Parker (Chewelah WA) to Genesee ID : 141 XC miles

6-13-15
Had some big plans for the great forecast. Parker to Grangeville, about 180 miles open distance. There is the Spokane airspace one must divert around one side  or the other.
(You could chance going over the outer ring at 6400 msl, but if you got low.... not worth the risk)
My decision was to stay W and go by Reardan. I have flown through there before. I had some LZ ideas if needed.

Cues formed early. Arriving in the LZ there were some big cycles going through.... uggh I was late.

Got set up, and tried to launch.... many many times. (Burned more than a 1/2 hr trying to launch safely)
There was a good amount of right cross wind in it. This launch, due to the steep face gets rotary air easy when not coming straight in.
Time and time again I would move up to the edge but could not keep the glider level. Finally had to change tactics, wait for a lull, wait for when I thought a cycle "was coming" and runoff into just a trickle.
This worked, but no room for error at this site.
Off and running, 1:30 now, about an hr late it felt like. Big blue gap to cross. Halfway to Springdale, I was down to 5700' msl. Wasn't the start I was hoping for but I was going for it. 
                                                                                                                                       

After trudging through the area it picked up and got better. Strong climbs, good clouds.
Got down to 5600' again near Lamont, it was getting late, almost 5pm and the area is sooo green.
Clouds were drying up. Had to make sure I didn't try to rush things.
Near Pullman I knew that Grangeville wasn't going to happen (I knew a bit before than, I really only acknowledged  it to myself then)
Now what to do? Opt for landing close to town to hitch a ride? (I had no driver for this flight, but the forecast was to good not to go for it)
I opted to push on, out into the farm land with sporadic farms hoping for the best if landed out.
A smallish bump of a hill was before me, go for it or turn back to land near a road?
The other side was a lot of field......
On I went, catching a climb at the hill, it was slow, but it got me another 500'. Now I could make a good LZ
(I thought was good, it was a few weeks ago)
Get small and glide well, I told myself. The #'s were showing -100' to +100' arrival height. Caught a small climb near the end to guarantee my LZ.

Arriving there I didn't scout it out because I had landed there previously and it was short alfalfa. The wind had been switching near the end of the day and I was really trying to figure out what it was doing.
I paid no attention that it was wheat and tall. I dropped 2 wind streamers that both pilled. (I would find out due to the tall wheat) Set up to land the direction the wind had mainly been all day.
Ended up tailwind with a hard arrival ;-( Just a bent weak link.
Very lucky. The wheat cushioned the glider I think.
Almost 7pm and I make some calls. My very good friend offered his truck, my outstanding girlfriend just after getting off work, picks up the truck, goes to the store for food and beer and makes the 2 hr drive to retrieve me. Arriving almost at midnight. Getting home near 2 am. Great girlfriend!!
I cant say thank you enough!!!

Going the distance: 193 mile state distance and N America FAI triangle record (Who knew!)

My alarm goes off on this early Thursday am……… no, not for work, to get gear packed to return to the “Mansfield encampment”. 
(What is that?  Just ask Martin: “For the past 18+ years I have based my summer vacation of flying out Mansfield Washington (for many years, nick named the “Mansfield Encampment”). Flatland flying in what is commonly known as Washington State’s “Columbia basin” can be some of the finest cross country flying to be had anywhere in the world. Every year, while my primary goal is to fly safely and enjoy the spectacular air of this area, my secondary goal has always been to try and best my previous years personal best On Line Contest scores”) The previous day while I was at work, I followed Martin’s Spot track on his epic huge flight!
I was thinking for sure he  was going to get the “mythical” 300km FAI  triangle that I have heard stories and adventures of chasing after it in previous years. (Invaluable knowledge can be obtained from all these flights, attempts, out landings, and “there I was” stories)
The lay of the land ….. and do’s and don’ts are all there…. one just needs to listen)

Back to packing, the local store in Mansfield we drank out of (the previous week) our favorite “washing the dirt out of our mouth” beverage ….. “Becks”

