A windy day, classic convergence and all that, but just too much wind to fly. We did an Archeological trip to the Celtic ruins at Ulaca. Below a picture of Ralph and I on the human sacrifice altar. After lunch at the restarant below the Menga take off we went to do a little local soaring at La Gargana de Villar.
Lunch at Menga
Sacrificial Altar at Ulaca in the Avila valley
As the wind was over the back at PN we decided to try a new take off across the valley at Tortoles. 3 flew, but with no success whilst meanwhile the wind came onto PN. Taking off around 5 pm we still persisted with our goal with myself, SinGas, Ralph, Fred and Mark able to fly perhaps legs of over near 40km without turning in the convergence and getting to 3600m. The goal had been set where RASP indicated the covergence ended. Unfortunately, due to the late hour our final glides left us all a little short of Goal, with Mark getting within 2km. A great day with amazing flying. A shame we could have not got away half an hour earlier and I am sure we would have all made the goal.
Marks Track to Olmedo.
Olmedo bound. Sin Gas, photo by Ralph
Ralph, having done Avila yesterday decided to skip the goal and flew all the way back to Piedrahita for a 110km Out and return. The rest stuck with the declared goal, landing at Avila and returning by bus for an evening soar…about the time Ralph arrived by air.
Our airport run day, but a few flew, with Ralph landing at the Avila Goal.
Yesterday,
with a clear convergence set up to the NE we set a declared goal at Medina del Campo. From quite early decent Cu was setting up along the convergence, with initially a bit of a blue gap from the P N mountain across the Valley. After gaining around 2600 we moved down the ridge and on gaining around 2800 made for the beginning of the convergence induced cloud street starting a little beyond the Long Bar. We were soon at the base around 3200m and the rest of the flight was reasonably simple.
Most of our group were well along the track with SinGas landing 6km short.
Personal bests were:
Anton (Factor) 103Km declared goal
Steve N(Mentor3), 80km
Pete (Mentor3)72km
Chris (Iota)79km
Melle(Buzz( 80km (his 2nd PB of the week, stopping only because he needed a pee)
The Goal group and SinGas(6km short) at Medina del Campo
Mark’s track to Goal
Excellent condtions with climbs over 3000m but quite towering Cu. We had almost the whole group together as we exited the valley on the Salamanca road bordering the towering Cu. With quite fast conditions we were soon at the 40km mark but unfortunatel the line of convergence was really getting big and we had to abandon our goal flight to land. Nevertheless, some excellent flying was had.
Climbs to 3000m+ today with light NE initially but some large Cu. We made our way 42km to the North of PN to Alba de Tormes then made it a little more than half way home but were prevented from going the whole way by a SW wind coming in. A really great day.
A fantastic day with a light NE. We initially were to go to Avila and back, but on crossing to other side of Pass the E was stronger than anticipated so we flew back then off to the NW, some 33km for the farthest, then back to Piedrahita. With turnpoints not far off 100km flat Triangle. Strong climbs to over 3000m and excellent Cu. Very close to a perfect soaring day!
A great day with a record 15 of our pilots over the Pass. We set a declared goal at Avila and an option for a return to Poveda (just before the Pass at around 80km). 7 made the Avila goal including Pete and Melle for their new PBs. Sin Gas was the only one who made the return, which he did very quickly landing at Poveda. Back in time for a nice evening flight as well.
A reasonable forecast but the wind never came onto PN so we went to the spine back some 15KM NW of Piedrahita. Magnus made the new site record last week from the south side. (now named Mount Magnus). This time is was Mike Thomas who escaped from the North side making it to near Peñaranda de Bracamonte. the first XC was made from here by Ana, also present yesterday. The north face is now names Mount Thomas…I guess until his record is eclipsed.
All in all a very nice week with good xc conditons every day this week and a nice 136km goal fight on the Tuesday. the week ahead looks good. Our evening meal cooked by Puri at our house last night and a picture of Mike leaving his landing field.
Mike T
Dinner on Saturday