Chelan XC - Day 2 - Blown out

A front brings strong winds from the south and west.

Rebriefed at 12:30 at the LZ then the day was cancelled


Eric Reed and Jack Brown talking to each other via Skype at the LaTeDa cafe

Dusk south along the main Chelan high street

Chelan XC - Day 1 - Task 1

Forecast
SSW 10kmh, top of lift 2000m
Been using XCSkies http://www.xcskies.com/ - this is a must see resource, so much information gathered together under a single interface, don't forget to right click on any location on the map area for an excellent 3 day point forecast and the virtual lapse rate / sounding.
Actual
SSW 10-15kmh varying more W with height, Top of lift 2200m

Chelan XC Classic - Task 1
Butte, Sims, Leah - 62.2km
A race start from a 3km circle over the Chelan launch. A scramble to launch as some high cirrus threatened to move over. Good climbs from launch to 2000m.
Most of the climbs were over launch rather than out towards the edge of the start circle so the race started with a glide to the the start circle then on to the rim.
The rim was marked up by 2 gliders climbing deep into Farnhams, we climbed and consolidated on the rim before moving into the flats towards Mansfield. A worn Ozone glider was higher above our climb and marking lift very well, the pilot knew what he/she was doing.
The southerly demanded we sawtoothed the course line towards Sims. Regular dusties but not working as consistently as the lift in between, perhaps the associated lift was upwind of the dustie core. Long glides upwind to keep south of the course line, taking climbs of 3-4 m/s which were topping out around 2,200m. This was the base we had expected.
The main gaggle broke apart at near Mansfield when 10 gliders split for a long glide towards a shady area, 3/4 of the way up a climb . I stayed behind not having confidence with the next climb from the height we had. They connected from low and moved on as the lead gaggle.
I pushed more strongly upwind but could not connect with the strong lift expected from the dusties.
Jack Brown marked a good climb slightly west and downwind of Sims which Matt Dadam and I joined, took 300m from it before I lost the strength of the climb, Jack stayed with it longer. Matt and I glided cross head wind for Sims finding some useful lift lines then turned for the downwind 11km to goal.
Glide to goal was sinky, Matt was slightly ahead. 4kms out it did not look good although the course line would took us over some gently rising ground before dropping off to the TP/Goal.
Matt turned off to reclimb over some ploughed paddocks, I carried on looking for some lift from the rising ground. The rising ground zeroed which gave just enough to get over the 400m but not enough to safely turn into wind for a landing. Ended up with a bottom down, legs up slide through some forgiving bull rushes next to a stream.

Flight -
Results - http://chelanxcopen.com/results.htm

Lessons
Launch early and use the time to get into the rhythm of the conditions
10 gliders from the front gaggle halfway into the task represents good odds for finding a climb
Move the goal 50m closer to the last TP

Chelan - Free Fly - Day 4

Forecast was for windy but the Butte was allowing us to fly. Winds from south allowed soaring and isolated climbs out to 2200m, rough sharp edges but enough to let us reach the rim. Slowly climbed out on the rim over Farnhams to 2600m the pushed ahead towards Mansfield, long periods of shade were subduing the dust thermals but the air was buoyant with some good lines, keeping above the 2200m line. The push to Mansfield found the sink lines, ignored a dusty to the north and south looking for a climb from Mansfield town. This did not work out, landed just passed Mansfield beside the main road.

Lessons
Take and enjoy the opportunity to push and practice alone

Chelan - Free Fly - Day 3

XCSkies posted a 70% cloud cover day which worked out fairly accurately.
Some cirrus obscured and subdued the usual blue skies of Chelan.
The launch was very light from any of the three directions, light dust devils were breaking off sporadically so it was evidently working.
The flats were quiet, with mostly tractor dust rather than the customary dusties marking the lift. The climbs were slow from launch, launched late and topped out at 2,600m. Easy, buoyant glide into headwind to the rim gave ample height to move past the powerlines into the flats. Joined Matty Senior in a very weak climb that was going to take a long time to get up to the top. Elected to fly back to the soccer LZ and take a swim.
Several pilot struck out and made good flights, I hear of a 75km triangle and out and returns to Sims with base of 3000m.

