Paragliding with Brian - 2Tofly.com

2ToFly.com - US Tour 2010 - Day 15

2010-07-18T15:34:00.005+10:00

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

2010-07-18T08:52:00.009+10:00

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

2010-07-18T08:33:00.005+10:00

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

2010-07-18T08:22:00.008+10:00

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

2010-07-18T04:43:00.007+10:00

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

2010-07-18T04:25:00.004+10:00

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

2010-07-18T04:02:00.007+10:00

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

2010-07-17T10:39:00.007+10:00

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

2010-07-04T01:47:00.006+10:00

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

2010-07-03T16:04:00.003+10:00

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

2010-07-03T15:38:00.003+10:00

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

2010-07-03T09:21:00.008+10:00

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

2010-07-03T09:06:00.006+10:00

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

2010-07-03T08:54:00.013+10:00

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

2010-07-03T08:22:00.005+10:00

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

2010-07-03T01:39:00.006+10:00

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

2010-06-16T15:02:00.010+10:00

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

2ToFly.com - US Tour 2009 - Summary

2009-11-24T11:32:00.009+11:00

Duration: 15 days touring with 12 days of flying
Sites visited, Chelan, Pine Mountain, Mt Shaster, Woodrat, Tiger Mountain, Seattle
Pilots on tour
Lindsay Wootten - Gradient XC2

Paul Underwood - Advance Sigma 7
Phil Lyng - Gradient Golden

Toni Skerrit - Advance Omega 6
Rod Harris - Nova Mamboo
Personal bests for all pilots

Distance: Lindsay 164km, Paul 149km, Toni 99km, Phil 63km
Out and Return: Lindsay 101km, Paul 88km
Triangle, Rod 80km, Brian 120km
Height: Lindsay 4,200m, Paul 4,700m, Toni 4,110m, Phil 4,545m
Duration: Paul 5 hr, Phil 4hrs

2ToFly.com - US Tour 2009 - Day 15

2009-07-23T12:09:00.015+10:00

The last day of the tour, we elect to cruise the day in Seattle and at Tiger to avoid a long day at Chelan, 4 hours driving each way.

A lie in until 8:00 followed by voluntary eskimo roll training from Rod in Conrad's back yard - Lake Washington .

Great instructing from Rod then we leave for Tiger. Conrad, Paul, Lindsay and Phil hike up, Toni and I take the shuttle for $17.

Tiger is pretty stable with top of lift capped at 1300m leaving us only 300m to play with above launch. We still mange to thermal for 90 minutes before bailing to shop at Fry's, a huge electronics store.

Rod has stood host for a farewell dinner at the Seattle tower restaraunt. This coincides with Conrad's birthday and a major celebration.

The restaraunt was excellent and we had amazing views of Seattle as the sun set; could not see Meg Ryan anywhere but.

2ToFly.com - US Tour 2009 - Day 14

2009-07-23T11:52:00.008+10:00

A sunny day at Woodrat but the threat of increased wind. We elect to drive back to Seattle to position ourselves close by Chelan or Tiger. A leisurely camp pack and drive back to Seattle with the group discussing theory on XC and comps whilst we drive. Just when is the best time to take off and how can we improve our concentration during flight.

A lunch stop at Eugene beside the river then an overnight at Conrad's ready for the last day of tour tomorrow

2ToFly.com - US Tour 2009 - Day 13

2009-07-23T11:28:00.011+10:00

An average forecast at Woodrat indicated 2100m base and winds from the SW again.

This time we stay at Woodrat where locals Rick and Hayden Glatte join us for the day.

We were not going to fly 100km here but today was definitely going to be technical and a test of our skills. I have been trying to get to Grants Pass and never yet made it, this might be the day.

Lindsay - 48km out and return

Paul - 42km out and return

Phil - 32km height 4110m

Toni - 17km

Rod - 15km

Conrad - 51km out and return

Brian - 51km out and return

Weather

NE followed by W/SW, 15-25kmh

Base 2100, blue

As expected a technical day, Grants Pass and back for most of us. Excellent flying in what was originally a meagre looking day.

Goal is the Longswords LZ, a winery that give a free glass of wine id you land at their shop. Paul and Conrad enjoy the free fare then Barb and Phil bought a couple of bottles and start a session which needs a cold swim to settle down

Joy and Conrad prepare lasagne for supper and we enjoy a balmy summer evening at Murdochville

2ToFly.com - US Tour 2009 - Day 12

2009-07-23T05:41:00.006+10:00

Rick sees some potential in the day for Herd Peak, overlooked by Mt Shaster, It is an hour south and not flown very often but might be good in the SW forecast. Base is estimated at 4000m provided we get the trigger temperature.

