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Flight Articles from Wednesday, 3/15/06 (in order of posting time stamp)
[Andy Palmer] [Ron Meyer] [Dean Stratton]

Andy Palmer

Ojai is Found!

Wednesday, 3/15/06
Skyport to Matilija

Went to Skyport with the Wednesday gang in the Eaglemobile.  Launched 3rd and climbed up 300 and off to the TF kept bouncing against 36-38 in ratty SE blown strong lift.  Dean and Ron M. punched through and up to 47 and they were off.  I kept trying and couldn't get through so I left with 38 and came into Montecito over the tree on the west spine and got a little but headed over to the East spine and got up to 45 and maintained about 36 to 44 to the lines then up to 47 in easiest climb of the day. Made 5k at noon and 5.5 at divide W&E then up the back spine to Whiteledge and hooked it coming over the peak from the North and up to 6k.

Headed out the back spine which was not a good idea, about 1/3 of the way down in sinking air I found something to turn in and followed it up but was drifting back.  I fell out about 300 yards behind the ridge and 300 feet above and couldn't get back and was sinking like a stone.  I started to quarter the wind to the East to try and make the ridge down lower but couldn't, so I thought it would be best to try to find somewhere to land over by Matilija Reservoir.  On the bumpy ride over I hit something amazingly strong over a huge Granite bowl and held on for dear life as I twisted and turned up for what seem like an eternity.  I got high enough to get back to the ridge and from there I made my way down to the reservoir at the mouth of the canyon and had an easy landing.

What a day!  Dean was still on his way to his longest flight from Skyport which I'm sure he'll fill you in with the details.  I met up with Ron M and Tom P who were kind enough to retrieve and headed out to get Chunky Monkey.  Dean gave me a ride home because I "didn't land out", thanks Dean I know you are going to be one tired hombre when you get back in su casa.

I had my helmet cam on so there should be some footage to check out.

Can't wait to do it again, hopefully with the rest of the Topa gang.
Thanks for all your insight and inspiration!