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

2ToFly.com - US Tour 2009 - Summary

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