Mission

Mission is a great local ridge located in the hills above Milpitas. It offers both ridge and thermal soaring. I had my intro (thanks Ben) a few months back and managed to get out again last month for a flight in the afternoon. I showed up plenty late, but fortunately so did Brian Foster and he took me on up to the top where the cloud base had been hovering just over launch. Eventually it creeped up over the peak and I had a great long flight with unlimited lift to the clouds.
above: Chris V racing North along the ridge trying to get that old T2 to keep up with my tricked out and learned U2;)
below: Some random shots... too bad there's no sound in still shots, you'd hear me whoopin and hollerin'! What a great day.

Diablo

Mount Diablo, near Danville/Benicia, has been one of the Hang IV sites that I have most looked forward to, and been intimidated by. I had heard so little about it beyond the "really tight 1000' LZ and few pilots actually fly there with any regularity. Dave, John, Brian and I set out to hit this site on a sledder day a month ago to get a feel for the mountain and LZ's before the season really kicks in.

We put a call out to local pilot Robert Moore for a site intro and he obliged us with the full tour of the LZ's and pointed out some of the cross country routes they use. Matt (above on launch), took us up and showed us the two main launches and the 1,000' bailout LZ (it is pretty tight, and requires commitment). The light wind dictated the tower launch and we all had nice cruisers down to a large LZ. The photo below was taken in flight (not sure who that was in front of me). The LZ is down at the base of the quarry.I was busy trying to take in all the features and info that our guides were giving us, so few pictures this time out. I can't wait to fly here again when it is really on. Thanks Robert and Matt!
Dave making the proper approach at our LZ of the day on the North side. After being anxious about a tricky launch, flight, and landing (all of which were great) I sprained my ankle walking my glider past the water basin seen here in the parking lot (Doh!). Looking forward to flying the West side (Juniper launch) on our next trip out.

Point Reyes - Drakes Beach

Ben, Dave and I turned up at this site a couple months ago and missed the launch window (Ben's entry). The cliff launch can be pretty nasty and full of rotor as you approach the cliff's edge. Dave's glider is visible in the setup area above. This day was much better. Dave and I got off when conditions were just right and soared back and forth along the ridge (maybe a 2-3 mile section?). Scott and Kurt, skilled Sonoma area pilots, were out with their rigids as well. Wire crews are necessary on launch.
above: looking back toward launch from the West, Dave's Sport is visible above the ridge. (click on all photos to enlarge)
above: the view heading out toward the point, you can see that the cliffs begin to bend South. I wonder what a convergence would offer up here?
Nice beach LZ and well manicured breakdown area.. So nice to be in lift again, it's been a long winter.