Sunday I set a personal best by thermaling to 17,144’ msl after launching from the 7,000’ msl launch at the top of Dry Canyon Road in Alamogordo, NM.
Robin Hastings was just short of a thousand feet below me when I bailed out due being too cold. I estimate cloud base to have been around 18,000’ msl.
We had to end up at George and Velma Woodcock’s house to drop off a glider and simulator for Earth Day week so we both flew the easy eight miles to the Big “G” LZ. Our driver Carolyn wired us both off the ramp at 3:15 (Me) and Robin around 3:30. She did her first chase and found her downed pilots. We took her to the restaurant then the long drive back to Las Cruces by 9:00pm.
At 63 years I’m not at the top of my flying game anymore but this flight just goes to show that you only have to be in the right place at the right time for a good flight. This time of year is getting to be the good time of year to find the right time and place.
