McClure

At the time I knew this was going to be my last McClure for a while, a long while. I was a bit sad about the fact. JT, CRV, Brian and Wayne, I gonna miss those guys.

While the weather wasn't  spectacular it was good enough for some much needed air. The Coyote Howl had already been postponed from a week earlier.

I got to fly with Zac, which is always cool, he generously waited around for me, so we could fly together and took a couple of really awesome pictures !

I landed out the first day in Hornitos, Zac went on to almost complete a triangle via the same spot. He was only a mile short but it was on the other side of the lake, ironically a couple hours to retrieve from. Unless you had a boat!

The next day we flew to La Grange, not far but really challenging, the climbs were often less than the glide back into wind. We stopped in the historic La Grange Saloon for dinner. Terrys daughter owns and runs the place.

KMs Memorial howl.

Earlier this year a flying companion passed away, KM was a pilot many looked up to and not just literally. He was an unassuming considerate man of the wild, an inspiration and an admirable spirit. The Coyote Howl was dedicated to his memories this year.

The club has installed a nice plaque to the right of launch. Everyone going to launch and will see it and head cloud bound with a reticent smile. 

The day of the howl yielded interesting weather conditions, big sink and moderate lift. I ended up quickly on the ground and decided to give another go.

Glad I did as the day really turned on. Cloudbase was about 8k over Rancho Del Oro.

The plan was to head to Merced Falls and see what the sky looked like when I got there.

From Barrett Cove it looked great.

And even at Merced falls it looked decent, although there was a big cu-nimb lurking in the valley.

After the last climb the air went very quiet and I was quickly on the ground heading back to Merced falls area to get by a road. When I landed the wind had shifted north and the air was cold. The thunder head had flushed the heat away with some front from afar. A fun flight anyway and back to the LZ I went. (thanks Wayne)

Maddy couldn't be there but joined in spirit.

McClure Howl 2015

Had a pretty fun time at McClure, getting away is a challenge these days.

Both days were booming, Saturday I got away from the fishbowl to the southwest, mostly west to start with, then south, then south east, the long way round :) I've landed at Mariposa airport a couple times before so I know its friendly and easy to find. Now I know there also a bar just around the corner! Thanks Wayne for the pickup, my original retrieve plan was not well planned. 

Tall stories were told around the campfire :) Good times.

Coyote Howl 2014

The MotherLode Sky Riders always put on a fun time, for the Coyote Howl especially. Here is Eric getting ready to launch into consistently good conditions.

Good flying was had both days, great to see so many gliders all up in the air at once. The ceiling was typically bouncy but high enough to cool off. 

On Sunday I finally managed to fly passed the Mt Blanco fire tower, I had made that my mission on Saturday but couldn't make it happen.

"Lake" McClure. Pretty dry this year!

This is where much of south central california gets it water from, but other lakes seem to be in the same condition. Maybe it is time to stop watering the sidewalks while we might still have some drinking water for the rest of the dry season (which goes from now to November).

Good times in the LZ, BBQ someone was playing trumpet, tall stories were being told, cool prizes awarded to Speed gliding (john Taylor), pylon course (Jason French - I think), duration (also Jason French) and XC (Scott Huber), who flew from there to somewhere near Porterville on Tuesday. Good job :)