2ToFly.com - US Tour 2010 - Day 15

Last day of the tour and we are still in Chelan. Matt and Barry have decided to stay on for a few moew days whilst Peter has to get back to Seattle for his flight tomorrow

A forecast of light east, 5-10kmh with a blue day. Top of lift of 3200m.

On Chelan launch for 12:00 where we discovered problems with the Ford dropping oil, Conrad took it back down to check it out. Merydth put up here oyota as the retieve vehicle.

We set a triangle task to Waterville then up towards Mansfield and back to the Soccer LZ however it was very light on launch, switching between all launches – lots of people clammering for the launches and only a few cycles to help them off the hill however Peter and James managed to get away quite quickly.

Mattie and Barry waited for a couple of hours then we switched to the top launch after Conrad got back with the Ford. Matt and Barry with Conrad had flights over to Cashmere, Peter landed early on the rim beside the power lines.

We drove up the the Mexican restaurant at Brewster, close by Pateros for an end of tour dinner and talked tall stories until overly late.

Barb and Joy drove Peter back to Seattle whilst we all stayed on to fly some more

2ToFly.com - US Tour 2010 - Day 14

A forecast for a light N, 5-10 kmh and some cu's already in the distance as we drive up.

On Chelan launch for 12:00 where we set a task to Waterville again then Cashmere or Leavenworth. We used the top launch again where Matt, Barry, James, Peter, James and Conrad launching quickly into fickle conditions and climbing out - all except for Peter who discovered the Soccer field LZ after a long struggle.

I followed a few minutes later but my little ducklings had already chosen to push on without me, I did not catch them up until past Waterville

Barry flew to goal at Cashmere, discovering just how cold it can get at base. Matt, James and I flew the stunning flight into Leavensworth. We landed with Nick Greece and Nate Scales on red R10.2's, company for my lonely blue beast.

We had a meatfest BBQ at Cashmere then back to Beebe. Some pilots beginning to turn up now for the comps.

2ToFly.com - US Tour 2010 - Day 13

A forecast for N, 5-10kmh. Already some cu in the distance as we set up - top of lift 3000m.

We got to Chelan Buttle launch for 12:00 but it was already strongly from the NE. Did not look good but we waited for an hour and then checked out the top launch by the antennas. luckily for us the NE dropped off and the day began to shape up. The locals stayed down on the more customary launch, in the leeside.

We set a goal to fly to The Ranch, Doug Stroop's venue for his school at Cashmere, via Waterville on the plateau. This would get everybody over their first river crossing and out ont the flats.

I launched and climbed out to 2500m, the others launched and joined me 30 mins later. Nobody else was taking off at all that time from the lower launches.

We grouped up and crossed to the rim with lots of height, reclimbed well onto the flats then flew towards Waterville. At Waterville we carried onto Mt Badger then across the Columbia again to work along towards Cashmere and the Ranch. Peter and I landed in the park next to the river. Matt carried on for a few more km's towards Ledenworth. Great retrieve from Barb and Conrad who had taken the Ford down early to sort out a vibration that started during the long drive from Lakeview. 4 now tyres and good as new. They had already picked up Varry from closeby Waterville and were only moments behind Peter and I

2ToFly.com - US Tour 2010 - Day 12

Forecast for Lakeview was increasing wind so early 6:00am start to break camp and drive to Chelan. There was a possibility that Pine Mtn might be flyable so we drove via Bend to check it out. Looked a little windy so we kept on going to Chelan after picking up Barb's Berghaus jacket (long story).

10 hour drive with a couple of brief rest stops and lots of talking and sleeping got us into Chelan and Beebe park with time to set up camp and get an evening meal from town.

2ToFly.com - US Tour 2010 - Day 11

Oregon XC league meet again at Hadlyn so we met up with the guys at Hadlyn, similar NE flow. Wade again at Hadlyn launch. They set a task to a TP upwind along the ridge then antother at the Paisley airport then the same goal as yesterday. I launched first and found it low and slow, the others decided to opt out of the task and free flew. Peter stumbled on launching and hurt his knee, wisely decided not to relaunch. Stayed stable but both Matt and Barry flew down to Paisley where we all got together for a late lunch.

