[Skyhighwoman]

New Years 2011 Big Sur Baby

With the weather looking freakn beautiful the flying was going to be iffy. At this point it is all in what you want. This is very much a social event. We left mid-day Wednesday thinking we would camp on the way. Always good to be flexible what I thought was a camp on the way was only day use area. We kept driving to Plaskett Creek camp to our surprise the camp was full.

This is going to be interesting. I made reservations for Friday and Saturday only. I was thinking we get there early will be able to get our site. OOPSIE! The campground host helped us out for the night and we found a campsite the next day as campers we’re leaving.

We met Shannon on the way and in the morning it was load and go. Almost. We had to wait a pilot. I missed the window to fly but I was not too worried about the sacrifice. I did not truly like what I saw so I broke down. The important part Bob (liftlover) got to fly and he was glowing after not flying due to his broken wrist needing to heal from his surgery.

That night I am trying to organize and be ready to go in the morning. Next day, we are up early, get coffee, eat and get ready to go. Times a wasting the plan was to try to get two in. The weather had other plans for us. We get there and its blowing up. We set up as fast as we can. I am first on launch. Now it’s crossing since were ready to go. I waited on launch about 30mins and then I climbed out of my harness. I turned off the go-pro. BS for a bit then I started seeing signs of it blowing up. Climb back in the harness without rushing too much. I kick some dirt and yell CLEAR! Half way down I am thinking WOW I am still running. A few more steps and am finally off. I was very happy with that launch.

I worked light lift and went to the right of the Harry’s hill. I usually go to the left. It seemed to have paid off but mostly its a sled run. My ‘old geezer’ sensors are telling me the LZ wind is south. I will have a bit of a head wind once I get below the inversion level. Right now I am feeling like I am flyin downwind. I kept on course to the LZ after a fly-by Harry’s Hill. I cross over the MANY streamers over the LZ to double check the wind direction. Dozens of flags are up a sign of lots of pilots are here. Sure enough it is out of the south. I fly over to the end of cliff where I want to hike. I was scoping the hiking trail plus the beautiful cliff edge. With one eye on landing approach I got greedy to go just a little further. Darn it I will be shorter than I hoped to be. Oh well time to pull in and go on final. I make one correction for a bush only to eye another one. I fly over it and flare. I just could not keep from going down to my knees. Not great not terrible.

5 pilots land on Harry's hill and got stuck for awhile but all finally did get launched.

Next day, we load up after switching a pilot but as we were driving up. My ‘old geezer’ sensor telling me that it would be a waste of time or the very least we need to take up some food up. I want to turn around. Others are saying to go but take our time. We drive a little further after pullin over a few times still seeing strong winds over the back. We finally turn around.

OH WOW!! There was a lot of blown over trees from the recent wind storm we had that probably blew +90mph.

We drive down and decide to go eat, clean up a bit and meet back up for whatever. We do just that plus a power nap since it is New Year’s Eve. We could hear on the radio it is still blowing down. We go for a nice hike the area where I flew over the day before.

New Years was not a disappointed other than not flying. We all had a good time. Good fun kinda crazy some stupidness going on but when you get a bunch of pilots together there’s always somebody. We all have our moments.

Next day, it looks like everybody got up. Some were going flying others were driving home. We had a drive home. Three flights between the two of us. I’ll take it. I am hearing pilots flew on New years day.

Fun time as usual more campers than I have ever seen before. More HG pilots I have ever seen at Big Sur. Lots of whales migrating too. We had a very nice show of spouts and you can see part of the whale. Beautiful sunset and hanging out on the cliff edge at midnight watching the moon go down. Does not get much better than that!!

Bring on the video!! I did not get much ground video just one in flight video.

I flew the falcon 195


HAPPY NEW YEARS!! HAPPY FLYING!!


Carm

ps Adam Lots of fun hanging with you!! Glad you made it. Stoubie you should had said who u were. I did not know you were a pilot. sorry!!

[CAL]

thanks for the write up, i am glad you got to fly, there is so much more to Big Sur then just the flying, coming down or up hwy 1 is incredible, the pilots are fun and entertaining, the animal life is fun, i remember we spotted a Bob Cat as well and the Steller Jays are out of this world,

though i was able to fly a lot here in Utah, i missed out on Big Sur

[Willmrx]

[day dreamer]

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[fakeDecoy]

Some of us camped on top. Some soared Sunday above WC for 4+ hours. Me, I prefer to fly a weird glider into lee side rotor and follow CRV straight to the bottom.

[DBrose]

the drunk dude talking about flying was spot on...i like that guy...

[Skyhighwoman]

Screen shot

[CAL]

awesome Pic Carm ! i don't think i have flown a prettier site then Big Sur Offers

[Phoenix]

[davidsahl]

I really was bummed that I missed this year. Oh well next year for sure