Sounds like a great plan as we have not been down to the Shaster before so we plan for a drive across the border into Norther California.

Mt Herd belongs to a pilot who has done some serious work providing a good, clean paraglider launch.

The view to Shaster is amazing and after 20km picking through some trees over the back there is flatlands as far as the eye can see.

Lindsay - 10km

Paul - 31km

Phil - 8km

Toni - LZ

Rod - LZ

Conrad - 12km

Brian - 68km

Weather

Light SW changing W then NW, Southerly higher, 15-35kmh

Base 3200m, blue

A hard day working to get away from launch in a strong inversion which eventually broke 2 hours after launching. The trigger temperature was slow to be reached.

A site definitely worth spending more time at

2ToFly.com - US Tour 2009 - Day 11

2009-07-22T03:46:00.007+10:00

A long but successful three days at Pine Mtn. Today we have to figure if we stay longer or move on to Woodrat. The decider is whether we can fly Mt Batchelor, a special event if it's possible. Steve Roti checks out the winds and confirms it's too strong so we pack to head for Ruch, Woodrat.

A beautiful 3 hour drive across the Oregonian mountains puts us on the west side and a totally different climate. The wind is on the strong side here as well so we take an early lunch at the Magnolia grill.

We catch up with Rick and Paul Murdoch. Paul invites us to camp over at his place, a generous offer which we quickly accept - Murdochville is very good

Paul takes us up to the lower launch of Woodrat for the evening glass off. Sometimes you can get 2000m in the convergence and fly back to Paul's place but not tonight however 2 hours soaring until dusk is a great intro for the guys to Woodrat

2ToFly.com - US Tour 2009 - Day 10

2009-07-21T01:07:00.016+10:00

You know how some days test your metal, perhaps I am a little rusty

The only key we have to the mini bus gets locked in the bus at 8:00am. We call the local road service who sort us out v quickly.

On the way up to launch I drop the rear wheel of the bus over the edge of the track and we get stuck, blocking the road for all the PG

and HG aiming to get up the hill for a good looking day.

This is the best looking forecast of the last 3 days so Paul, Rod and Lindsay walk up to launch ahead whilst the HG pilots and PG pilots we are holding back work hard to help us clear the vehicle. Conrad, Toni, Barb and I get up to launch a couple of hours later. The forecast is for W/SW 15-20kmh, top of lift around 4500m. Some Cu's are beginning to form as we work on the bus.

A frenzied collaborative effort and we get going in time for the day

Lindsay - 12km

Paul - 149km - PB, 4700m (hypoxic happier still)

Phil - 45 km PB height 4545m

Toni - 10km

Rod - 10km

Conrad - 25km

Brian - 45km

A tough, rough day decking most of us. Paul hangs on then pushes for his PB of 149km, just short of Burns.

Weather

W/SW, 10-25kmh

Base 4700m,

2ToFly.com - US Tour 2009 - Day 9

2009-07-21T00:42:00.007+10:00

Another promising Pine day. A more SW forecast may push as a way from the I20 and up into the hills near

Paulina. Base is predicted at 4000m+ so we talk a little about hypoxia

Lindsay - 120 km - PB open height 4,200m, PB 2 * 100km flights in a row

Paul - 120km - PB height 4620m (hypoxic happy)

Phil - 32km PB height 4110m

Toni - 99km (after a reflight) PB, 4110m PB

Rod - 20km

Conrad - LZ

Brian - 120km

Weather

W/SW, 10-15kmh

Base 4600m, blue

Lindsay, Paul and I fly past Paulina to the edge of the higher hills - at 6:00pm we decide to land washing off 2000m as the terrain is getting difficult. Toni joins us much later after a relaunch and a great flight.

Another long and late retrieve - Barb, the SPOTS and the Nuvi are doing a great job

2ToFly.com - US Tour 2009 - Day 8

2009-07-20T23:52:00.017+10:00

Pine Mtn is an imposing site, it stands 1000m above the semi arid high desert of eastern Oregon. In the distance you can see the snow capped peaks of Mt Bachelor and Mt Jefferson. The air in front of launch can be fierce so we must take care.

It is looking good today for some distance. A westerly forecast will help us to fly along the I20 towards Bucks Creek 70km away and we have a predicted 3400m. the first 40km before

Brothers is usualy the toughest.