Lessons
The day is often better than it may look
It's good to know when to pace yourself and take a break

Chelan - Free Fly - Day 2

Weather
Forecast
SE, 6kmh, 2,700m, Isolated Cu
Actual
NE, 28kmh, 3,300m, Good Cu
Chelan Butte, WA, Free flight

Comments
Light wind from the NW, cycled up Ants, often cross to the N
Climbed out from low, working with Brad Gunniscio, topped out at 2500m and flew south along the Butte ridge line with Brad, Meredith, Cherrie and Chas.
Did not have the coordinates for the Ranch, was looking for one of the local pilots to lead out to Cashmere; they elected to cross the Columbia to the flats down past Waterville.
I turned back and flew head wind to the Butte then crossed the river to the flats at Farnham/McNeill. The prevailing wind was now more from the east and pushed thermals from the flats towards the river making the transition quite straight forward.
On the rim climbed to 3000m and began to push an east headwind of 25kmh towards Withrow.
Good cumulus streeted up well and I turned more towards Farmer and pushed on 15km into the flats then turned and took an easy tail wind run back to the LZ

http://www.paraglidingforum.com/modules.php?name=leonardo&op=show_flight&flightID=114533

Lessons
Preparation with coordinates of Ranch necessary for the likeliest task for the day
With a retrieve easily available push further upwind and use more of the day

Check out this blog from Will Gadd http://gravsports.blogspot.com/2008/07/17990-feet-over-boulder-serious-hypoxia.html

Sherrie and Chas practising long term relationships

Chelan - Free Fly - Day 1

We are back in Chelan, yesterday was a free flying day
Overcast in the morning, light wind after strong wind overnight.

The sky cleared around 10:00 and some cu began to build. We got to launch for 12:00 by which time there was good cloud everywhere. A big cu nim cell was building to the North west, towards Omak.

We launched into strong climbs with a dark cloud directly over launch. It was immediately giving 5/6 m/s in the core - I climbed halfway than left it to have a look around. Cu regularly over the plateau and all surrounding high points, unstable but not yet blown vertically.

Returned to the launch cloud, climbed to 2000m, 300m short of base and transitioned across to Farnhams / MacNeill spur with Conrad.

Reclimbed on the rim and headed in towards Mansfield watching the cloud v carefully. The CuNim cell over Omak was spreading to the East and although upwind and 100km away, was looking ominous - the Cu all around were beginning to develop more vertically, cloud cover was 4/8.

Pulled the plug and flew back to the Soccer LZ, landed and packed up looking at a great sky and questioning my decision.

1 hour later a strong gust from came down the Columbia river valley, blowing a lot of dust with it. Validated my decision which was reassuring following my previous Chelan stuff up.

Gust front hits the Chelan Falls Soccer LZ

A brief intermission

Have to go to the UK for a couple of days, back in USA for Wed 23 July.

Tiger - Day 1

Flew at Tiger today with Conrad, Matty and Heather
What an interesting site, overlooking Seattle, strong maritime influence but not seriously impacted by sea breeze. Organised shuttle or walk up to the launches.
Understand better now why the emerging pilots from Tiger are so good at climbing in weak and broken lift, this place makes for an excellent training ground - this is where Tom McCune must have honed his skills

Pine Mountain - Day 3 - 220km - New Oregon open distance record

Weather
Forecast
15,000ft, good lapse rate, wind from the NW
Actual
15,000ft, blue then high cumulus, 35kmh W/NW
5,000+m, 3-7 ms

Pine Mountain, OR – Free flight
Open distance

Comments
Cross wind launch from the west face at 12:30, no cu but lots of smoke in the air, visibility was acceptable but poor.
Conrad, Matt, Cherie, Chaz, Steve Roti and I all launched. Took a climb to 3000m then moved on down wind along Highway 20. A line of cumulus convergence running NW/SE had formed a little past Brother and I aimed to connect with this.
Conrad landed a little after Brother, Matt and Cherie were one climb behind.
Just before the convergence line took a climb to 3,800m and the day began to show some of its potential.
Wind was from the WNW, around 10knots and giving a ground speed of 30 knots
Upwind of the convergence was very rough, the best part of the line was on the downwind side where the lift was more organized.
Cherie took a better line in the convergence and moved ahead with good height. I had to regroup but eventually topped out at 4,500m under some solid cumulus that has built down wind of the convergence.
Used these cumulus to move quickly east maintaining height between 2000 and 3500m. Ground speed was now moving up to 40knots, climbs were running between 2 and 6 m/s
I deliberately slowed a little before Burnt as the day was moving on and I was intent not to get low prematurely as per the previous flight.
At Burnt moved more Easterly along highway 78 which was aligning better with the wind direction. Took a long slow climb past Burnt then pressed on to the East. The ground began to rise at Crane and change into rolling arid hills. The heat from these hills began to form a band of broad lift which maintained for 20km.
The route I had chosen now showed it’s weakness as the road moved around to the north, continuing east was not practical as the land was uninhabited and had no roads as far as the eye could see. Would have been wiser to follow Route 78 which would have allowed more distance along a road.