So, I'm off to the local store to pick up some Becks to bring with me and low and behold…. none. “Are you F’ing kidding me?”
Off to store # 2…..“ we don’t carry that” …………. shit!!!!
OK “Google”…..
finally, 2 case of Becks (unbeknownst to me there were 3 N/A Becks in there……(jerks) thanks for that. We will find someone to give them to later

On the road and running behind, arriving at Mansfield to find it seems I'm ok on time.  A “hello, how do you do” ….load up the truck and off we went. Setting up, trying to plan “something- big-ish” I was thinking of a 275 km, Martin chimes in “looks similar to yesterday, have a go at the “300”    Yeah ok I thought to myself. (No way could I fly 8 hrs. I've seen Martin’s track logs before, and the time it takes to do it. I didn’t think I was up to the task)

Feeling it was late ….12:40 on tow with lots of smoke.  (should be able to get good and established though)  I had a long tow, about 5.5 miles.  (Half way around course it felt like
Towed through a section of 400 fpm down… on tow! Oh boy….. what will the day bring?
25 min later on glide over 12,000 asl  it was looking great. Strong climb, very smooth. Get going now, I kept telling myself, you are going to run out of day with the smoke.

After passing “Wilson creek” (really never gotten past it before) I was in new territory. What did Martin say all those times going this way…..?

A bit of a blue hole to get through to Lind, “this area can be hell” I remember hearing. The smoke had really taken the edge off the very strong climbs so far. This blue area though,…..didn’t have much smoke. It ended up being very rowdy and broken.
Once close to Lind and the edge of the cues it was a rodeo.  On the radio I asked Martin how I was on time. “By 3pm you need to be moving to your next TP”
Working this rowdy stuff till 3:15, time to go.
I was about 5 miles short of  Lind. My thinking was I could maybe extend it N past Davenport to compensate.

Pushing NE that way things settled down, more smoke and smoother climbs. Clouds were still looking good and gave me something to fly fast to.

A hole to jump to Davenport but it wasn’t too bad. I nice high climb allowed me to glide most of it.
How am I looking for time I asked Martin, “about 5 pm you need to be pushing towards home” he said.
I pushed about 4.5 mile N trying to make up for the Lind short turn point.  On towards home now at a little after 5

Now you need to change gears I told myself from lessons past. Don’t get in a huge hurry, but don’t dilly dally (landed on the E side of the lake a few times from this), there's work to do. Still about 64 miles back take off  to close.

Lots of smoke but some nice clouds helped me to pick some good lines.

The day was decaying, I had caught up with Mia shortly before the edge. I had had some good lines and clouds to help guide me. She was just enough behind that she didn't fare so well.
She has a huge struggle and work ahead…..

Looking back the clouds, they were receding 
(Come on Mia, you can make it!)

I was able to push an Extra 8.5 miles to the NW to help extend my distance

Final glide back to the take off area yielded a very nice sunset.

At this time, I really had no clue as to what my flight actually was. It wasn't until uploading it that made clear it was a 311 km (193 mile) FAI triangle!!!!!!!!  The largest distance flown in WA state, and what is believed to be the largest FAI triangle in N America. Martin, just the day before had this title!
Two back to back… huge, amazing flights. Both flown with a fair amount of smoke. This place is amazing.

Mia and I both rendezvoused with Martin in the LZ where he had Becks and ground conditions waiting for us.
Excellent nose up landings and a beautiful sunset to break down with.

Special thanks goes to Martin and Mia for the towing and all the local knowledge a person can take in. It was this that made it possible to attempt, let alone accomplish.
I had the perfect conditions, and the knowledge of where to go to make the best of that. Thank you!

This is my personal best for distance, duration and a few hundred feet short of my highest altitude.
Mia also had her personal best for distance and duration.
What a spectacular day!
My flight track log                                             Pictures from the flight

Mia’s flight track log

Martin’s blog on the days events here

Video of the flight played on google earth

Tokio WA to Near Pendleton OR - 117 xc miles - T2C -5-9 -15

Forecast looked great. I had an idea for a destination, LA Grande OR. It would have been about 140 miles. Loaded a few waypoints on the sd card and we loaded gear and were off to the tow rd.

