountain Park.

Lake Mathews

I did not encounter any lift of sink on glide, just stable, laminar air. Wind was south at altitude and SW down low. I pick my LZ near small hill and went for some ridge soaring session, which worked. I was able to drift north, but could not climb out. Eventually my altitude dropped to 300 ft AGL and I was on my landing approach when helper thermal knock on my wing's sail. Yahoo!!! Back in the game. The problem was that west wind pushed me 1.5 miles east from my control waypoint and now I had San Bernardino Class D ahead of me. Good news was that top of airspace was 3200 ft and I decided to adjust my plan and try to fly over it. After first climb I got only to 3500 ft, which was not enough. Second climb to 5000 ft gave me some time to find another thermal or push west to avoid airspace. Luckily I found another climb to 6200 ft drifting to the north.

Intersection of 215 and 10

San Bernardino airport

On glide to the mountains

At that point I need one more climb to make it to the mountains, which was easy to find. But task was not over yet, since I came to mountains SE from Arrowhead peak and need to fly 5 miles back to Marshall. Head wind was strong, climbs was rowdy, but it was my home area, I know it very well and it was just matter of time to push back. No PG over Marshall during fly-in with parking lot full of cars is not a good sign, and several, almost parked, Falcons (low pref. HG) did not add inspiration either. My ground speed dropped to 5 mph, but with speed bar I was able to fly out front and (guess it) can't land! because lift was everywhere. I try spirals, wing overs, try to search for sink. After half an hour struggle I was finally able to land. Jeff was able to complete the same flight also, but he took a serious detour flying around March AFB and San Bernardino Class D from the east. Thanks for the ride back to Elsinore Jeff.

Jeff landing at Andy Jackson

Bill Soderquist (HG) flew from Elsinore all the way to Cajon Mountain past Marshall via Yucaipa and all the way back to Elsinore.

Here is my track log: http://www.paraglidingforum.com/leonardo/flight/1028804
Discussion on Crestline forum: http://www.crestlinesoaring.org/node/913

SoCal XC League, Marshall, August 2014

Andy Jackson LZ

I think this year SoCal XC League made a big step forward with longer, more interesting tasks and as a result I see pilot's skills really grows fast with a lot of pilots not only try to make goal, but also try to fly fast. This weekend was not an exception with task to Yucaipa. Aaron want to push it even to Little San Gorgonio, but wind was strong, gusting to 25 mph at Crestline when we was leaving LZ around noon, so we keep San G. for another time.

Task: MARSH->BADGER->DEVORE->STATLZ

Another new element was 2 km start around BADGER and then 400 m radius around same point, which is considerably into the flats. Most of the pilots was so used to starts on the ridge that they did not pay attention and pay the price. Hurrying and tagging it without topping out before cost some 20-30 minutes low saves and one pilot even landed.

DEVORE waypoint had a 2.5 km radius, so you can tag it back in the mountains or out front. That's where Jeff lost his pursuers by flying in front. One of the factors was strong wind, so it was easy to fly back toward Pine and climb there, but getting back upwind was hard and slow with a lot of altitude wasted. On another hand front points had less wind, but lighter thermals as well.

I was in the second gaggle at this point, but at Marshall ridge was able to pass few gliders. Marshall to Dam was uneventful as usual. Drmitry and Aaron was behind me, but they was reducing gap after each climb, because I have to spend extra time to find thermals for them. Eventually we all meet together at Harrison and then split again. Dmitry took direct line to Dam, me and Aaron took line slightly toward the valley and also took a climb in the middle. That cost us few minutes, but also peace of mind that we will not bomb out hear the Dam.

Jeff was first in the goal 14 minutes ahead of Robb who was second. I was pretty sure that Dmitry would make it third, but he did not follow Robb low and decide to tank up at mountains, which did not work out and he landed short. I was third and Aaron got to goal 20 seconds later, however he got more leading points, so in the score he is third. Russ and Greg also made goal. Joe, Tavis, Mark and Ziggy was just 1-2 miles short. They all try to leave Dam without enough altitude (except Tavis, he had enough).

Overall great race! And here is few pictures including new LZ.

Yucaipa Regional Park

STATLZ in Yucaipa

Good place to pack your glider

Results: http://socalxcleague.com/results

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