Landed at 220km, needing to work hard to lose height with 2 hours of useable day still to go.
An 8 grape flight and possibly a new Oregon open distance record.

The Longhorn ranch where I landed

Cherie flew 198km and Matty 130km - a day that turned good despite the smoke

http://www.paraglidingforum.com/modules.php?name=leonardo&op=show_flight&flightID=112513

Many thanks to Conrad, Heather and Matty after a long retrieve. Regretfully we ran out of electricity on the way home (stuffed alternator) and had to overnight in Burns.

Lessons
Watch the day carefully for changes and respond accordingly
Preparation, load maps in GPS to aid navigation and route selection whilst flying
Maintain concentration throughout the flight, hydration and food

Pine Mountain - Day 2

Met a local "Jim" at the local coffee shop who bravely agreed to drive for us - everybody was keen to fly following yesterday's forecast and actual. Cherie and Chas have come up from Woodrat so we have a good group including Conrad, Heather, Matt and myself.
Met another pilot up on launch, Brett from Bellingham, Washington.

Weather Forecast
Forecast, 15,000, good lapse rate, wind from the N
Actual, mid level cu turned into imminent cunim - increasing wind from the N

Conrad launched first and climbed out to 10,500, mid and high level cloud worked through and obscured the sun. Mat, Cherie and I followed but the cloud cover made finding climbs difficult.
The thickening cloud cover then created wide spread lift which encouraged us to land.
Conrad flew to Brothers then also chose to land
The sky cleared after 1 hour but then the wind increased.


Lessons
Drivers can often be found at coffee shops with very little notice - many people are retired and happy to get involved

Pine Mountain - Day 1

A good forecast for Pine Mountain, OR persuaded Conrad, Matty, Heather, Tres, Peter and Meredith to try for a big flight. A 6:00 start from Woodrat got us to launch on Pine Mountain by 12:00.

Weather
Forecast
15,000ft, good lapse rate, light wind from the N
Actual
15,000ft, blue, 10kmh N/NW
4,000+m, 3-7 ms

Pine Mountain, OR – Free flight
Open distance, 129km

Comments
Cross wind launch from the west face at 13:00
Matt Senior launched first and climbed straight to 2,700m
I followed but was slow to climb, Meredith launched then a strong thermal with some attitude took us up to 2,700m. Tres and Peter followed a little later.
Heather and Conrad wisely elected not to fly as the launch conditions were very changeable, gusting from 0 to 30kmh
We moved on and took a climb to 4000m, left this still going and followed highway 20 to the east.
Slightly cross tail wind kept us on the highway, after getting pas the power lines and establishing we found regular lift. Elected to take only 3ms unless low.
One low save at 80km above Conrad and Heather took me back to 3,400m
At 5:00 crossed a small green area where I got low again, left a 1-2ms to glide to a quarry that had previously been dust devilling.
This did not work, landed at 129km

Flight

Meredith flew 115 PB, Peter flow 160km, PB

Lessons
Use the most appropriate launch.
Maintain preparation - Good forecast but suffered a radio failure and no grapes
When low / late in the day take any climb until reestablished

Jeff Huey, local guru, with partner Jane

Rat Race - Task 5 - Day 7

Weather
Actual
Blue, inverted, smoke laden from the fires in California
1,700m, 1-3 ms

