Winter Wave Day

Apparently the folks at the National Weather Service haven't been referencing my fire schedule when they make the weather, as I have yet to see some stick time this year. Well today thats about to change as Kempton spots a North wind wave day earlier in the week. En-route to the glider port Kempton gives me a call, "want to fly duel in the K-21." Hmm, being downwind of the airport 30 miles out in a trainer sure sounds like fun, but I really want to fly my shinny "ASW-27," maybe I can do both. From here on out the day becomes a roller coaster ride. Just like that, I'm in that back seat of the K-21, a long way from home, behind a ridge, down wind of the glider port.
Fortunately Kempton's forecast is impeccable and piloting skills make up for any lack of performance as we climb in six knots of lift.
We reach 15K behind Goat Ridge and get a wonderful view to the North.
We drive to Snow Mountain with St. John off the wingtip.
Looking NW towards towards Lake Pillsbury and Hull Mountain.
This is my first time in the back seat of a sailplane and I really enjoy just being able to relax, sightsee and learn from Kempton.
I decide to take the stick and circle around in light winds aloft, yet buoyant lift. We climb to 17.5K and decide to leave the mountains. We push upwind across the Valley in hopes of catching the Sutter Buttes Wave.
But with a headwind and medium performance glider we realize we'll never get there. We turn around and Kempton expertly performs the notorious North wind landing on 34 at Williams.
The flight with Kempton was wonderful, but I want to solo. With two hours of daylight remaining I jump aboard the mighty ship "Juliet Hotel" and begin back at square one.
The lift is even stronger, the views just as wonderful as the shadows grow long.
I quickly climb to 17K. With daylight waning, I put the flaps to negative and speed past 100 Knots. Performance is on my side as I cross over and catch the Sutter Buttes Wave just to prove it's there. I race back to WSC and have to pull the air brakes to bleed off 7K feet of excess altitude before dark.

My landing would have been perfect if it were on the deck of a Navy Carrier. Man that North wind gradient is fierce and I get a final lesson for the day. I luckily learn it the easy way. In the future I will always ensure managing my speed all the way to touch down. One day and two wonderful flights on a great winter wave day.