We decided to go out to Abert's rim, a huge ridge on the way back to Lakeview. We met a buddy of Conrad's, Paul on the road and he joined us. Hiked up Abert's - that was hard - but it was very light, Conrad launched and glided down

. Mattie launched as the wind increased a little and got up then Paul launched and nearly got blown over the back as the stronger lake breeze come in very quickly. Barry nealy got blown over the back but wisely aborted. Peter, Barry and I watched the wind lines steadily strengthen on the lake then walked down to find Matt, Conrad and Paul.

2ToFly.com - US Tour 2010 - Day 10

A forecast of NE, 5-15kmh with some cu at the top of lift of 3400m. Looked promising. The Oregon pilots were having an XC league meet together with a free flight festival for the 4 July weekend. Lots of paragliders and hang gliders everywhere.

We met up with Wade from Bend at Hadlyn launch above Paisley. Same cool deal with marking the launch, this time a huge "P" for paragliders, bit unfair on the hang gliders but. On launch we find Paul Murdoch, Rick and Hayden from Woodrat. Our guys are happy to join in on the XC task so we let the day take it's course.

A task from launch, a TP close by then 30km cross wind to goal. Murdoch and Haydn got away early whilst we got stuck on launch as it came over the back a little. Peter, Barry and Matt all got away. Murdoch threw his reserve but landed safely, right beneath Haydn and I though neither of us saw anything!!.

Matt andBarry made the first TP, Peter and Conrad both got to goal - Peter winning the day out of the Aussies

2ToFly.com - US Tour 2010 - Day 9

Cool town Lakview, they have a huge "L" on the side of the hill marking the launch that you can see from miles away. They must love the free fliers to have written up the launch like that

Day was looking a little windy by 10:00. We got up to launch over Lakeview and there were already some gliders ridge soaring, Cu was already building.

We all launched except for Barry, the Geos is not too fast and he made a wise decision. We all landed fairly quickly and allowed the day to develop. A couple of paragliders flew and got away, also some hang gliders. A big day for some, one slept out overnight in his wing and they were still searching for a missing hang glider the next day

We did some talking and theory, thermal centering and coring. Barb and Joy prepared a fine dinner then off to bed

2ToFly.com - US Tour 2010 - Day 8

We got up to launch for 12:30, it was looking a little stable. We set task to Rabies Pk, Burnt, Cemata then Donatos again.

We launched at 1:30ish, Woodrat was hard work getting up. Peter and I transitioned across to Burnt and climbed to base in the local convergence. Peter went off on course and I went back to launch too see if I could help the others. Matt and I transitioned across again to Burnt, Matt climbed then set of to Cemata. I went back for Barry who had been stoically scratching over Woodrat the whole time and we both fell into a good climb over launch. Back to Burnt with Barry then we did Cemata and Donatos trying to catch up with Matt. Peter had already landed at the LZ.

Matt, Barry and I all got to Donatos, regretfully no beers waiting for us this time

Conrad, Barb and Joy met us at Donatos with the van packed and we drove 4 hours across to Lakeview and set up camp. Matt, Barry and Peter motelled, we camped at Hunters RV park.

2ToFly.com - US Tour 2010 - Day 7

Lots and lots of wireless, thank you Mike and Gail then off to launch for a 2400m, light wind forecast

Ready to go for 12:00pm, we set task to Rabies Pk, Burnt, Cemata then Donatos. Rick came out and flew with us, the best wind dummy!!

Launched at 1:30pm, Woodrat was stable so we followed Rick across to Burnt where we all got up to 2200m in much better climbs. Across to Rabies and Rabies pk playing with the thermals in the convergence, except for Peter where the thermals played with him. Back to Burnt where we all regrouped then Cemata and the last downwind leg to goal at Donatos.

Everybody got Cemata then a good source of a big mowed paddock wouldn't recycle in time leaving Matt, Barry and Conrad 6km short of goal. Peter and I made goal with Peter enjoying a Don beer immediately after landing.

Back to Woodrat for the glass off, with Peter, Barry and Matt all getting up in the convergence and landing at Longsword - alas again no wine as they had just closed

2ToFly.com - US Tour 2010 - Day 6

Broke camp by 9:00am ready to drive to Woodrat via Crater Lake National Park, Kinda awesome to see what mother nature did to this mountain just 7500 years ago.

Reached Woodrat and joined Mike and Gail Hayley of Rat Race fame, who hosted us at their place.

