It was a pretty good day at Crestline today (and probably still is as I'm writing this).
Several hang gliders and a few paragliders went up on Joe's shuttle at noon. Some of the HG's sunk out, but some got up. The paragliders had similar results. The problem was that the overcast was too thick for strong thermal development. So I waited for the sun to break through a little more. But eventually, I decided to go anyway, and I should have waited just a little longer. I got a nice flight of about 20 minutes, but shortly after I landed the sky started showing a lot more blue and a good mix of small puffy cumulus clouds.
Anyway, here are some pictures taken from my video camera ...
Hooking into the glider ( I was launching alone as the last one on the hill ):
Walking down to launch in front of the parking lot barriers:
Hook-In Check just before launch:
Launch Run:
Flying:
Getting ready to land:
Looking at the LZ ahead:
Still working a little lift:
Looking at the LZ again:
University in the background:
Still working some light lift hoping to get back up:
Flying upright for the approach (I should mount my vario lower):
Looking at "The Ranch":
Short Final:
Mild Flare:
Unhooking (note the nice plush grass on the Andy Jackson LZ )