Woodrat – Day 7 – Task 5
Rabies, Burnt, Woodrat, Rabies, Cemata, Donado

Comments
Stable, light northerly following an overnight southerly.
Launched early, climbed 200m above launch, worked the top area then watched David Wheeler cross to Burnt, he took some turns so Matt Senior and I headed over.
Burnt was not working very well, David got flushed off and Matty and I dug in as the gliders on Woodrat made better height waiting for the start. Matty and I split, I went North to the spines in front of Burnt, Matty focused on midvalley between Burnt and Woodrat. I found the first climb and recovered to 1,400m but ended up 1.7km outside the start gate, with 7 min to go.
The Woodrat comp gaggle decided Burnt was the place to be and promptly headed over to a rather non lifty burnt ridge.Interesting to see them spread out and hunt down whatever lift was available. An efficient machine, a hungry gaggle.
Made Rabies and Wood Peak then Rabies again. My glide to Rabies was poor compared to several other gliders, got in lower and turned immediately for Burnt. Weak thermals to no more than 1,400m. Got into Burnt low but worked up with Matt Dadam, moved across to Cemetary with 5 other wings. Lift was scarce. Jack Brown, Dean and Bill Hughes had moved forward before and were not marking/finding anything.
At Cemeta found a downwind of the 1km circle and stayed with that for a long slow climb that topped at 1,700m. Bill Belcourt and I lead out the glide to goal from 12km.
Long lightly tail wind glide giving 10/12-1 LD. Bill had 30ft height but we were side by side.
Neither of us wanted to use speed as we were not sure we could clear the ridge before goal. When we eventually had a clear glider over by perhaps 10m we both accelerated through the rotor and sink for the remaining 3km.
I eventually took the first collapse with Bill taking another very soon after. Left me with a couple seconds ahead of Bill to take first in.

Flight, Results

Martie took the no 1 spot for the competition after Dean Stratton made goal but stuffed up his start time - he missed the gate by 2 minutes. Hard lesson to learn

This flight is dedicated to my father who died 2 days ago. He bought me the 5020 which guided me into goal today - his spirit was waiting at goal at the end of the long 12km glide. Love yah poppa.

Lessons
The day is usually better than it looks.
Fly the glider at the speed you would fly on your own, do not be distracted by the speed and glide of other wings.

Rat Race - Day 5

Weather
Actual
Blue, inverted
2000m, 1-3 ms

Woodrat – Day 5 – Task cancelled

Our Rat Race team, Fez, Melanie and John

Comments

Stable, light easterly wind. Evidently unusual conditions and direction for Woodrat.
Several tasks were presented and each replaced as conditions changed. Eventually at 3:30 the day was cancelled and we went free flying.

Flight

Lessons
Switch on the audio on the vario before you launch.

Rat Race - Task 4 - Day 5

Weather
Actual
Blue, inverted
2500m, 2-5 ms

Woodrat – Task 4
Rabies peak, Burnt, Wellington, Cemata, Donado

Comments
Thermal working much better today. Easy climb from launch then across to Burnt to wait on the Start.
Climbs immediately to 2300m, 10-15 kmh from the west
100m off start gate for the go, 5 or 6 gliders 100m above and 200m behind
An acceptable start.
Glide across to Rabies Peak was turbulent and lift lines were varied, Convergences were trying to set up. Used very little bar for the transition, lost no height but some glide to gaggle.
Took Rabies Peak and glided back to Burnt, ignored lift until Burnt which recycled quickly.
Took a similar glide line towards Rabies Peak to work towards the Wellington TP.
Ignored evident convergence some 4-5 km ahead and a little east of the course line to focus on high ground terrain at Rabies Peak.
A deteriorating glide into stronger wind left me below Rabies Peak and in the leeside. Turned downwind into the rabies bowl (Chinamans gulch) and took a northerly line down the bowl. 3 other gliders took a more southerly line in the same leeside. Despite extensive searching I found nothing to work and landed, the 3 gliders to the south successfully picked up a climb from low and worked their way out.

Flight , Results

Lessons
This is a known convergent area with the colliding airflows from the many valleys.
A convergence line was clearly setting up on the course line (off the terrain) being marked by several gliders. With 3 tasks gone and 3 days to go it was time to begin to push through with some individual decisioning.

Rat Race - Task 3 - Day 4

Northern California Fires

A familiar story of fires, this time in Northern California. We have seen smoke in the distance but have not been impacted yet. A big pyrocumulus built and broke the inversion way to the south yesterday, eventually forming into an anvil head.

A remarkable picture of a part of the battle, more images here

Woodrat – Task 3
Rabies, Woodrat, RabPk, Burnt, Rabpk, Purcell

Comments
Difficult start, inverted, stable, tight thermals going nowhere
Escaped up to Woodrat TP and climbed a little waiting for the start
Some gliders went across to Burnt to wait for the start, I saw them but was nearly as high over Woodrat TP. Then got flushed from the TP, the start gate open and I elected to make my way over to Burnt to recover and begin the task – late!
Burnt went well, Rabpk worked reliably, Woodrat allowed us to get back onto Burnt to reclimb. Left at 1600m with enough to get onto Rabies.