Pine Mtn video by Toni Skeritt

It is relatively cold on launch so we know to rug up for the height that might come. We launch at 1:00pm, the day starts slowly but soon opens up and we can stretch our legs a little

Lindsay - 164 km - PB open distance

Paul - 40km

Phil - 63km PB

Toni - LZ

Rod - 20km

Conrad - 35km

Brian - 120km

Weather

W/SW, 10-15kmh

Base 3,200m, blue

We stage the short retrieves at Brothers where Rod finds some home made apple pie. Riley has some real cowboys with spurs who like Pepsi cola.

Lindsay flies a great 164km PB, landing

shortly before dusk and we have a late dinner in Burns after a long retrieve

2ToFly.com - US Tour 2009 - Day 7

2009-07-20T16:41:00.011+10:00

An easy drive into Bend where we catch up with the local guru and old friend Steve Roti.

Small panic when we find the State Trailer Park is full so a swift relocation to a park in town is called

for.

After setting up camp Steve comes by and we

drive down to Pine for the evening magic lift. Pine is remarkable with a very consistent evening glass off.

Perfect conditions as we arrive, a drive to the LZ then a small bench up to launch and then climb to the top of Pine and fly till dusk.

2ToFly.com - US Tour 2009 - Day 6

2009-07-20T16:33:00.006+10:00

A front is moving in and will give us the opportunity to drive down to Bend and Pine Mtn for a timely change of venue.

We break camp and load Conrad's Sprinter with the camping gear. He hitches up the trailer and we load up the mini bus with the flying gear and the pilots. We know that we have a 2 non XC days so we aim for Hood River to overnight with T.

Some XC theory and tactics on the drive down then we meet howling wind as we get towards Hood River, a local Mecca for windsurfing and kite surfing.

BBQ at T's looking over to a snow capped Mt Hood then bed down ready for a drive into Bend the next day

2ToFly.com - US Tour 2009 - Day 5

2009-07-20T14:32:00.007+10:00

A bigger day still has been forecasted but with wind coming from the E-NE, an unusual direction for Chelan - 4000m+ base. We go up to launch suspicious of what we might find.Winds are light but definitely from the NE. Dust devils are breaking off all around the launch every 5 minutes. Conrad launched, crossed the rover then landed. A HG tandem launched after a 30 minute wait, he climbed out way over near the river.

Dust devils still going off and we decide to go with the locals and drive back down.

Internet and swimming with some lunch at the local diner

At 4:00pm the sky shaped up and looked awesome, base looked like 4500m. I reckon we could have launched at 5:00pm and still skied out however we chilled and readied a BBQ. Chris tries some vegemite on corn cobb and brian tries a burger for the first time.

2ToFly.com - US Tour 2009 - Day 4

2009-07-20T03:47:00.006+10:00

A bigger day still has been forecasted, more light winds with a 3500m+ base

Some animated discussion over flying north to Canada or east for more triangles. Triangles prevail.

Lindsay - 101 km flat triangle - PB out and return

Paul - 88km flat triangle- PB 5 hours duration

Phil - 61km dog leg PB, PB duration

Toni - 60km dog log

Rod - 80km FAI Triangle

Brian - 120km FAI triangle

Weather

Light and variable, tending from the W/SW

Base 3,700m

Toni has compiled a movie of our days at the Chelan

2ToFly.com - US Tour 2009 - Day 3

2009-07-20T03:05:00.006+10:00

Today is the first big flying day - XC Skies is forecasting 2800m+ and light winds.

The guys all get across to the flats, Lindsay and I get to Sims and nearly get back, Paul, Conrad and Toni take Farmer and still make Sims. Phil lead out across the gorge but decked it on the rim.

Flights

Lindsay - 91km flat triangle

Paul - 75km dog leg

Phil - 10km dog leg

Conrad - 71km dog leg

Toni - 76km dog leg

Rod - 69km dog leg

Brian - 93km flat triangle

Weather

3200m base

SW turning W, 5-15kmh

2ToFly.com - US Tour 2009 - Day 2

2009-07-20T02:28:00.009+10:00

Camp has been established at Beebe State park beside the Columbia river. Chelan and the launch is 10 mins away.

Showers are good but beer and wine is drunk from coffee mugs - state park rules

no alcohol.

