Over the Back :: I got cold feet

I got cold feet

Sun Feb 17, 2008 7:53 am

The past couple of weeks, Dave L. and I had been talking about going XC, conditions permitting. My flying skills had bumped up a notch recently from the frequent flying I have had. Practice, Practice, Practice. I was feeling ready. Our goal was the Golden Otter brewpub in New Paltz, NY. 16 miles as the crow flies.

Yesterday everything was lining up just right. A cold front had passed through the evening before, with a strong high pressure right behind it. Winds were 5-10 MPH from the WNW, and sunny. As I started my drive to Ellenville, fluffy cumulus clouds were already starting to line up. It was 20 degrees and heading up to 25. All in all, it was setting up to be a very good winter's day.

When I got there I met up with Chad and Dan, and joined them playing on the ice out in the fields by the LZ. Dave Hopkins called out to us from Tony's house, so we headed to the creek crossing. As I stepped on one of the boards...CRACK! I was standing in the creek up to my shins. I spent the next half hour, trying to dry everything out. As the rest of the gang showed up, my boots went from squishy to damp. I joined the migration up to launch with everyone else. Body heat, wool and the activity of setting up kept me warm.

Dave L. asked Dave Hopkins, if he would be willing to guide us over the back, conditions permitting, and he agreed. I would finally be living up to the title of this blog!

A couple of pilots launched, and scratched as best they could all the way to the LZ. Two of them were able to pull off low saves and get back up to just above launch, before they lost the thermal and returned to scratching back to the LZ. The clouds over the valley had dissipated leaving a bright blue sky. Things were not looking hopeful. Paul Voight waited on launch for his cycle. After about 10 minutes he launched with Dave Hopkins right on his tail. They wasted no time hooking one over the west launch, climbing out to 4600', drifting back over the top of the ridge.

Hope renewed!

Dave L and I helped a couple a new pilots launch and then launched very shortly after. I launched into a sink hole, and lost over a 100 feet in 30 seconds. I had been heading over to the pilots circling by the west launch. I was 200 below them with the treetops for neighbors, when I entered the lift. I knew that if I fell out, I was LZ bound, so I worked the lift with a vengeance. I had made it back to launch level when I hit a shot of strong lift. I popped my glider on it's tip, pushed out the bar, and felt the lateral G forces build as I started to whip around and climb out. As it snaked up the ridge, I coaxed and cursed my glider to stay with it. As I crested the top I could see Dave L. and Chad heading over to grab a piece of it. I rode that core up to Dave and Paul in a matter of minutes.

Over the top of the ridge it was just stupid lift, well above the sweat line. I felt like a bobbing cork in an ocean of air. I watched Dave and Chad work the lift a thousand feet below. The other side beckoned. On each lazy turn I searched out past the sea of trees for suitable LZs. Nervous excitement coursed through me. I was in position and ready to go. While I waited, I Dave and Chad were stuck. They did not have the altitude to go, and they were not finding the lift they needed.

After my rush of excitement had faded, Dave and Chad lost too much altitude and were flushed out front. Without the activity of XC tasks to keep my mind distracted, my damp cold feet were taking their toll on my focus. I radioed Dave that I was sorry, and that I was not going today.

I spent my altitude pushing the limits of the fishbowl I had been flying in the past two years. I went on to fly for well over an hour, dive, wang and generally whoop it up in the sky. I had a couple of hawks join me for a bit, went exploring parts of the neighborhood I had never been to before.

Once we all landed, Dave L said next time don't wait on him. While I am sure going XC with friends makes it all the more special, I will follow his advice. I felt bad that Dave Hopkins, gave up a great XC day. Dinner was on me, but it just doesn't make up for it.

If I had not been planning to go XC, this flight would have been just pure joy. It's now tinged with the coulda, shoulda, woulda. I know that I will be replaying it in my mind over and over the next week or two. We learn more from our failures than from our successes. Next time I'm staying out of the creek and not turning back.

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Windlord
3 thumbs up

Joined: 20 Nov 2007
Posts: 4707
Location: Montana

Posted: Sun Feb 17, 2008 8:34 am Post subject:

One helluva day Tom. thumbsup

At least you guys can get up there. We're pretty much grounded out here.
Thanks for the story.If we can't join you, hearing about it is good enough. drool

phantomflier
3 thumbs up

Joined: 15 Nov 2006
Posts: 845

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Posted: Sun Feb 17, 2008 9:42 am Post subject:

Great story, Tom!! Dayam, I just have to get back up there soon. I have been crazy busy traveling lately, but now it stops for a while. Hopefully the early spring will yield some great conditions. next time it's over the back for you.... Gary

Zig
3 thumbs up

Joined: 02 Aug 2007
Posts: 581

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Posted: Sun Feb 17, 2008 10:23 am Post subject:

Excellent recount, Tom. That picture is just beautiful. I always look forward to your posts, even though they always make me green with envy. And man, I am so making the four hour drive up to Ellenville when I gather my equipment up (not long now). Hope I get a chance to fly with you!

Zig

Lobido
3 thumbs up

Joined: 24 Jun 2007
Posts: 4099
Location: St. Croix, US Virgin Islands
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Posted: Sun Feb 17, 2008 11:58 am Post subject:

Now if your flying had been rum powered.. Twisted Evil

HangDiver
3 thumbs up

Joined: 06 Nov 2007
Posts: 2074
Location: Salida, Villa Grove, Colorado

Posted: Sun Feb 17, 2008 2:26 pm Post subject:

Hey - Congrats on getting a GREAT flight in the middle of winter.... so many of us are so snow bound, it'll be weeks before we're out. Also, it sounds like this one prepared you mentally for punching over the back side next time your up. thumbsup

Fly Safe,
Rich

TomGalvin
3 thumbs up

Joined: 07 Nov 2006
Posts: 3547
Location: ............... Pagosa Springs, Colorado
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Posted: Sun Feb 17, 2008 7:04 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the kind words. I am enjoying blogging about my flights. If others find value in it, that's icing on the cake.

Ellenville is open year round. For some weird reason, we tend to get more visitors in the warmer months Wink

Monkeys should be forewarned that Tequila, rather than rum, is found more often in the LZ.

Jimmy D
3 thumbs up

Joined: 19 Dec 2007
Posts: 202
Location: Ellenville

Posted: Sun Feb 17, 2008 8:02 pm Post subject:

great job on the story and flight - next time on the OTB thumbsup

jjcote
3 thumbs up

Joined: 01 Dec 2007
Posts: 3216
Location: Lunenburg, MA, USA
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Posted: Mon Feb 18, 2008 8:25 pm Post subject:

Heh. After I got cold hands last month, you got stopped by cold feet! Two words: neoprene socks. Looking forward to flying with you later in the season.

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