Warmer today with a task set up to Grants Pass, across the valley, and back to Longsword winery.
Start was tricky with a strong inversion at around 5000ft. I got a bad start by missing the main gaggle and dropping too low to make the initial crossing to Burnt, and ending up grovelling low below ridge height. The winds were already building and high cloud had come in and effectively shut down most of the thermals, so it was going to be a hard day.
I struggled along the course to Rabies peak and towards Grants pass, then got ended up without enough height to get around the top of humbug canyon safely. Ended up just creeping around the corner into the Applegate valley and landing vertically in a nice field with black faced sheep observing curiously.
Only five pilots made goal today due to the tough conditions and cloud cover.
My progress had been so slow it took nearly 2hrs 16min just to fly 16km down the course line. The Race field is really small this year - only 48 pilots, and I was 41st...
The other pilots who made it around the corner to the Grants pass turnpoint were sailing overhead into the valley on the other side, then getting stuck on the ridges close to the road, so there was lots to watch while waiting for retrieve.
Start was tricky with a strong inversion at around 5000ft. I got a bad start by missing the main gaggle and dropping too low to make the initial crossing to Burnt, and ending up grovelling low below ridge height. The winds were already building and high cloud had come in and effectively shut down most of the thermals, so it was going to be a hard day.
I struggled along the course to Rabies peak and towards Grants pass, then got ended up without enough height to get around the top of humbug canyon safely. Ended up just creeping around the corner into the Applegate valley and landing vertically in a nice field with black faced sheep observing curiously.
Only five pilots made goal today due to the tough conditions and cloud cover.
My progress had been so slow it took nearly 2hrs 16min just to fly 16km down the course line. The Race field is really small this year - only 48 pilots, and I was 41st...
The other pilots who made it around the corner to the Grants pass turnpoint were sailing overhead into the valley on the other side, then getting stuck on the ridges close to the road, so there was lots to watch while waiting for retrieve.
This little guy found the winds too much...like me
Found this little gem waiting for retrieve
'Artesion Water a Gift of God' at a cemetery so visitors can water their flowers
Click the Image below for Tracklog on Leonardo