A cooler day with the wind finally coming around to the PN take off.  This morning at 9am light W, though we can expect possibly even NE by the afternoon.

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XC section to Segovia

Inversions at 2600 m and c3100m.  Not really getting going untill around 2pm.  At 10.30am the wind is still cross over the back (SW).  On such a day it really should straighten up and come onto PN.

It would be feasible to fly at Lastra early on as on the other days, though with a forcast like we have it would  normally come onto PN.  However, if it does not!

Quite fierce winds towards the top of the climbs and one can imagine this will be a bit turbulent with some nice shear layers.

Most of the days climbs will not go above 2700m , with the occasional convergence climb to around 3000m so airspace will not be a big issue if we get beyond Avila.

What Happened

Plenty of flying, but many of us bombing early at the cemetery and quarry area.  Johan, Marshal and Christian made it over on the first attempt and David later in the afternoon.

Tracks. Johan in Red 47.5km PB

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A weak cold front going through which is considerably weakened by the high pressure at surface level.  25-30km/hr at 1500m, 65-85km/hr at 3000m.

Tomorrow, and feasibly late this evening the winds should lighten and move more to the N.

No attempt at flying this morning, but we will keep watch to see if we can sneak an evening soar in at c8pm+

Another difficult day, more so than yesterday which had forecast winds at 20km/hr at flying levels and our main worry was the launch wind speed.  Today the wind near 3000m is near 45 knots.  It is very unlikely to be safe to fly.

There is a  heat wave coming up from Africa which often gives us quite windy and usually poor soaring conditions.  An inversion at 2600m and 3200m.   If the temperature reaches 36ºC we may have clouds in the flatlands at 5100m.

Once again poor thermic conditions until later in the afternoon.  We will Brief at 11.30 am to see the wind conditions in the Piedrahita valley before making a decision to go to look at it at Lastra.  If the forecast is to be believed then safe paragliding is not possible.  Tomorrow is also poor, though Saturday at this stage looks OK.

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x section of yesterdays route.  A bit more wind today!

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XC secgtion to NE over time

XC section temp

xc section thermal index

Wind strong enough to prevent it from comming on to PN so we will go early to La Lastra take off.

Trigger temp is around 31ºC, higer than previous days, so we may also expect a later start of decent  thermals; probably after 2pm.  Inversion only at 3200, so if temp goes high enough themal quality should be good.  However, Lastra is likely to get strong early, so we may have to go early to ensure a safe take off.

As is often the case these conditions offer huge potential, but also it will be hard to stay up early on and also the take off is normally turbulent.  There is wind in the Piedrahita valley from 8am which is generally a bad sign and the wind maybe more than forecast.

Potential to go over 200km without airspace altitude problems.  See map below  (though a bit confusing I will explain at the Briefing at 10.15am

Airspace route

What Happened

Qutie windy at Lastra and only Karsten, Gus and Christian flew early on (also Marshall and Tom in the evening).  Great flights by Karsten and Gus both with over 100km.

Karsten and Gus

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Possible . XC sec

Section over time of route

A very nice paragliding day with light winds.  Southerly but should come onto Peña Negra.  Local effecrts may make it more NE than apparent on the Skew T, so if it is scratchy early on the first leg maybe best towards Barco.  A route towards the N would be best with a return.

An inversion around 2700 and another just over 3000m.

There are many route possibilities, but we should review them when in the air.

Briefing at 11.20am.

We need to cover flights to the West and airspace along there plus a few of the common errors made when flying in that direction……just in case we go that way.

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X section snd winds at top of lift

X section to Segovia over time

A day typical of summer with high pressure and relatively light W(SW) winds.  An inversion at 2600m, with potential thermal tops around 3000m if we get 30ºC.  Blue convergence in the Avila Valley.  Good thermal quality.  Valley trigger temperature 23ºC

What Happened

Nice conditions but limited to around 2600m.  Avila for Catherine and Near Villacasting for Nelson and Christian.  TwoXC  attempts for  most of the others.

Nelson, Catherine and Christian

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xc section to Segovia

The wind at PN is starting to come on around 10am and does not look strong.  The forecast winds are on the high side, but should be within safe limits early on.  A good XC day for flying towards Segovia.  Expect convergence and some build up of congestus along that, especially in the Ambles valley.

Be wary of crossing the Pass you are not climbing easily above 2400m and the winds are in excess of 20km/hr.

Not brilliant for flying.  SW wind and some rain, though maybe at the end of the day the wind will veer to NW so we can fly at PN at the end of the day.

It was tricky for Frank, Cary and Sophia to get to Avila 60 years ago as well.  A titanic struggle…..a bit like ours!

Frank, Cary and Sophia trying to get to Avila

1pm

A weak cold front will go through today bringing  a little more instability.  The winds once again from the SW and probably too strong for decent safe paragliding.  Cloud likely to form around 3100m  and perhaps congestus in the convergence.

Another more active cold front tomorrow, the winds going more NW for more typical  and good soaring XC conditions next week.

What Happened

Pretty strong at Lastra and only Karsten flew.  A good flight in some very powerful conditions

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