Inversion Soaring..

After numerous calls last night, and a few follow up contacts this morning, a loosely laid plan came together at the LZ at 11:30.. Blue skies and a few deteriorating moisture clouds in the mountains were an initial sign that the inversion layer was going to be thick and virtually impenetrable..

Immediately after a 1:30 launch it became obvious that it was not going to be an easy day..

Cloudless Sky..

I struggled to stay in the air off towards the east end of the mountain.. After loosing a few hundred feet, I moved back to the west in search of anything that would keep me in the game..

While circling back to launch level in light lift, a young bald eagle made an attention getting maneuver just a few feet in front of me.. He made a curious noise, looked at me like I was an idiot and then escorted me to a nice bit of scrap that took me up nicely..

Light Wind..

The wind was mostly out of the north.. But once we got over 3,000 feet, there was this odd easterly component.. I suppose that makes sense though.. The prediction for the passes was east.. I think that the east wind was moving over top of the inversion.. I'm sure that effect is often the case when the surface winds are west and the passes are east..

Who knows though..

Valley View..

After sinking below 1,500 feet on Stimpson Hill, I worked my way up enough to barely squeak back to Frailey; The day had solidified so circling up in 4-600 up was relaxing after struggling for more than an hour..

Good day to leave work early.. Thanks Brian and Mike for driving up and shuttling vehicles..

Spring is here..!

Like the pictures..?
Sign the Guest Book..!