Chasing wind…… to Inklers

Chasing wind. Drove 30 min the wrong direction trying to have a go at the day, turned around and headed to the place where its normally less. 18-24 on launch. Early in the flight winds aloft were 24-29, then down to 20-24. Got to fly with what looked like an immature eagle. Good day. Really nice 5:15pm thermal drifted a little over 5 miles with it taking my to 8500' (6200' alt gain).
Was going to go down wind but opted for the challenge of pushing back into the wind to get back to launch. Worked some good lines and made it :- )
The track log

 

Springtime weather..... you never know ....... Tekoa

Winds on top 18 gusting to 26. Set up, hooked into the glider noticed an ominous looking sky that had developed.
Watched it for a few, looked like it was getting worse and coming towards us. Decided against launching, (better to be on the ground wishing you were in the air) Major graupel event dumped.
After wiping ice and water off the gliders a hole opened up out front.
Took the chance for a quick flight. (Rick shortly after)
2.5 hrs later, climbs to 7400' landed back on top with winds in the 25-30 range. It was still flyable but nature called.
The track log

Into the wind

Windy! 25 on launch. 20-30 aloft. Fought the wind. Mike S blew a launch. He was ok, glider was very damaged. Managed to stay connected with the clouds and charge into the wind.
That allowed for a nice little triangle.

Playing hooky: gets you a nice out and return– Tekoa- Oaksdale (Atos vs wind)

NW winds on launch. Stronger than forecast as well. System was coming in a few days, so this might be the best chance we get.
Caught a nice climb and a 2 mile drift over the back. There was some wind aloft. Rather than drifting downwind (even a dead fish can float down stream& the VR can do so much more) I pointed her nose into it and started pushing.
Stayed connected with the clouds helped in the beginning. I was showing 18-25 mph wind.

After a climb, was on glide for few minutes when I fell from the sky, kicking the keel, then slamming back to the BT! Holy!! WTF where did that come from?  Haven't had anything like that around here before.

Started making my way to Oaskdale, then was going to try for Steptoe. Bit of a hole was in front of me and the clouds were getting a different look. Turned tail running back to the hill. Got lowish, and was finding some varying winds. S, W an N at times.
Got back to the hill but the air had become rowdy and unusable. Headed for the airport. A rowdy turbulent glide there to find the sock switching from SW  to N. New it was going to be a handful getting in there.

Wasn’t to bad and had a fine landing. (Glad to get that flight as the rest of the week did not allow any)

The track log.

Day 2: Tekoa to N CDA casino- the long way

High pressure. Some ok climbs at the start. Tough to stay with it between 6-7000 Then it changed and got rowdy. Hard to get past 4500'. Low save by the power lines. Punchy bullying air. 2 hrs later, cues started, a couple of decent climbs confirmed it was on and I was off. Couldn't get past Mica. Ran into nasty air approaching it. Went E to previous days LZ. Thanks Jorge for the retrieve!
http://www.paraglidingforum.com/leonardo/flight/887861

And the XC season begins. Tekoa to N of the CDA casino

Rick, Jorge, Karl, Jim. Did the toilet & wind sock work.  Karl had his best to date.

One good climb then try to outrun the high clouds and shade. We did a good job of it, and had a good time!

Thanks Michele for the retrieve!
My flight
Jorge's flight:

 

Tekoa 3-18-14

Finally a chance to get back on the local hill. Cold temps. 32° on launch. It was forecast 17° at 6000' and 5° at 9000' so with the wind chill at 8000 it was -20° give or take. Bloody cold!!! But such a great time! Frozen camel back tube again. Lots of sink if you weren't in lift.
Tough conditions. Top landed, made a retrieve then took another flight. http://www.paraglidingforum.com/leonardo/flight/885732

flight #2 http://www.paraglidingforum.com/leonardo/flight/885733

My flight

Drag chutes are very effective

My fly by with sound effects, thanks Rick!

Inklers 3-16-14

Strong S winds leaving town.  Arriving at the hill to find N.....WTF?
Killed some time ,check some other local sites, then our suffering was over. Had a near miss with a hawk. I think he was playing on his radio

Having a good time till the rain started. Through the drag chute. Managed 1200' without much effort. Very effective tool. http://www.paraglidingforum.com/leonardo/flight/884526
We had a great time.

My launch:  (Thanks Steve)

 

 

Eagle Butte

We usually get our first flights of the season here. Less precip & warmer temps always have our attention.Pretty good group made it down. 3 paras, 6 hangs (5 flew). Strong wind upon arrival. (This place can be unpredictable) 40 min of waiting and it started backing down. Set up and we were off.

First off the hill I found some very narrow lift. Really had to bank it up to stay in having it stop only 300’ above launch.
Shortly after Rick took off & about that time Jorge still on top said it quit. We got flushed  Managed 25 min before “arriving” at the bottom.  I had a less then perfect landing.
Jorge finally getting his maiden voyage on his new RX gave it a few and turned back on. Jim was shortly after.
We all ended up at the bottom eventually.


Back on top we find out (Doug para) had got a good climb and was off. (He ended up with a 25 miler! Nice!)

Jeff (hang) was working some very light stuff.
No one really had much motivation has the wind was light & he was only a hundred over.


I said to hell with it, 62° and sunshine I’ll have another go, I’m here why not.

Jorge wanted more time, at least another launch & landing on the new glider. He set up also. It was a great call.  40 mins in light stuff getting a couple hundred over. Buzzed launch a few times for good measure.
Another flush cycle got Jorge. I got low but milked it back up. Few more launch passes and to the bottom to break down. Really good day.

2nd flight of 2014, 1st hang flight

Finally! Haven't flown the hang since Oct 31st which was a really good time .

Last flight & day of Oct. Hell of a good one considering the day. Last minute hail mary decision. Rain on the drive out there. Looked ugly at the start but worked out :-) http://www.paraglidingforum.com/leonardo/flight/843952

 

Lot of wind forecast in Spokane, to the N usually works having less wind. It did! Steve and I ran up to Inklers hoping the snow on the backside wouldn’t be too bad. We lucked out and were able to make it up.

Snuck in a 35 min flight before running to land with threat of snow. Hawk said hello 1:14
It was the right call as we broke down a bit of rain started.
We had a great time!

2014 first flight

(Really slacked in keeping up last year, I’ll try again)

Weather, Nov – Dec offered no chance of flying anywhere within a days drive.  Finally, a ray of hope came (enough to go have a look) came and Greg and I headed for Tekoa. Given the light forecast I opted for the paraglider.
Cloud base was half way down the hill. On top was in the 35-40 mph.

Greg Ritchie and I gave mid point a look.15-20 mph. Greg grabbed his speed wing & I my paraglider. It was good for about 15 min getting a 100' or so over, then I was parked. 1/2 bar then full bar, then going backwards. Was a able to get a touch S and land while full bar pulling a B line stall as to not get drug. Worked out. Greg got his workout in with the speed wing with the semi thermic gusty conditions. Welcome 2014 flying season!