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Saturday, October 20, 2012

Blown Away – Algodonales day 9



Breakfast at tiffany's

More rain overnight and some low cloud when we woke but things quickly improved and after some perfectio eggs we bundled into the vans and headed off up Lijar to the main launch. Gliders were already flying and staying up by 11.15 which is unusual and low cumulus were forming overhead, hmmmmmmm.

Everyone got their kit out and got ready but we kept our powder dry to see what happened. With gliders drifting in and out of cloud a few hundred feet above us no one was keen to go off and I can't blame them. By the time the cloud rose and it looked more sensible the wind had gone to zero and began to flick to the NW. After 15 minutes of steady but light wind from behind we repacked and headed off. Passing the NW launch we stopped briefly to watch the take off's before carrying on to Ponientte launch where things looked better.


Wyn ready to join the fray and get up and away (to cloud base)


Phil climbs out (finally) before heading south


Not sure whats going on here

Gliders were pretty much going straight down but as the sun came round onto the face things improved and by the time it got stay upable the guys were ready with Bill leading the pack. Bill may have been a little premature as he drifted down and out of sight but he hung in there and despite our doubts re appeared after a long absence and clawed his way back up. They guys got going and in a fairly short time everyone was off and away and in the air with Phil bringing up the rear …..........

Some climbed out easily whilst others had to work for it but all got up way above the top (all well over 1500' above) and had a ball with some getting their first real taste of thermalling and loving it. Adi did a cracking job of thermaling up from just above the fish field to join Wyn and Shaun of whom made it up from low down themselves. Kaz kept an eye on things from a lofty perch up near cloudbase before heading off to the landing field to be there for the arrivals. One by one they headed down having had their fill and made good landings in what were fairly bouncy conditions.


3 Amigos after some cracking thermalling in lively conditions


Andrew returns to the fold

Phil came over the radio to ascertain Bills location before announcing that he was going over the back and heading towards Ronda V. Bill was not far away and not much lower and it was not long before he followed suit. In the landing field the boys were more than happy to follow them by road after their epic flights and a celebration beer!

You can relax Michel as we found Bill about half way there beside the road and Phil a few k further on so no postcard today. Both were pretty chuffed to say the least and so they should be.


We found Bill in the middle of nowhere and Phil a little further on


Back together again

In the back of the vans they jumped and it was onto Ronda V by road. Arriving together it was breezy enough but not to much so after a site brief I took off from the main launch to prove it nicely soarable but not the ideal launch point. Kaz showed them where best to take off on the lower launch and made it look nice and easy and was followed by the guys and gal. Cloud 9 took over the ridge in fine style with no one else there we had the place to ourselves, yummy.


Adi gets set to go at Ronda la Veja

Top landings were fine (sorry Simon and Mark) for those who chose to and the lift was a mixture of dynamic and thermal. As evening drew near Bill took off to lead the team down to the roadside landing field on a mini XC and soon a line of pilots were heading out and away. Kaz and myself got in the air and followed a few minutes later to join a happy band who all got there fine.


Cloud 9 pathfinder squadron heads out led by Winco' Bill

Thanks to Phil, Adi and Mike for bringing the cars down and rounding off a cracking day during which so many firsts were made.

Quote of the day “what's your go pro doing under your pillow!” “in your dreams”

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