Slide Mountain

After seeing the forecast for Slide this weekend Trey and I bolted up there for a quick two day trip. We left around 5:00am from Santa Cruz and got in two great days. The lift was punchy down low but the thermals were big and smooth and I topped out both days around 14,000'.
Above: Kings Beach from South of Slide.
Below: Looking SE from slide over Washoe Lake to McClellan.
Trey had a personal best getting up well over 13,000 and hit 100 hours of flight time looking out over Tahoe. Stephane put us up for the night in Kings Beach (always good to hook up with old friends) and we hit the hill again on Sunday morning. Conditions were a bit more challenging though and I spent a good half hour working rotor off the South spine just trying to stay up. A large flush sent a lot of pilots to the LZ and then some potent thermals started to break through.
Above: Looking West to Slide from over McClellan.
Just when I thought it was over I hooked a corker that took me over the top of Slide and I pulled on the VG and raced across the valley to McClellan where I quickly got back up to just under 14k'. The 360 view from there was incredible. The Sierras were laid out in front of me to the West with Tahoe peaking over. To the North and South the valley stretched out as far as I could see and the lift was glass off smooth at the top (but chilly!). In the East was an enticing XC Mecca.
Above: West to the Sierras from behind McClellanAbove: Grin of a glutton heading over Duck.
It was late Sunday and unfortunately we hadn't arranged for a driver because it was a perfect day to fly XC. This was my first loop around the Washoe Valley though so I was very content to work an out and return. I made it all the way around and came in just below launch at Slide before working light lift and heading to the LZ after 3 hours of airtime.

Above: Cross Country Paradise to the East.
Jimmie and David came up for their first taste of big mountain air and skyed out for personal bests. Both of them charged their launches, had great flights and flawless landings.Grins and coldies all around in the LZ. The locals showed us some great hospitality, and showed us how it's done. Steve flew home to Minden Sunday. It was good to fly with Jeff again and Nile is getting good fast. A big weekend full of epic stories for all of us. Good Times.