Saturday 24 March 2012

Jaca Week 3 Day 6

Last day - very promising briefing with the prospect of cumulus at 10000'. We were keen to make up for the lost day and to ensure that everyone had a similar amount of flying overall. When the conditions remained blue it was the Finns who cheated taking a very high launch that encouraged us to get going and show them how to do it properly. First sorties made it to the top but it took a little work to get there but it was worth the effort with some detailed inspection of the rock formations at close quarters. Returning for the second round still with the absence of cumulus, nothing had really changed then a solitary cloud appeared for about 2 mins then vanished. While Steve and Bob were accumulating precious minutes Merv raced back to make sure that Roger was not left out. Last launch, possibly a little optimistic, but a reasonable climb was found so off we set for the high mountains, finding very little in the form of useable lift we were now a long way from home with 3000' in hand but with some 4000' ridges in the way in the K21. Tiptoe-ing back with the altimeter unwinding and not a squeak out of the vario we eventually arrived at the point where the first climb was found. Surprisingly, it was still working and after several minutes we had at least enough height for a circuit. It would have been more than a little embarrasing to have landed out on the last flight of the week and have missed the main event of the customary dining in evening at chez Toya.

Our plan had worked and everyone was delighted with their flying allocation and all enjoyed the traditional meal and post flight banter. We have just lost an hour as the clocks have leapt forward so its now well past bedtime.

Merv

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