3 gliders were climbing out over the 1km ring of Rabpk and had nearly topped out. I tried to connect with this climb but over committed and was flushed low into the Rabies bowl.
Reclimbed, took the TP then topped out to 2000m for a glide straight to goal.

Going straight to Burnt for the SG was the better move

Flight

Hayden Glatte won the day, starting from Burnt

Scores

Lessons
If a strong trigger (burnt) is evidently working when elsewhere is not as reliable then go to it.
Committing to the flushed climb at RabPk was a good gamble with a recovery strategy (just)

Rat Race - Day 3

High pressure, stable, inverted
A warm day and a forecast for a strengthening NE wind with no sign of a low inversion breaking saw the day cancelled at 2:30pm.

Light relief at the river and a search for Walmart - aisle 4

Rat Race - Task 2

Weather
Actual
Blue, inverted
1,500m, 1-3 ms

Woodrat – Task 2
Rabies, Woodrat, Rabies, Burnt, FlyAir, Squires, Purcell

Comments
Good start with a low top of climb, 1500m
Dense, tight cores in small thermals required tight turns soon into the surge
Lead gaggle formed from TP1 and then ran the TP’s until FlyAir.
On the return from FlyAir the lead split between direct to Squires and Squires via Rabies then Woodrat.
Direct Squires route worked better

Lessons
With tight cores swing into the initial turn and centre the core on the turn
Requires a compelling reason not to fly straight line to a TP over a trigger

http://www.paraglidingforum.com/modules.php?name=leonardo&op=show_flight&flightID=109761

Rat Race - Task 1

Weather
Blue following some cumulus spread
2,000m, 2-4 ms

Woodrat – Task 1
Rabies, Woodrat, Rabies-Pk, FlyAir, Purcell

Comments
Good start, glided onto Rabies into a 2.5ms climb
10 gliders turned straig back to Woodrat, I stayed in the climb – the 10 found a good climb on Woodrat and that formed the lead gaggle and gave it an immeadiate break.

Played catch up for the next 2 TP and closed down a little.

Last TP was FlyAir, lead gaggle dived in and looked like they might find it hard on the west side of the valley. I hung and reclimbed at Rabies looking for the height for a single glide.
Still had to reclimb for 100m in the valley after the FlyAir.
Lead gaggle found some lift and made it to goal by 15 mins. Dean Stratton lead the way.

http://www.paraglidingforum.com/modules.php?name=leonardo&op=show_flight&flightID=109386

Results http://www.flyxc.org/ratrace08.html

.

Lessons
With relatively short tasks there is not much opportunity to catch up when you lose the leading pilots.

06/7/08 - Rat Race practice day

Weather
Unstable, Cu
2,100m, 2-5 ms

Practice task - Rat Race
Rabies, RabPeak,, Woodrat, Burnt, Winery

Comments
Difficult to climb at launch, clouded over.
Sun came back and we reclimbed, Matt Senior broke for Rabies and found, convergence working in the valley. I worked the convergence and followed Matt into the Peak and then back to Woodrat – took a slightly better line and had height at Woodrat to go straight to Burnt.
Matt was below Burnt and had to reclimb, that let me slip into goal first.

http://www.paraglidingforum.com/modules.php?name=leonardo&op=show_flight&flightID=108748

Lessons
Improve final glide, arrived with 1,000ft

05/7/08 - Woodrat - Free flying

Weather
Actual
Unstable, Cu
3,200m, 2-5 ms

Free flight
Towards Grants Pass
Back to alternate LZ

http://www.paraglidingforum.com/modules.php?name=leonardo&op=show_flight&flightID=108296

Comments
Difficult to climb at launch, convergence working in the valley, quite turbulent in the boundaries of the convergence.

Lessons
Look for convergence - cloud and gliders climbing away from trigger points.
Expect turbulence

03/7/08 - Chelan Classic - Day 5

Way to windy for us all - day canned.
Forecast for Friday looked windy too so we bailed to get to Woodrat a little earlier.