A little windy today although they are SIV'ing on the lake, we chose not to fly but to get over the jet lag. Some the guys go hiking at Winthrope on Sun Mtn and we have a BBQ whe they get back

2ToFly.com - US Tour 2009 - Day 1

2009-07-20T02:10:00.004+10:00

Picking up the guys from SeaTac went well - An intial Walmart frenzy for tents and bags then we had everybody showered and tucked up in bed by midnight after a salmon BBQ and salad on Conrad's porch. An early start today to get to Chelan and some flying

2ToFly.com - US Tour 2009 - Day 0

2009-07-19T12:40:00.010+10:00

We have finished the Rat Race at Ruch and driven up to Seattle to get ready to pick up the rest of the guys.

Conrad, Joy and I have shared the Sprinter. Paul and Lindsay have found a lift with Chris Amonson

We have to pick up and prepare the bus. We have ordered a 15 seater so that we have heaps of space for all the gear and pilots

Tonight we pick up Toni, Phil, Barb and Rod from the airport and settle them into Conrad's for their first night. Lindsay and Paul are already here and ready to go.

Back in the USA for 2009

2009-06-27T16:55:00.005+10:00

Wow - the year goes by so quickly

This season we have organised a Cross Country Paragliding tour around the North West of USA. We are travelling though Washington and Oregon. The tour is 15 days long but some of the guys wanted to be over for longer so we have joined in with the Rat Race at Ruch in Oregon and the tour starts immediately after from Seattle

See 2ToFly.com

Pictures from the 2009 Rat Race

Mystic - Free flying

2008-08-17T17:16:00.007+10:00

Forecast from http://www.xcskies.com/ , click to enlarge

Actual

Wind WSW, 15kmh Base 1500m rising to 1800m, climbs 2-3m/s, no cloud other than cumulus on the high peaks and flatlands.

Comments

XCSkies predicted a day with enough base to transistion so we dug out the winter woollies. Thermals were mostly small and wobbly, the ball in the bottom of the glider was trying to get out.

Barb, Bob, Bill and I enjoyed a sunny winter day flight down to Smoko.

http://www.xcontest.org/world/en/flights/detail:brianmwebb/17.8.2008/02:32

Picture courtesy of Bob Saville

Bright - An Australian site in winter

2008-08-10T20:46:00.003+10:00

Snow on Mystic. does not happen often
http://picasaweb.google.com/brianmwebb/SnowOnMystic02

Chelan XC - Day 6 - Task 3

2008-08-06T21:19:00.004+10:00

Forecast
WSW, 6 kmh, Top of Lift 2800m, Cu
Actual
WSW, 12 kmh, Top of lift 3200m, Cu

Task
Butte, Soccer field, Entry gate 1.5km, Farmer, Leah, Soccer field 122km triangle

Comments
A good forecast so we looked for a task to use the weather, 117km F?I Triangle
A Cu built over launch before the window opened so there was no problem getting off the hill. The Start was an entry cylinder 1.5km around the Soccer LZ which was also the goal to ensure a completed FAI triangle.
Base around the start was 2,600m. Not a good start for me being 300m below the base when the race began, other pilots managed to keep to base so there was a definite opportunity for improvement
Lots of gliders on the rim to help with the first climb which went straight to base of 2,800m. Regular Cu marked the course and the race was on.
4 gliders immediately pushed strongly ahead and set the pace to Farmer. The run from Farmer to Leah was good until just past Mansfield where the cloud thinned out. We slowed to get good height into Leah which was in a blue hole.
The lead gaggle took Leah then set up for the headwind leg back to goal. They did not find a climb immediately and were delayed long enough for us to catch them east of Mansfield. 6 of us then pushed on into a 15kmh headwind towards the edge of the rim and the soccer field goal. A convergence street set up to the north of the course line and cu also marked the direct line to goal. Five of us took the direct line and one glider, Dean Stratton moved to the convergence line for the 40km drive to goal.
Josh Cohn and Matt Dadam moved ahead whilst I found their glide difficult to match. 15km before the rim the cu dissolved leaving a blue hole to the rim and then to goal. The lead gliders found sink and got low towards the edge of the rim, Matt and Josh just made it to the edge of the rim at McNeill canyon and began to look for a climb in the leeside before goal. Jack Brown had the height to glide onto the Farnhams/McNeill spur.
I found myself a little lower and without a sure glide to the edge of the rim so turned back 2km from the rim and sought a climb back on the flats. Did not find a climb and landed short of goal.
All the other gliders in the leading gaggle made goal.
Dean Stratton who followed the convergence line got into goal first and high, clearly a good decision for the last leg of the triangle.

A great day of flying in conditions which are not unusual at Chelan, 40 gliders successfully completing 117km triangle clearly indicate the quality of the site.

