We had a great flying day at Torrey on April 3rd. I flew for about 2 hours. Here are a few pictures:
This was taken just after launch (shows the "North Face")
Attachment:
pic1.jpeg [ 75.63 KiB | Viewed 3713 times ]
Heading South (near the Gliderport)
Attachment:
pic2.jpeg [ 88.82 KiB | Viewed 3713 times ]
The southern "Rhino Horn" (on the far right)
Attachment:
pic3.jpeg [ 105.05 KiB | Viewed 3713 times ]
Because the wind was slightly north, and because the paraglider traffic was pretty thick around the gliderport, I decided to spend most of my 2 hours down south at Horizons which faces slightly more north than the rest of the cliff (and wasn't too crowded).
Looking North from "Horizons"
Attachment:
pic4.jpeg [ 84.46 KiB | Viewed 3713 times ]
As time went on, the wind began to dwindle, and I hoped it would pick up again to get me back on top. When Butch (a legendary HG pilot) showed up, I began to worry about sinking out while sharing the ridge, so I headed north toward the Gliderport. Unfortunately, my Falcon wasn't the right glider for the job, and I ended up on the beach along with several other paragliders who had also "sunk out".
Attachment:
IMG_0406s.JPG [ 61.47 KiB | Viewed 3713 times ]
After folding up, I faced a long hike up the cliff:
Attachment:
IMG_0412s.JPG [ 136.36 KiB | Viewed 3713 times ]
That's when Butch headed north as well, and I got these shots of him on his way to a great top landing.
Attachment:
IMG_0408s.JPG [ 49.22 KiB | Viewed 3713 times ]
Attachment:
IMG_0413s.JPG [ 43.65 KiB | Viewed 3713 times ]
I could console myself that it was his sleek topless glider that made the difference, but the truth is that he's a much better pilot than me!!
Overall, it was a great day, and I got some exercise as well ... and my friend John hiked down to help me carry my glider back up. Thanks John!!