Stopped over with Heike at Brett's place in Portland, left at 5:00am (sorry Heike) to get to Woodrat for 1:00pm

02/7/08 - Chelan Classic - fly day 4

Weather Forecast
Unstable, light wind, SE
Actual
Unstable, blue then isolated Cu
3,400m, 2-5 ms

Task 4
Chelan Classic, free choice - 87km triangle
Butte, Farmer, Mansfield, Soccer LZ

http://www.paraglidingforum.com/modules.php?name=leonardo&op=show_flight&flightID=107868

Comments
Launched at a good time, climbed out immediately from the spur out front of launch (Heather's thermal)
Climbed to 2500m then crossed with a gaggle, Matt Senior, Kendall, Brett Yeates (Canadian)
Climbed easily on the rim, a cloud built for a good first climb
18 kmh headwind to Farmer, slow going which needed more bar. 2 thermals to Mansfield with fast climb to base over the TP then a cloud line to goal.

Lessons
At Farmer, pushed on upwind past the TP for a dusty climb, Should have taken the TP then turned and run down wind (Brett did so and took the lead after being behind)

01/7/08 - Chelan Classic - fly day 3

Weather
Forecast
Unstable, 70% chance of CuNim, light wind
Actual
Very unstable, blue then developed and overdeveloped, CuNim with thunderstorms
4,000m+
2-12 ms
CuNims already very active to the south east before we launched

Task 3

Chelan Classic, free choice
Butte
Sims
Gust front

Comments
Launched at a good time, climbed out immediately
Topped to 2600m then crossed with gaggle
Climbed easily on the rim, clouds building on the flats – strong climbs
Pushed on to Mansfield then on to Sims

Sky developed quickly but very visibly. Tried to push back to Mansfield for multiplier points.

En route got caught in widespread convergence from surrounding Cu Nims which stopped us from getting down in time to avoid the a gust front from the Cu Nims.

Wind picked up to 75kmh+. Picked a big dust paddock and landed backwards. Got the glider down under control after a fast 10m plough through the paddock.

http://www.paraglidingforum.com/modules.php?name=leonardo&op=show_flight&flightID=107481

Lessons
Could easily see the development either side of Mansfield but pushed on with a glide towards Mansfield that was in a blue hole, it would score better.
Totally misjudged convergence from the CuNims on either side which slowed me getting down onto the deck. The convergent lift was widespread and strong, some times more than 9/10ms.

Started spiralling to lose height but oft times was actually climbing.

Descent techniques - Most of the time extended spirals were not losing height but they were beginning to impact on me physically, increasing nausea through the spinning. Used speed bar and big ears to search for less lifty air where spirals could become more effective. During the searching was climbing at up to 5/7ms.

Essential to make a height decision point (2500m) where it would be necessary to escalate to alternate height loss manoeuvres - possibly sustained full stall s

The day was way big, should have been on the deck at Sims or carried on east into clearer sky.

Fixated on task, stuff the ego and get on the ground

Following is a posting by Matt Senior

"Everyone who lives dies, yet not everyone who dies has lived. We take these risks not to escape life, but to prevent life escaping us."

This is a quote I heard of about 6 months ago and wrote it down on a small piece of paper and put it into the window of my wallet. It reminds me of why I enjoy paragliding so much and is a reflection of how I like to look at life.

On Tuesday I (we) almost died flying on the flats by getting sucked into the convergence of two Cumulus Nimbus developments. I wanted to write about my(our) experience so others can learn from our very foolish mistakes. It was the third day of the Chelan Classic, with a forecast of 99 degrees, light winds with a 20% chance of thunderstorms, the day was shaping up to be identical to the day before. We had a small contingent of paraglider pilots at the comp and had all been working together, flying together as much as possible and sharing information. The day before we all managed to fly around the edge of some pretty large developments with great success all managing some pretty nice flights.

Tuesday shaped up to be very similar to the day before as we watched the clouds begin to build. Climb rates were strong (1500fpm+) and cloud base was around 12,000feet. As we moved out onto the flats at around 2:30 the developments were big but there was plenty of blue around them and no immediate threat.

As we moved east over Mansfield things started to look much better to the east with 95% of the sky totally blue there were only a few small Q's to be seen ahead of us. Our self appointed task for the day was Sims corner and back to the soccer field about 100km and very achievable considering the conditions. There were 5 of us working as a group Brian Webb, Conrad Kreick, Brett Yeates, Kyndel Banister and myself. As we pushed on to our turnpoint at Simms Corner the small Q's ahead of us began to build but no bigger than the day before. We were all very aware of the conditions radioing back and forward to one another of our observations, thoughts and concerns. East still looked good but behind us there was a large cell growing fast over Waterville indicated by an increasing amount of shadowing on the ground below it. There was also another Q'nim forming fast toward Brewster with its anvil head blasting tens of thousand feet in the sky.