As the area does some days out there, we chased the wind, trying to find a direction to tow. Each spot it was a different direction.  Finally settled  and committed to a spot, we set up. (about an hr we lost)

Dust devils were abundant. Jorge towed first, pinned off into a nice one and was off to a great start.
I had a good tow but nothing to release for, used most of the line and "had" to release. Back to the setup area and down to 900' agl I found something. A bit of a struggle as it organized yet eventually turned into a solid 900-1000 fpm.
Great dust devils till about Connell area. Caught up with Jorge there.

Now to go to the left or right of the Tri-Cities airspace? Lets stay left as it looked like a better line I thought.

Across the snake river, we groveled around finding some light elusive hard to follow lift.
We were down to around 5300' asl. Eventually we locked on it and got back up to 9400'

Near Touchet WA we separated, I had hung to a light drifting climb. Jorge would find another not to long after, but ended up going more to the E than I took.

Not much left in the day, hung on to what I could and scratched a few more miles out of it passing Helix OR. Basically a final glide after that, but a buoyant line it was.
More E in the wind direction than I thought when I landed, didn't think it was going to come out so good, but fortunately it did.

Michele (THANK YOU!) wasn't to far behind picking up Jorge then myself. 3.5 hrs later we were back home.
My track
Jorge's track

Tekoa to Bonners Ferry : 112 xc miles -4-30-15

Found more wind than forecast. Lift wasnt very high. Didnt think much of the day as producing a big flight. It was very rough. I wanted to land about 16 miles onto the flight and was told it was "very active" on the ground "(big dustys all over the place")…………… I guess I'll tough it out.
Glad I did.
Kept grinding away at it thinking "well I can try for Athol" and thought I was going to be landing there as I approached it.
Still  a bit of alt left I knew there was a nice field I've landed at before near Cocolalla lake.  Getting there, found a slow climb giving me enough to work towards Sagle ID.
Arriving at the edge of the lake I thought that was it for the flight. I was low, there was cloud cover, wind had picked up a bit more.
Had a nice LZ picked out, Theresa was there and confirmed it was good (thank you ;-) I wasn't giving up and some searching and a couple of bumps lead to a climb.
It was slow again with a lot of drift, as I got to the edge of the lake came the decision, push back into the wind or hang with it, hope I dont hit sink and drag my ass across low.....
Onward I went, looked like I could make the fields on the other side after topping out the climb (a whopping 4900', surface is about 2100')
On the other side, the LZ I picked looked good. I was still in search mode. Found another slow drifting climb. Looked like there were some potential Lz's ahead so I pushed on.
This would continue for the next 30 miles, never getting over 5000'  asl. Very stressful when flying unfamiliar areas with limited LZ's and a rigid.
Thank you Theresa, for being there!  

My Track log

Chasing wind…… to Inklers

Chasing wind. Drove 30 min the wrong direction trying to have a go at the day, turned around and headed to the place where its normally less. 18-24 on launch. Early in the flight winds aloft were 24-29, then down to 20-24. Got to fly with what looked like an immature eagle. Good day. Really nice 5:15pm thermal drifted a little over 5 miles with it taking my to 8500' (6200' alt gain).
Was going to go down wind but opted for the challenge of pushing back into the wind to get back to launch. Worked some good lines and made it :- )
The track log

 

Springtime weather..... you never know ....... Tekoa

Winds on top 18 gusting to 26. Set up, hooked into the glider noticed an ominous looking sky that had developed.
Watched it for a few, looked like it was getting worse and coming towards us. Decided against launching, (better to be on the ground wishing you were in the air) Major graupel event dumped.
After wiping ice and water off the gliders a hole opened up out front.
Took the chance for a quick flight. (Rick shortly after)
2.5 hrs later, climbs to 7400' landed back on top with winds in the 25-30 range. It was still flyable but nature called.
The track log

Into the wind

Windy! 25 on launch. 20-30 aloft. Fought the wind. Mike S blew a launch. He was ok, glider was very damaged. Managed to stay connected with the clouds and charge into the wind.
That allowed for a nice little triangle.