Flight http://www.paraglidingforum.com/modules.php?name=leonardo&op=show_flight&flightID=118154

Results http://www.chelanxcopen.com/results.htm

Lessons
Focus on the start, improve observation to be aware of all gliders and their height and climbs to maximise height and position for the at the start time.
Value a clear sign of convergence lift when pushing headwind.
Value climb opportunities when low close to goal, I ignored a climb to push towards a glider beginning to turn 100m upwind, that glider quickly left their climb as it was not solid.
Consider more clearly the value of using good pilots scratching low and their joint ability to find lift
Ensure sufficient height when falling back to search down wind for lift

Chelan XC - Day 5 - Blown out

2008-08-02T04:08:00.001+10:00

Sebastian is shorn

Chelan XC - Day 4 - Task 2

2008-08-02T01:11:00.004+10:00

Forecast
SSW, 10kmh increasing to 25kmh, top of lift 2,600m
Actual
SSW, 10kmh increased to 20kmh, top of lift 2,800m

Task
Chelan Butte to Okanagan 68.8km - Race to goal

Comments
Winds increasing caused the task committee to limit to the task length to 70kms, Canada was very possible today.
The task was designed to make the pilots choose which route to fly. The task could be tackled from the west over the hills or the east across the flats. As the race started the field immediately split with the majority going west to the hills and 20 gliders chose the flats.
My start was not good, being 100m lower than the highest gaggle. I chose the west side more because I was lower and it was an easier initial transition rather than a clear tactical decision.
The peaks over Chelan Airport were working leeside with interesting air. Stayed there until a climb consolidated well enough to allow a glide to the flats south of Brewster, river crossing 1, reclimbed on the flats then a glide on the course line across the river again and over some green river flats.
This was the second decision point as east and west routes converged south of Brewster. The faster but longer route proved to be to keep east and fly over the higher ground of the Colville Indian reservation.
A green Boomerang marked a scrappy climb 20km short of goal. This broke up and caused a dive to the ridges in from of goal, the increasing southerly flushed us of that ridge and left us in some demanding leeside before a climb that gave enough to get to goal.

Cherie Silvera won the day, I think she flew the west route, Mike Steed actually got in first but dropped some leading out points, Mike flew the East route across the flats. The pilots that flew the east high ground leg made much better speed than my route direct to goal.

Results: http://www.chelanxcopen.com/results.htm

Lessons
Formulate your start strategy before the start gate opens - I left myself in the middle start rather than positioned on one side or other of the gate for the best start.
Be patient and make sure you have good height before major transitions. Was good to hold at the airport and climb out, also good to climb on the flats south of Brewster before crossing

Chelan XC - Day 3 - Blown out

2008-08-02T01:08:00.004+10:00

Not as clear cut as yesterday so we all went up the hill to confirm, day cancelled at 11:00.

Ben Kovko looking pensive

Chelan XC - Day 2 - Blown out

2008-07-31T01:21:00.005+10:00

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

2008-07-30T01:38:00.005+10:00

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

2008-07-27T11:02:00.002+10:00

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

2008-07-27T02:52:00.002+10:00

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

2008-07-26T02:04:00.004+10:00

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

2008-07-25T02:42:00.002+10:00

Chelan - Free Fly - Day 1

2008-07-24T11:20:00.003+10:00

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

2008-07-20T05:42:00.000+10:00

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

Tiger - Day 1

2008-07-19T16:34:00.003+10:00

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

2008-07-17T01:25:00.022+10:00

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

2008-07-17T01:16:00.010+10:00

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

2008-07-15T01:45:00.004+10:00

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

2008-07-13T16:38:00.005+10:00

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

2008-07-12T15:02:00.003+10:00

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

2008-07-11T15:00:00.002+10:00

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

2008-07-10T12:13:00.010+10:00

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

2008-07-09T08:44:00.004+10:00

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

2008-07-08T10:18:00.001+10:00

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

2008-07-07T15:12:00.006+10:00

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

2008-07-07T12:57:00.004+10:00

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

2008-07-07T12:42:00.004+10:00

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

2008-07-07T11:02:00.005+10:00

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

2008-07-07T10:11:00.003+10:00

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

2008-07-07T01:57:00.012+10:00

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

2008-07-07T01:33:00.004+10:00

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

2008-07-06T15:19:00.003+10:00

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

2008-07-06T15:13:00.003+10:00

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

2008-07-06T14:43:00.004+10:00

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

2008-07-06T14:27:00.004+10:00

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

2008-07-06T14:22:00.003+10:00

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