From late Spring through early Fall, Mount Diablo is impacted by many weather factors, but none so prevelant as the marine layer. Soaring here in summer takes a careful study, a little luck and a lot of trying. Today that infamous marine layer was shallow, poorly defined but well inland due to an onshore pressure gradient. Gerry and I decided to give it ago and Gerry launched first off Juniper. He worked hard out front as fog spilled around the base of Mount Tamalpias in the distance.
After several minutes, Gerry broke through the barrier and climbed above launch bringing hope for the day. Unfortunately, his time above launch was short and after I launched we were both scratching over the lower foothills.
Once over the low hills which were more impacted with that darn marine air we had little hope.
With my awesome ability to sink out first I got to wind dummy the 1000 Footer. It was a handful but I had a nice landing in switching winds. Next Gerry, with a rock and roll approach through a couple of good pops. He handled it as well as he did the days illusive thermals and had a textbook perfect 1000 Footer landing. A short flight with a great ending after testing the marine layer.
With my awesome ability to sink out first I got to wind dummy the 1000 Footer. It was a handful but I had a nice landing in switching winds. Next Gerry, with a rock and roll approach through a couple of good pops. He handled it as well as he did the days illusive thermals and had a textbook perfect 1000 Footer landing. A short flight with a great ending after testing the marine layer.
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