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