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