As we took the turn point and headed back towards Mansfield there was a nice blue street separating these two developments with some small Q's forming in the middle of it. At that point we all were aware the day was drawing to a close and getting back to the soccer field was going to be impossible. We talked amongst ourselves agreeing we should just fly back to Mansfield and land. Brian was out front by a mile or so and radioed through that he was in some serious lift, spiraling and going up and suggested it was time to land. Brian is a very experienced pilot and it took me all of 1 second to follow his advice and begin spiraling myself.

From 7000feet I began to wind my Boom 5 up tighter than I have ever spiraled before. With its long lines it only took about 20-30 seconds before I couldn't handle the G's any more so exited and looked at my instruments again to notice I was now at 7100feet. This is when I began to realize the seriousness of the situation I was in and needed to get down fast. I went straight back into a hard spiral holding it for twice as long, pulling massive G's and descending at over 2000feet per minute. Eventually I had to stop to avoid blacking out, I noticed my altitude was now 7400 feet. I couldn't keep doing spiral after spiral so smashed my speed bar pulling big, big ears trying to fly away from our blue corridor that had suddenly turned black as the two cells took over the sky. Conrad had luckily landed just before Sims and wasn't in danger, Kyndel was still pushing on to Mansfield tracking to the south of me and Brian was still in a similar predicament as me only closer to the eminent gust front. Brett and a hang pilot were several thousand feet below me spiraling hard as well.

My goal now was to fly around until I could find some air that wasn't going up at 1500fpm+ and spiral in that and try to get on the ground as quick as I could. I was lucky and found a very small patch of 200-300fpm up and spiraled my brains out trying to focus on pegging away at 1000 feet at a time. I was thinking I really need to focus now on being careful not to black out, taking quick 10-15 second breaks in between sets to ease the G's and give the stomach muscles a break. Below I saw Brett land by the road as I continued to track the sink north over his head spiraling hard. Less than 2-3 miles away the gust front was approaching and the wind on the ground was getting bad. Although the wind was a concern I just wanted to get down and if it meant getting dragged through some flat fields I was OK with that so long as I wasn't in the air. I continued my spirals to 100feet above the ground then pulled my ears in and radioed through to the group that I was OK and going to be on the ground soon. I landed on a road going forward, immediately detaching myself from the wing, put my hand on my knees and began to dry reach from the G's I had endured.

I was alive, safe and very very lucky. Within 1 minute of being on the ground the wind picked up from 20mph to 40mph+.

Brian however wasn't so lucky he got caught by the gust front coming into land several miles west. With his comp glider on full speed he was flying backwards fast. At the same time Conrad was on the ground nearby and observed the winds to be at least 30-40 mph. Brian landed going backwards and was dragged face first through a dry dusty field. Blinded and choking on the dust as he got dragged, he managed to pull on one brake until he had one wing tip in his hand disabling the glider. Kyndel got lucky and found a good line of sinking air on his way west and landed safely seconds before the gust front.

Here is a list of the mistakes we made and lessons we learned from our very narrow escape.

• We flew back towards a developing sky because there was a blue corridor.
• We were fixated on two tasks, first flying back towards the soccer field, then once that began to be unachievable back to Mansfield.
• We were fixated on the task(s) rather than safety.
• We should have landed sooner or flown away from the development.
• We ignored signs on the ground of strong vertical development – dusties converging.•Always try to fly out of the strong lift to spiral down.
• Hopefully no one will ever been in a similar situation but if you are turn the volume of your radio on full so you can hear updates from fellow pilots while your spiraling and make sure your sink alarm is on so you can audibly hear your descents. (There is nothing worse than spiraling hard with your leading edge horizontal to the horizon and your vario beeping that you're climbing.)
• Don't push full speed bar then pull bug ears on a comp wing.
• Make sure you don't blackout because of the G forces created by high descent rate spirals.
• •If in doubt land.

