The forecast was for an epic day to  Arcones but the weather forecast was wrong with the W winds which were light so the N  came in after the Pass.   Only Bart and Denis went over and Bart valiantly pushed on for his PB with a flight of 50km to just short of Avila.

The rest of us turned around at the Pass and flew around the Piedrahita valley.  Good climbs to 3000m, so that bit of the forecast was right.

Here is a Pic of  Fred on our way to the Pass when all is going well and we have yet to come up against the N wind.

Fred on route

Still under the influence of the potent Azores bigh pressure but with a head low  forming in the SE of the Peninsula.  Today an increase in the wind strength from the SW.  Light S wind at Peña Negra at 8.30am.  Good probability that it will come onto the hill, though at take of level the forecast wind is c 15 to 20km hr and at 3000m 30 to 40km/hr.

An shallow  inversion around 2600m at 12 mid day, though less marked than yesterday.  Trigger temperature at midday c30ºC.  Possible climbs to near 3800m later in the day.   The winds will be a little more NW at Avila,  but this, if the forecast is correct is a Open distance or a defined task along an axis: going out and with no fiddly turn points due to wind strength and poor base and climbs early on.

1pm

12

1500

1800

winds at 2400 and track for analysis

Conditions along track over time

The cold front has slide off to the NE  and today we have a more normal situation for flying at this time of year.  Much lighter winds and almost certainly on at Peña Negra.

Trigger temperature at 12 is 30ºC with good quality climbs but an inversion around 2600m.  The light  SW winds will move around more to the NW in lower levels as the day progresses.  By 1500 the inversion should rise to 3000m and by late afternoon climbs to 3800 m should be possible.

Blue convergence likely in the Ambles Valley.  Also some cirrus present occasionally throughout the day.

Possible task routes.

The westerly components suggest a flight towards Avila.  There is likely to be N wind on the ground at Avila, though coming back beyond Muñogalindo will be difficult early in the day.  I would suggest the classic task to Arcones or similar for the day.

1pm

1200

1500

1900

winds at 2400

conditions along track over time

Once again we have a day with strong wind.  At 8am the wind at take off is along the slope from the west rather than behind, so it is likely that by mid day the wind will be onto Peña Negra.  However, the forecast wind strength will likely be to strong to fly.  At midday there is a  small inversion at 2600, but by 1500 this rises to over 300m.  Climbs tooter 4000m with blue thermals.

Any task would have to be down wind.

1pm

1200

1500

Wind at 1800m and track

Conditions along track over time

Not looking too favourable for paragliding according to the forecast due to the strong SW.  40km/hr at take off level and unto 60km/hr at 3000m,
There is heat low over the Peninsula and top temperatures 40ºC.  The forecast needs to be a long way off to make this OK for a safe enjoyable pg day.   tomorrow the winds seem finally set to move to the W and NW for the week which should get things closer to back to normal for the time of year.

1pm

1500

wind at top of lift along track at 1500

conditions along a downwind track and data over time

Here is my caricature of Mark waiting at La Lastra one one of the many days there last week.

Mark Parnaby

Airport trip for me, but 100km race to goal and success for the  Iberian Open from Peña Negra.  At last the wind back on PN.  Just a quick sled ride for the newly arrived.

A  quick colour sketch of Bruce

Bruce

On the local forecasts we have  a lot less wind, however looking at the Skew T it is still borderline for  safe paragliding.  A bit more West so a chance of it coming onto Peña Negra.  We will go early to Lastra again.  Mainly blue climbs to over 3000m with a 20-25km/hr wind at t.o level.

1pm

skew 1500

track downwind over time

Our intrepid héros for the X Alps.  Steve Nash, every inch cut to the mould of a classic British hero. His Batman Richard Bungay, cut in to a rather different style.

Steve Nash. Knasher

Richard Bungay