skyscots: Mt. Saint Helena to Willits Flight

Me, Reavis, John Dudley, and Kurt Niznik got to launch about 1 with cumys beginning to pop over the mountain and then basically everywhere. I got a hiking couple who came to launch to drive the Suby down the mountain to the parking area. The wind was SE and occasionally over the back but then nice cycles would come straight up launch. Kurt went first and stuck but nothing great, then Reavis and John and they didn't get much either. The wind was washing around the south face and it hadn't turned on yet. I launched as John and Kurt headed out toward Ida Clayton fairly low. Reavis was a bit higher but out to the west also.

I found trash in the usual spots and figured the south face where a few clouds were popping might be working. Got over there ok but was losing altitude down to about the climbing rock thinking I might not make Janes or Bennett Lane from there but finally hit some lift which eventually turned on and took me to 6500'. The clouds looked good going toward the Geysers/Cobb Mt. area so I was on my way. John sank out about this time at Ida Clayton and landed so now we had a driver. Kurt and Reavis were working their way down Knights Valley on the lower ridge together.

I stayed high and over the top of the Mayacamas Range getting to 7700' with no problems. Never got below 6000' again till after Hwy 20 at Lake Mendocino. Sweet convergence lift with about a 10 to 12mph tailwind.

Finally the last jump to make it to Willits and I hit big sink and didn't have it anymore, but diverted toward Potter Valley and climbed out to 6400' at the north west corner. With this I easily glided into Willits and landed in a beautiful hay field at 2001 Hearst Road. 3hrs 20mns. 64 miles. Yahoo

Reavis and Kurt landed in Geyserville after flying for 2:30 hrs. They never connected with the high line but said they really enjoyed their flight working it together. We had dinner in Geyserville with them.

Spring is here come out and get u sum!!