30/6/08 - Chelan Classic - fly day 2

Weather
Unstable, blue then developed and overdeveloped, CuNim not thunderstorms
4,000m+
2-8 ms

Task 2
Chelan Classic, free choice
Butte
Withrow
Mansfield
Bridgport

Comments
Launced at a good time, climbed out immediatley
Topped at 2400m then crossed alone, got in on the rim at Farnhams with enough height to edge onto the flatlands.
Initially tried for Farmers (SE) then changed to Withrow with a strengthening head wind.
CuNim beginning to develop to the South.
Worked hard to get Withrow, watching the developments closely then turned for Mansfield.
Joined Matt Senior at Mansfield but then split up again.
He went N, I went NE towards Leahy.
Split back to Bridgport and landed.
Cunim then developed and dumped rain

Lessons
Don’t get fixated on a TP (Withrow) that got harder as the head wind consolidated
Once the TP was in the bag then then stick to your own game plan (triangle to Soccer field) rather than being distracted by other pilots

http://www.paraglidingforum.com/modules.php?name=leonardo&op=show_flight&flightID=106996

29/6/08 - Chelan Classic - fly day 1

Got caught on launch, queued behind PG and HG for 1 hour.

Climbed to 2400m then crossed, got in on the rim with Conrad and Matt Senior
Conrad bombed on the rim Matt and I scratched out.

Decided to fly to Mansfield taking a good run reaching 3000m, pulled away from Mat on the way.
At Mansfield good lift made me decide to try a triangle to Withrow then perhaps onto Farmers. Got a bad sink line and pulled away to the west after 10kms, reclimbed where Matt rejoined. I was going to fly straight back to goal but Matt was keen to make the Withrow triangle. He pushed out towards Withrow whilst my climb consolidated back up to 3000m. I watched Matt until he took a climb then joined him for the flight to Withrow then back to Goal.

http://www.paraglidingforum.com/modules.php?name=leonardo&op=show_flight&flightID=106486

Brett Yeates, Canadian, had been slightly behind us and took a good line from Mansfield to Farmer and then back to the LZzzzzz. Ho took the day with a better triangle.

Lessons
Be ready to launch, do not get caught in the queue
Watch for climbs on the rim more closely
Leave a bad line with enough height to make a save
Don't get spooked by a bad line, there is always another better line

28/6/08 - Chelan fly day 2

A short flight with Matt Senior and some Americal pilots.
I decked near the Mansfiled / McNeill canyon TO.
http://www.paraglidingforum.com/modules.php?name=leonardo&op=show_flight&flightID=105572
Matty and co reclimbed to 3000m and flew on down past Brewster.

Shenane picked me up and together we chased down Matt, Stefan and Meredith.

Good to get to see the areas form the ground.

Lessons
Have height to climb safely in dusties or move on to secondary source
In SE thermals are being blown off the flats so the rim can become a good trigger area

27/6/08 - The first flying day at Chelan

A light wind day to get the flying started.
Conrad and I cross to the rim and head towards Witrow, Conrad lands there but I managed to keep going to fly to Douglas then back to the soccer field. Was good to do the Douglas / Soccer field leg after the last task of the Chelan nationals comp 2 years ago.
http://www.paraglidingforum.com/modules.php?name=leonardo&op=show_flight&flightID=104937

Joy came out and picked up Conrad and we met up a the LZzzzzz

Comments
Difficult to pick course to fly
Need to set up some variable triangles in advance
Nealy decked on the rim on the last leg to LZ
Left broken lift and was lucky to get a good climb in a gully

Lessons
When low stay with lift unless there is a clear sign to move forward.

26/6/08 - Chelan

Joy, Conrad and I drive to Chelan via the Ranch where Doug Stroop runs his school. Doug takes the time to show us aroind, nice training hills.
I pick up a 2m radio suitable for flying with from Doug, looks like he runs a pretty tight operation, Conrad is impressed with him http://www.paragliding.us/

Time slips by and we grab a quick mexican meal before heading into Chelan - the Beebe camp ground is closed so we overnight at Chelan airport. Conrad has invested in a small trailer which he tows behind the stealth mobile. Deserved comfort for Joy.

My tent from 2 years ago is still serviceable and keeps out a gusty southerly.

Arrive at Seattle

25/6/08
Albury - Sydney - Taipei - Los Angeles, Seattle.
Long China Airline flight eventually gets in to Seattle at 1:00am.
Conrad had hauled himself out of bed and gets me to back to Renton to catch up on some sleep