University Peak 13,589' (4,142 m) north face class 2-3 with class 3 supposed to be only near the top. My companion this time was my friend Aleksey and it was his first high altitude hike, so chances to make it to the top was low from the beginning, but you never know how people tolerate altitude before you try. We camped at Onion Valley the night before and started hiking at 6:00 am.
University Peak trail
Matlock Lake
We made a good progress to 12,893' (3930 m) before Aleksey bailed around noon. We had enough time to complete hike, but I did not want to push him beyond his limits, so we made some pictures and turn around.
Trail head for Mt. Langley 14,026' (4,275 m) starts from Horseshoe Meadow one of my favorite place for acclimatization since its 10,000'. Igor agreed to join me, but have no idea what to expect at high elevation, it was his first 14'er. We camped at Horseshoe campground and start hiking at 6:30. First part of the trail is relatively flat and uneventful until New Army pass, where we encounter first snow and lost trail. Little bit of cross country straight up hill and we got back to trail. Last part was fully covered by snow, but easy passable.
New Army Pass
Plato was snow free and next snow was 0.5 km from the top where we have to climb small section of class 3, Igor was worry about going back, but luckily on the way back we found another way and totally avoided this steep section. We made it to the top around 1:30 pm. View from the top, especially to the north toward Mt. Whitney was magnificent.
Looking north from Mt. Langley
Lone Pine from Mt. Langley
Lakes from New Army Pass
We was hoping to cut some distance by descending via Old Army Pass, but it was still under snow and looked too scary to try it even with ice axe and crampons, which we did not have. So, climbed 100 m up to New Army Pass and came back the same way. Back at the car by 7:30 pm. Total distance 33 km, time 13 hours.
GPS track: GPS track in KMZ format
Thursday supposed to be switch day from Santa Ana. Original plan was to fly open distance from Marshall to Palmdale and beyond. It's all about timing. Start is determined when north wind switch to south at Marshall, you normally launch right into convergence. Finish is determined when east wind switch to south-west in the desert. 48h forecast looked great with 5 mph east at Palmdale at 5 pm. However, run after run it was getting worse and worse with morning forecast of 10 mph of SW at Palmdale at 5 pm. Not good at all. Another option was to fly OTB to Victorville and along I-15 toward Baker, but there was north east in the morning shifting to SW, and light north on top. Questionable as well. So, I decide to tag San Gorgonio and fly back. Meet at LZ with Rebar Dan, Russ and Ziggy. On launch at 11:30, but it was still NW, so we waited half an hour. I launched first at 12:12 and climbed to 6K drifting toward Arrowhead. Russ and Ziggy spend some time scratching, but then climbed all the way to 10K, wow! They catch up with me near McKinley, but were lower. I got to 10K at Harrison, which was very useful, a lot of sink up to -5 m/s and head wind all the way to past dam. I lost more than 3K of altitude. Russ and Ziggy did not tank up at Harrison leaving only with 6.7K, which cost them the day, they both landed short from the dam and hitchhiked back to LZ. Meanwhile I was struggling to get over Little San Gorgonio spine, air was nasty with forward speed dropping to 5 mph at times, I had a feeling that east wind from the pass was mixing with SW from the valley. Anyway I give up tagging a peak and flew back with a good tail wind. I was back at Marshall at 3:30, should probably try harder to tag San G. Went out to flats and then to Little Mountain.
Cajon Pass
Marshall
Marshall LZ
LZ
Rebar Dan completed 100 miles FAI triangle (Marshall to Elsinore to Soboba to Marshall LZ) on his Litespeed hang glider, very impressive. Congratulations!
I think all of the pilots familiar with XC flying when driving on highway 210 (or 10) along San Gabriel mountain range was at least thinking about Kagel to Marshall flight or vice versa. The best time for high altitude flights on the front range usually in the spring when Santa Ana (north) wind switch to south and there is no inversion around or later in the August or September after monsoonal moister and summer hit generates some thunderstorm activity.
Earlier this week there was very strong Santa Ana, wind was gusting up to 70 mph and Friday supposed to be a switch day. But gusty wind also resulted in the Etiwanda fire near Rancho Cucamonga and corresponding TFR (temporary flight restriction), which was exactly on the course line and put the end on Kagel to Marshall flight plan. Alternative option was to fly OTB (over the back) and follow highway 15 with SW wind. I did similar flight 2 years ago, but at that time I did not plan it, just follow HG's which means late start as well as not optimal route since I had no idea where I'm going. Now I have all time I need to prepare.
Aaron and Tavis agreed to join and Katie volunteer to drive. We meet at 9:45 at Kagel LZ and was on launch at 11:00. Good strong cycles, birds climbing easily all indicators pointed to the good day. I launched first at 11:27 and climbed right away to 6.5K, Aaron and Tavis launched shortly after and we all headed to BigT. I expected some SE wind, which means you arriving to lee at BigT, but it was not too bad. At BigT we spend some time making sure day is developed enough.
Climbing behind BigT. Mt. Lukens on the right
After few climbs we got to 8.5K (12:35 pm) and start our transition toward Mt. Gleason, but that altitude was not enough. We have to stop near Iron Mt. and search for one more climb, we spread around we found good enough thermal drifting in the right direction, eventually arriving to Gleason at 7.5K (1:10 pm). This is prominent peak and the best place to tank up. I was worry that we may encounter north wind here, but fortunately it was south already. We climbed to 11.5K and continue along the ridge. Aaron and Tavis stopped to check out some light staff, but I continue to nice looking SW facing mountain behind Angeles Forest Hwy and get right into +5 m/s climbing to 12.7K. Tavis was next and got into the same thermal, but Aaron missed that one and have to scratch low for awhile. Drift was from the NW, but not too strong. From that altitude we can easily cut across no mans land toward Juniper Hills.
