Olancha Peak is the southernmost BIG mountain of the Sierra crest.
It stands 12,123 feet above sea level, and we can pass by even 2000' below that peak and still have enough height to glide to Lone Pine - unless we're stuck in a wicked downslope wind from the west.
Below us on the right, the 'town' of Olancha is little more than a couple convenience stores and gas stations near an intersection. The strip there is ONLY 60 FEET WIDE between high brush, so no wide-span sailplanes can land.
On our left, we've been passing a series of splendid wilderness meadows that look like golf courses. The last ones before the terrain goes above timberline lie above 9,000' elevation.
