You are here:   Pilot Blogs
  |  Login
 WW Team Blogs
Minimize
  
Minimize
  
Minimize
Apr 2

Written by: Zac 'Zippy' Majors
4/2/2010 12:39 AM 


This morning even the National Weather Service was in the spirit talking about the April Fool's storm (the forecast was way off). North winds still looked a bit questionable, but I figured if I dragged a bunch of people up to launch and I was wrong I could just say "April Fool's". Hammer and Pokey came along to fly and Jay was a saint for driving.

Conditions looked great the moment we got to the Eliminator launch and our excitement expedited our set-up. I wore winter clothes today as we were below normal January temperatures. Hammer launched moments after I did, but apparently I got the end of the cycle. I was quickly up and away headed east down the range, Hammer had to work for lift.

Below is White Ledge at the East side of Casitas Pass, a formidable jump over some tiger country to get into the Ojai Valley.
Looking ahead to the Santa Paula ridge. Tops for the day slowly increased from 4000' to 5600'. Greg had made a good decision to not run the range and eventually landed at his car at Parma Park. Hammer was on the back side of the wave I was riding and having a much tougher time, but plodding along none-the-less.
On my way to Santa Paula I got a fly-by from a Red-Tailed Hawk, a bird that I feel a special kindredness to. Around the corner I saw massive log float by... the large dark mass was actually a California Condor. I've seen Condors from launch before, but never actually flown with them.

We got to thermal somewhat close together, but always out of sync. I was surprised how early the bird would alter course if we were heading towards each other (maybe they're used to having their space). I missed my chance to read the tag on the wing (notice the white circle on the left front wing) because I was going for my camera. Our paths converged a few times as we were both flying easterly. It's one thing to say "yeah, Condors are really big birds", but to fly next to one and see both the wing span and shear girth of it's body- awesome.

The flight ended unceremoniously as I failed to slow down and climb in some weak lift. I landed at 60.8 miles after 2hr, 45min. After breaking down I started walking out only to be told I was behind locked gates (am I in Texas?). Ed the environmental restorationist gave me ride out to meet Jay (who did exceptionally well considering the radio frequency got bumped), and then escorted us back in (gotta appreciate the adventure!).
Hammer hit his glass wall and landed at a field he's been to many times near Magic Mountain (61.8mi). We picked him up and rallied back to SB for our local HG/PG club meeting.

Watch for another post soon about the presentation from the Ojai Raptor Center!

Tags:

17 comment(s) so far...

Re: Fun flying XC with a California Condor

Nice flight nice pics! Better than a TX triangle?

By socalseven on   4/5/2010 6:12 PM

Re: Fun flying XC with a California Condor

Thats so rad to fly with a condor and man nice flying in Florida. here's a link to a video from the day you and Kevin took me to the top of the north side thanks again.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZBoq5VZWgUU



By eric meibos on   4/23/2010 10:53 PM

Re: Fun flying XC with a California Condor

I meant this one

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qGC7o7kxwRY

By eric meibos on   4/23/2010 11:04 PM

Re: Fun flying XC with a California Condor



Thank you for the information

By ed hardy clothing on   6/6/2010 4:59 PM

Re: Fun flying XC with a California Condor

The sheep of a soft fur, due to its characteristics of cortical natural texture.They will let us become more sexy! Full of glamour!

By Abercrombie fitch london on   7/26/2010 8:13 AM

nice post

nice post!Awesome coverage! Thanks!Well, it should be...will be happy to be proved wrong with this one.... I have to admit to a raised eyebrow with this as well.

By Abercrombie and fitch outlet on   7/28/2010 3:19 AM

Re: Fun flying XC with a California Condor

It is hard to say such a thing is clear.

Significant change, it is.

I'm sorry that's j o c not LOC.

Well said, such a person should be a good sentence, or the future will be more rampant.

By abercrombie fitch on   8/1/2010 9:47 PM

Re: Fun flying XC with a California Condor

t had so marred her face. We chatted for a while that Sunday morning and agreed to meet for timberland womens premium boots lunch later that week. As it turned out we went to lunch several timberland boots women times, and she always wore a hat during the meal. I think that treatments of some timberland shoe company sort had caused a lot

By Abercrombie clothing on   8/3/2010 6:59 AM

Re: Fun flying XC with a California Condor

Ugg news ,uggs cardy do you know ? I think you may be more interested on the Uggs outlet, then I think you can buy your favorite web team Uggs sale and even favorite star’s uggs.

By uggs outlet on   8/6/2010 12:36 AM

Re: Vail to Monte Cucco...

Ugg news.uggs cardy do you know ? I think you may be more interested on the Uggs outlet and ugg boots outlet storet. then I think you can buy your favorite web team Uggs sale and even favorite stars uggs ugg boots sale.

You also are struggling to find a good UGG outlet? We provide high quality UGG Boots UK . Ugg news. we are doing UGGs sale and have Cheap UGG Boots? We provide high quality Ugg Boots, absolutely worth your choice, high cost performance, professional ugg boots supplier.Our products include:UGGs Shoes.

jordan news.Collectors classify the Retro Air Jordan line by release year and model: Originals (OG), Retros Air Jordan V,Retros Cheap Jordan shoes(shoes that have been recreated for sale to the general public), Retro-pluses (Retro +, Air Jordan that are similar to the Original product, with more up-to-date changes), Player Exclusive (PE, Air Jordan I that are exclusive to certain athletes in the realm of sports) and Samples. The Jordan X and Air Jordan X Brand also produces a line of Team shoes, separate from the signature line of Air.