Glass off at Woodrat from mid launch, Matt and I got up in some convergence then landed at Longsword but the winery was closed. Peter and Barry flew and landed at the regular LZ

Dinner in Jacksonville where Paul and Sy Murdoch joined us for a drink

2ToFly.com - US Tour 2010 - Day 5

Another blue say with light cycles. The wind direction is from the SW so we are divided between heading for Paulina or Rileys again. We decide to postpone a decision until at Brothers once the day has settled in.

Matt, Barry and Peter quickly climb out to 3000m then set off on course without us. Its good to see them setting off so confidently.

Conrad and I followed a little after. I went to Barry and Matt, Conrad joined up with Peter. Matt landed quite early after selflessly looking for lift for Barry and I. Barry made it to a little short of Brothers after hauling himself up from very low just past the powerlines

Peter and Conrad move east past Brothers towards Riley but a radio failure and a line of threatening cu's growing quickly persuade Peter to land,Conrad and I turned back to Brothers

Lunch at Brothers with Dixie. We did not fly the glass off but cooked up some rice and veggies at the camp site then played some cards

2ToFly.com - US Tour 2010 - Day 4

Brekky as usual then 10:15am departure to launch.Timely arrival for 11:15am on west launch, preparation then ready to fly at 12:00pm

More light cycles and a blue day, some cu's popping way in the distance on some high points. We set a goal of Riley’s, 117km downwind

We launched and climbed together in scrappy lift then a solid core came through as we all hit 3000m, time to go across the sink hole on the leesside of pine towards the high desert. Very heavy sink which grounded Barry and very nearly Peter and Matt. Conrad shrewdly kept a little to the south and missed the worse of it. 5kms out and the sink turned to lift with a broad band of climbs to 3600m.

Matt flew 55km then got sucked down by a big round crop field, he managed a PB of 3,600m, 12,000’ height.

Peter took 3 PB's - distance of 104km, height gain of 3600m and duration of 6 hours

Conrad made 112km, just short of goal and I made 107km.

Barb expertly found us all for a long drive back.

To late for the glass off so back to Bend for some supper and sleep

2ToFly.com - US Tour 2010 - Day 3

Internet and food at Wholefoods, moving into a routine here now. 10am departure to launch with the sky looking a little more predictable and docile. 11:15am on Pine west launch and prepped up ready to fly at 12:00.

Some light cycles and a blue day so we set a task to Brother's about 30km up the main highway.

I launched first to check out the air, felt good so the other followed. We all climbed out except for Barry who scratched hard but then bombed. Matt made goal and also reached 10,000 ft

After landing Barry reflew on his own to get away, Peter and Conrad flew 40km past goal.

2ToFly.com - US Tour 2010 - Day 1

Forecast for Washington and Oregon looked troughy for a couple of days so invested the time to drive 6 hours down to Bend and Pine Mtn,

Did some talking on the way, radio process, retieve system, radio process, retieve system, SPOT usage. Covered improving launch skills and chatted over how you could improve task starts

Got to Pine for 5:30pm, glass off was on so we hauled up to to the first bench then launched for a beautiful 2 hours in the evening magic air

2ToFly.com - US Tour 2010 - Day 2

All up and ready by 9:00am, we are camping at the Skania RV in Bend
Time to get some breakfast and wireless at the Wholefoods Health Store, relative word "healthy".
Met up with Steve Roti at midday at the Pine Mtn LZ then up to launch. Checked out the on Mtn camping and SW launch before going around to the West side.

Met 3 hangies, a local Ben and Ross and his partner from the east coast. Barry knew Ben from a chairlift in Chamonix - you need to be careful these days.
Interesting sky with signs of lots of different events impending - we sacrificed Conrad into a light W/NW which withing minutes turned into a strong W, he flew out and landed ok. We packed, watch the HGs then drove down
Some hard kiting at the Big Fly rec grounds then back for a pasta dinner cooked by Joy and Barb

2ToFly.com - US Tour 2010 - Day 0

Conrad and Joy have finished the Rat Race at Ruch and driven back up to Seattle with Barry. The new Ford 4wd looks great.

We have picked up Matt and Peter from SeaTac and escorted them around Walmarts for the shopping.

Salmon BBQ at Conrad's then an early night for an early start tomorrow

2ToFly.com - US Tour 2010 - Pre Tour

Flying from LA to Seattle, lots of snow on the mountains in Oregon & Washington. Weather suggests that there is still a spring influence and that south is mayhaps better for flying at the moment

On our way to Conrad's to prepare for the tours and do a little flying at Tiger