Playing hooky: gets you a nice out and return– Tekoa- Oaksdale (Atos vs wind)

NW winds on launch. Stronger than forecast as well. System was coming in a few days, so this might be the best chance we get.
Caught a nice climb and a 2 mile drift over the back. There was some wind aloft. Rather than drifting downwind (even a dead fish can float down stream& the VR can do so much more) I pointed her nose into it and started pushing.
Stayed connected with the clouds helped in the beginning. I was showing 18-25 mph wind.

After a climb, was on glide for few minutes when I fell from the sky, kicking the keel, then slamming back to the BT! Holy!! WTF where did that come from?  Haven't had anything like that around here before.

Started making my way to Oaskdale, then was going to try for Steptoe. Bit of a hole was in front of me and the clouds were getting a different look. Turned tail running back to the hill. Got lowish, and was finding some varying winds. S, W an N at times.
Got back to the hill but the air had become rowdy and unusable. Headed for the airport. A rowdy turbulent glide there to find the sock switching from SW  to N. New it was going to be a handful getting in there.

Wasn’t to bad and had a fine landing. (Glad to get that flight as the rest of the week did not allow any)

The track log.

Day 2: Tekoa to N CDA casino- the long way

High pressure. Some ok climbs at the start. Tough to stay with it between 6-7000 Then it changed and got rowdy. Hard to get past 4500'. Low save by the power lines. Punchy bullying air. 2 hrs later, cues started, a couple of decent climbs confirmed it was on and I was off. Couldn't get past Mica. Ran into nasty air approaching it. Went E to previous days LZ. Thanks Jorge for the retrieve!
http://www.paraglidingforum.com/leonardo/flight/887861

And the XC season begins. Tekoa to N of the CDA casino

Rick, Jorge, Karl, Jim. Did the toilet & wind sock work.  Karl had his best to date.

One good climb then try to outrun the high clouds and shade. We did a good job of it, and had a good time!

Thanks Michele for the retrieve!
My flight
Jorge's flight:

 

Tekoa 3-18-14

Finally a chance to get back on the local hill. Cold temps. 32° on launch. It was forecast 17° at 6000' and 5° at 9000' so with the wind chill at 8000 it was -20° give or take. Bloody cold!!! But such a great time! Frozen camel back tube again. Lots of sink if you weren't in lift.
Tough conditions. Top landed, made a retrieve then took another flight. http://www.paraglidingforum.com/leonardo/flight/885732

flight #2 http://www.paraglidingforum.com/leonardo/flight/885733

My flight

Drag chutes are very effective

My fly by with sound effects, thanks Rick!

Inklers 3-16-14

Strong S winds leaving town.  Arriving at the hill to find N.....WTF?
Killed some time ,check some other local sites, then our suffering was over. Had a near miss with a hawk. I think he was playing on his radio

Having a good time till the rain started. Through the drag chute. Managed 1200' without much effort. Very effective tool. http://www.paraglidingforum.com/leonardo/flight/884526
We had a great time.

My launch:  (Thanks Steve)

 

 

Eagle Butte

We usually get our first flights of the season here. Less precip & warmer temps always have our attention.Pretty good group made it down. 3 paras, 6 hangs (5 flew). Strong wind upon arrival. (This place can be unpredictable) 40 min of waiting and it started backing down. Set up and we were off.

First off the hill I found some very narrow lift. Really had to bank it up to stay in having it stop only 300’ above launch.
Shortly after Rick took off & about that time Jorge still on top said it quit. We got flushed  Managed 25 min before “arriving” at the bottom.  I had a less then perfect landing.
Jorge finally getting his maiden voyage on his new RX gave it a few and turned back on. Jim was shortly after.
We all ended up at the bottom eventually.


Back on top we find out (Doug para) had got a good climb and was off. (He ended up with a 25 miler! Nice!)

Jeff (hang) was working some very light stuff.
No one really had much motivation has the wind was light & he was only a hundred over.


I said to hell with it, 62° and sunshine I’ll have another go, I’m here why not.

Jorge wanted more time, at least another launch & landing on the new glider. He set up also. It was a great call.  40 mins in light stuff getting a couple hundred over. Buzzed launch a few times for good measure.
Another flush cycle got Jorge. I got low but milked it back up. Few more launch passes and to the bottom to break down. Really good day.