4500m+ thermal tops. Light NW
The classic July scenario riun of epic weather continues. The ridge of high of high pressure will begin to deteriorate on Thursday, but good conditions will continue. Stronger SW winds tomorrow favour a big open distance. The very high base and convergence may make it very difficult to stay under the airspace beyond Avila today. With the light winds a closed circuit would be preferable today. Both today and tomorrow are 200km+ open distance days. Some options below. Simplest is the 100km O&R to Avila, the only difficulty would be the return over the pass against the headwind (but with 4800m base and convergence!).
mid day
skew 15.00
Open XC 200k+ see conditions
Open distance X section/ time/conditions
Avila O&R
3 day forecast
What Happened
Strong climbs as predicted (Hakon to around 4300m) but also stagering sink holes. The NW pushed in making things a bit tough. A good percentage bombed at Villafranca in the huge sink hole there. Gavin, Haakonand Nigel over the Pass landed short of the Y junction as things were a bit manic and rough. So much for the Big Wednesday. Yesterday was far more enjoyable.
This evening a nice boat about we hope.
Todays heros below. Also of course yesterday Nigel (//www.50k-or-bust.com/) also made his 2nd 100km out and return from Piedrahita (last year the Avila and out which we had hoped to do today).
Tracks
Nigel
Haakon
July 18th, 2012 at 20:56
Congratulations to Nigel (and others) for some great flying – clearly on good form, which is more than can be said for the weather at present in blighted Blighty! Hope it continues out there, but please save some good flying days and inspiration for next week when I’ll be joining you. Buena suerte y cielos azules!! Bill
July 18th, 2012 at 23:34
watching Haakon on Live Tracking was fascinating, the climb and the sink
and hope the great flying continues for you all