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