Posted by Terry Fifiel (super grip) Seasons Greetings Phil;
on 12/21/2002, 8:58 pm
216.119.3.127
Terry G. Fifield
flyingter@earthink.net
2351 Victor Rd.
Redding Ca.
(530) 224-1211
I thought that you might be interested in hearing a great Hat Creek flying story. Ive found that there is nothing like a hot summer flying adventure to warm up your cockles over a wet miserable winter. Afterwards, Id like to share a couple of thoughts Ive had along the lines of what Mr. Collins wrote to you earlier this year.
It was during the smoky hot days of late September when I had decided to get an early afternoon flight on a busy flying weekend. The wind was blowing slightly from the north. I launched off of Hat Creek rim around 5 pm with Page Perin and Jim Kennedy. The lift was heavy, but I found the rim topped off at about 1000 feet over launch. After milling around the rim for a while I caught a well-defined thermal right over launch and stayed with it, climbing all the time over the rim, to the back ridge.
Id flown the back rim several times but never very daringly. I would always get spooked and make my way for the front ridge not wanting to get stuck low on the back ridge and have to land in the stump LZ. Anyway, back to my story.
I flew up and down the back ridge and found the ridge lift excellent with strong smooth thermals I caught a giant of a thermal and drifted with it well behind the look out. It was there that I found myself at the highest altitude Ive ever attained at Hat Creek. I was soaring well over 11.000 feet ASL. The urge to go cross-country was strong and I felt like I could cruse in lift all the way to Susanville. I realized though that I had two good reasons not too. First off my footing was tenuous. I had mistakenly packed my wifes size 8 sneakers and in my eagerness to fly I had cut out the tops to allow my stocking clad toes to flop out over the front of her shoes. Not a real smart decision but I have found that at times great flights take great sacrifices. Second, I had no driver.
The Sky was hazy and I could barely make out the regular gaggle of gliders miles away and below me coursing their way up and down the rim. From my vantage point it was clear to see that I was higher than Mount Lassen. I could barely see the ground through the haze. I was on top of the world!! It was at this point that from out of the blue a brilliantly white sail plan came out of nowhere. We chased each other in and out of the lift for what seemed like hours. I felt as though he was there to bear witness to my great achievement and seemed to applaud my prowess of the air.
As the thermals toped out he gave me dip with his wing and headed off towards Susanville. It was hard not to follow but the lift had turned to a slow even sink. I turned my nose Northwest slowly penetrating the wind as I descended toward the front ridge. I soared over the launch still several thousand feet over everyone else. I felt like Jonathan Livingston Seagull who after courageously flying high over the far cliffs returned to the breakfast flock as they fought and scrappled over the dwindling ridge lift. Did any other pilot flying know where I had been or how high up I had gotten? The nameless white sailplane was the only one who could testify to my great achievements, but he had disappeared into the haze.
As I flew high over the back ridge I had a good look at the stump LZ. From the air it looks like a great LZ but having driven through it earlier in the year Ive found that it is really a rotten place to have to land. Big shrubs have overtaken the ground and the area is littered with chunks of wood and brush. A work party needs to be planed with a couple of chainsaws. In short period of time a few good people could clear away a sweet spot that would make the LZ useable for a long time to come. As the stump LZ is now I know of very few people who have ever landed there and I cant think of anyone who would want to.
I would sure appreciate your comments and suggestions Phil. As far as a work party is concerned I offer myself as chief organizer. I believe we need to do it after the road dries up enough to get a few rigs in with out tearing it up, maybe May or early June.
Thanks for all your work Phill.
Terry Fifield.
Super Grip
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