Cruzing Torrey

Saturday I finally got to fly Torrey Pines. The forecast was saying North winds at Crestline and strong west wind at Torrey. I decided to take a mini road trip and check it out. I got down there around 12:30 and conditions were perfect. It was blowing in a steady 18+ mph. That kept many of the PGs on the ground and the hangs owned the day.

I filled out their super waver and had to watch a 15 minute video on the rules. It was actually fairly well done, high production value. I took my time setting up and made sure to get as much info from the locals as I could. Many thanks to Predator-Joe for the mentoring.

I only flew twice and both were pretty short flights. The flying was pretty much like everyone says (Boring Pines, Snoring Pines, etc.) But it was some of the clearest air your will ever see in Southern California. I flew with the camera on my keel for one flight and then strapped it onto Joe's glider. Here are a couple of frames:

Flying with Joe:


Thermalling over the golf course:


Joe caught this image of the peer to the south:


I was on that beach with a friend of mine in the summer of 2006. As we were relaxing in the sand I saw hang gliders and paragliders flying up at Torrey. I thought "oh yeah I wanted to try that someday..." It's pretty satisfying to know that what was once a dream of mine is now a reality.