Short Divide 7/15/07

The crew converged around noon at the gas station below Gunsight Peak. After grabbing lunch, we headed up to launch and set up our gliders - and waited. Out in front of launch it was blue with some high cirrus clouds. The problem was the over-development behind us. Around two o'clock, Jeff decided the growing clouds behind us were not a threat and he proceded to ready himself to launch.

Jeff gave it a valiant effort and lasted thirty plus minutes in the raspy, unorganised thermals. The launch at the Short Divide is only a few hundred feet above the primary LZ, making it difficult sometimes to gain the higher peaks in back of launch. However, once you are a few hundred feet above launch, you enter the lift band on the main ridge, and you're "in like flint"! Soon after, Cody launched with a repeat performance. Practically a carbon copy of Jeff's flight.


Jeff helps with Cody's launch




The conditions began to change. The southerly flow became more consistent, and nice looking cumulus clouds began forming out front. I launched, and not too long afterward Greg followed. I was able to climb out to ten grand under the growing cu's and fly upwind eight miles, following a distinct convergence line marked by the nicely formed cu's. Greg played in the smooth evening ridge lift for a while and topped his flight off with a good landing.


The field I landed in, with Gunsight Peak in the background


Greg gets his gas money