Air max news . Originally released in 1989 as the New air max II, the Nike air max shoes and AirMax Light was intended as a successor to the Cheap Nike Shoes. It weighed less than the original, achieved by replacing the forefoot polyurethane midsole with one made from phylon. Nike USA Marketed as a performance running shoe, the Light would eventually be overshadowed by the nike air 95, now known as the nike air 360.Re-released in 2007, the Light continues to release in both retro and new colourways. JD Sports had an advertising campaign using the word Swoosh,Nike air max LTD presumably in keeping with the original print advertisements.


Known as the Nike air max 180 III until air max 2010, when it was reissued taking its name from the year of its launch year. The original colourway of white/black/cool grey with infrared was chosen to exaggerate the thickness of the sole air unit. The Nike air max 2003 is especially popular in Europe.the AirMax Light was intended as a successor .

buy office 2007 (officially called 2007 Microsoft Office System) is the most Office 2010 sale recent Windows version of the Microsoft Office System, Microsofts productivity suite. Formerly known as office 2007 Retail in the initial stages of its beta cycle, it was released to volume license customers on Office 2007 and made available to retail customers buy Windows 7 on January 30, 2007.

By uggs outelt on   8/13/2010 7:39 AM

Air jordan 11

Thanks for taking the time to discuss this Michael Jordan Shoes, I feel strongly about it and love learning more on this topic Cheap Jordan Shoes. If possible, as you gain expertise, would you mind updating your blog with more information? It is extremely helpful for me.

By Air jordan 11 on   8/16/2010 5:50 PM

ugg boots

i likeugg boots,uggs,ugg australia,ugg classic,ugg boots uk,especlially likeugg classic talltall ugg bootsshort ugg bootsuggs salebuy uggbuy ugg bootsdiscount uggbuy uggsugg boots onlinediscount uggsbuy cheap ugg bootsknitted ugg bootsugg boats australia cheapugg boatsbuy ugg sitebuy discount ugg bootsLadies UGG BootsUGG boots sale ugg boatsUGG Classic Tall 5815 Boots very much.there are several styles:ugg 5879ugg 5803ugg 5819ugg 5833ugg 5854ugg 5825ugg 5815ugg 5359ugg 5325ugg 5225 and they are the2010 Hot Selling Boots
vibramis the world leader in high performance rubber soles, targeted to the outdoor, work, recreation, fashion, repair and orthopedic markets.five fingers is the featured product of their. vibram five fingers are very famous all over of the worldfive fingers vibramvibram fivevibram five fingers sale,there are several kinds:vibram five fingers classicvibram five fingers flowvibram five fingers kso,if you want to buy cheap vibram five fingersvibram five fingers surgevibram five fingers kso blackbuy vibram five fingersvibram five fingers discountvibram five fingers sizevibram five fingers reviewsvibram five fingers shoesvibram five fingers shoethe vibram five fingersvibram five fingers ebayvibram five fingers womennew vibram five fingersvibram five finger runningvibram five fingers hikingvibram five fingers Bikilavibram five fingers Performavibram five fingers Performa JaneVibram Five Fingers Sprint you can go to vibram5fs.com
I want to buyboots shoes,my friends told me aboutugg boots,they saiduggs are very good,and the real brand isugg australia boots fromugg australia andugg uk.winter boots andfur boots are very popolar in winter,especiallyugg sale,ugg boots saleugg boots uk.and theclassic tall is the classic style.ugg boots cheapsheepskin shoesuggs saleuggs ukboots footwearceltic sheepskinlove from australiasheepskin bootslippers bootsclassic tall chestnutugg australia salesheep skin bootsugg boatsceltic sheepskin companysheepskin footwearugg australia onlineaustralia classic tallwomen's classic cardygenuine uggboots There are several stylesugg 5815ugg 5825ugg 5803ugg 5819ugg 5833ugg 5879ugg 5854ugg 5359ugg 5325ugg 5225
There are many brands ofboots shoes,likeugg bootsuggsugg australia boots,ugg australiaugg uk. They are all winter boots and fur boots.ugg saleugg boots saleugg boots ukclassic tallugg boots cheapsheepskin shoesuggs saleuggs ukboots footwearceltic sheepskinlove from australiasheepskin bootslippers bootsclassic tall chestnutugg discountugg australia saleugg boots discountsheep skin bootsugg boatsceltic sheepskin companysheepskin footwearugg australia onlineaustralia classic tallwomen's classic cardy and thegenuine uggboots have this styles:ugg 5815ugg 5825ugg 5803ugg 5819ugg 5833ugg 5879ugg 5854ugg 5359ugg 5325ugg 5225

By ugg on   8/24/2010 7:20 PM

Re: Fun flying XC with a California Condor

p90x

By http://www.theworkoutschedule.com/ on   8/29/2010 8:03 PM

Re: Fun flying XC with a California Condor

Wish there’s a way out for all of us, is there? I hope so.

By hollister clothing on   9/10/2010 6:53 PM

Re: Fun flying XC with a California Condor

Thanks for taking the time to discuss this Michael Jordan Shoes, I feel strongly about it and love learning more on this topic

By hollister clothing on   9/10/2010 6:53 PM

good job!

I think this is a great post. One thing that I find the most helpful is number five. Sometimes when I write, I just let the flow of the words and information come out so much that I loose the purpose. It’s only after editing when I realize what I’ve done.

By nike air max on   9/13/2010 6:04 PM

Re: Fun flying XC with a California Condor

They are all winter boots and fur boots.ugg saleugg boots saleugg boots ukclassic tallugg boots cheapsheepskin shoesuggs saleuggs ukboots footwearceltic sheepskinlove from Efox-shop.RC Hubschrauber
RC Autos
RC Cars
RC Motor
hochzeitskleid

By RC Motor on   10/10/2010 8:03 PM

Your name:
Your website:
Title:
Comment:
Add Comment   Cancel 
 Search Input
Minimize

  
Minimize