Crossing San Gabriel Mountains
Tavis had slightly less altitude and decided to search on west side, while I pushed forward along ridge crest and finally found next good thermal, which took me to 14.4K with drift mostly from the west (good). Now I was all by myself. Just before Wrightwood I left mountains and went for the flats (3:00 pm).
Wrighwood ski resort and Mt. Baldy (with snow)
To my disappointment wind was from the NNW and my progress was very slow. Near Phelan I run into convergence and had my best thermal of the day to 15.1K. In the Victorville drift was from the west down low and from the north up high (4:30 pm), so I need to adjust my strategy. In the main time Aaron caught up with Tavis and they both decided to land near Spring Valley Lake in Victorville. I continue north along a dirt road (Stoddard Wells Rd.) periodically reporting my status to the crew. Thermals was getting lighter and wind was from west, while I need to fly north, altitude was dropping more and more. I was hopeless to make it to Barstow hopping from one hill to another, ready to land on dirt road at any time. Then I saw small village and paved road (Hwy 247) just to my right, which was down wind and at the same time found light thermal. Now I could cut the corner with my LZ on the nice green field few miles east of Daggett.
Daggett and Hwy 40
I landed at 6:47 pm. My friends was watching my progress on SPOT page and was there before I even unhook harness.
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:
After struggling with bus numbers, stops, transfers, schedules from my phone, I decided to make a map with all important information in one place. You can also download Waypoints and review them in Google if you're not familiar with them yet. Casitas Pass Overview was created by Tom Truax
Assuming you don't have a driver you still can fly XC and get back to your car using public transportation. Here is few options based on weather quality and other factors:
1. East beach is relatively easy destination I would not even consider it as XC flight, but view is breathtaking especially when you're over the ocean. You need to be P4/H4, stay below 1500 ft when crossing freeway 101, so you not violate Class C airspace and land on the sand, south from bicycle path. Its very likely that someone else will land there and give you a ride. If not go to Milpitas St, after you cross 101 take bus #2 toward Downtown SB, exit at Anapamu & Garden. Go one block north to Garden and E. Victoria St. take bus #22 to Old Mission. From there its 1.9 miles hike to Parma.
2. Padaro beach. If conditions better then sled ride, but not good enough for going through the pass you can fly to Pararo beach. It's also popular destination and you have good chances to get a ride from there with other pilots. If not from the LZ go north 0.3 miles, turn right to Padaro Lane and after you cross 101 you will see bus stop (Via Real & East Parado). Take bus 20 or 21 to Santa Barbara downtown. Exit at Anapamu & State. Take bus #22 toward Old Mission. From there it's 1.9 mile hike to Parma.
3. Ojai. After you cross power lines there are no landings for 7 miles or so. There're many articles about going through the pass, read them all, review as many GPS tracks as you can find. The only advise I would like to emphasis is don't hurry in this section or you end up landing in front of White ledge, which is not too bad if you make there, because you can hike 1-2 miles and re-launch. If you can make to Nordhoff LZ then you can take bus #16 to Ventura. If not then land as close to highway 150 as possible. There is a bus stop at 150 & 33 intersection, so you don't need to hike all the way to Nordhoff LZ. In Ventura you have 2 options. Exit at Pacific Mall if you have time or if its late and you can't catch last bus to SB at 5:31 pm, exit at Thompson & Oak and take Amtrak at 8:59 pm. If you use smartphone note that Google does not know about Vista Coastal Express that's the name of your bus to SB.
4. Fillmore (or Piru). Bus Vista Highway 126 is going from Piru to Ventura, there is also stop in Santa Paula if you bombed out there. Go to Pacific Mall and transfer to Coastal Express. If you're late take bus #16 to Thompson & Oak and take Amtrak.
Eagle was coaching big group of students from San Francisco. I watched few launches, but it took them forever, so I squeezed on the right side of launch and got off right away. Few turns over launch and follow Bob and white UP glider to R&R. We climbed there to 5500 and continue west.
Westbound leg
Easy going to VOR where I turn around and go east. Day seems to be ok for big flight. I saw a group of gliders just few peaks ahead of me and assumed they would go through the pass, but it turned out they went for Padaro beach.
Powerlines
Just before power lines meet with Marty who was flying from Nuthouse in opposite direction this day.
Marty flying west
I also have hang glider friend who was chasing me since Montecito peak.
HG friend
Going through the pass was tough, I was getting lower and lower finally landing on the fire road at 3 pm and then hiking about a mile to re-launch. Made few phone calls and realized I'm the only one going through the pass, so retrieve will be epic.
Hiking to re-launch
First knob (on photo) was not good because of long glide out and chance to end up in bushed closed canyon, but next one seemed ok.
Re-launch options
After first unsuccessful attempt I decide to clear enough space from bushes and debris, which helped. In the air at 4:25 pm. Unfortunately no thermal activity, 10 minutes extended sledder toward Ojai. Hiked 2.5 miles to intersection of highway 150 and 33 to get bus #16 to Ventura. Missed the last bus from Ventura to Santa Barbara and try to use Amtrak.
Waiting for the train
Train was scheduled to arrive at 8:59, but was 1 hour late, so I arrived to Santa Barbra at 11, taxi to Parma and home at 0:30 am. It was a long day.
