Almost Strasburg to almost Edinburg Gap.

[Dan T]

In a message dated 5/10/05 6:31:05 AM, mcelrah@verizon.net writes:

<< Hank, did you land in the LZ? I thought I saw you way up toward
Strasburg, low and even behind the first ridge... - Hugh >>

I flew up to about a mile south of the last pond before the Strasburg end of
the gap. The one with the pumphouse in it. Fighting against the strong
headwind in my Ultrasport was an exercise in frustration and near futility. It
seemed like I was progressing at 2 mph or less most of the time. It's enough to
make you think about buying a topless!

Anyway after getting tired of fighting it, I turned south and played around a
little while flying to near the other end of the ridge. I never got
uncomfortably low, although it may have looked like it from a distance. I left the
ridge near the south end at about 1200 above launch and reached Hwy 11 without
having to make any turns in the moderate sized thermals that dotted the valley.

I landed in a big ole field right next to 11 and right across the street from
a Budget Host Hotel or something like that. It has a family restaraunt but
unfortunately no alchohol. It's an easy retrieve and an easy flight for about
11 or 12 miles depending on how far north your starting point is.

Dan T.