Noon

Section downwind from Lastra

With the depression in the Atlantic nearer and nearer the winds from the SW will be picking up by the end of the day and we will see more Cirruss.  Perhpas less Cu today and the winds early on may be acceptable.  Thermal tops at end of day around 10,000ft but an in version at near 8,000ft will mostly keep us below that level.  This is  a difficult forecast.  However, this week the Joint Services group really have made the most of a mixed bag of mediocre weather and have so far flown every day and we have seen a number of XC PBs.  Hopefully we can salvage something from today as well.

What Happened?

Well, we did get to fly at Lastra, with a take off before 12am in light wind with good thermal cycles, though only to 2200m. Ian was first over the back, and finally all did so, but for Peter, who landed out front (also Jerry and Oli, but who got away on the second attempt).  Modest XCs, with Ali the best with a home run back to Piedrahita.

The end of a good week, our first with the Joint Services, and managing to fly every day.

Such a feat will be very difficult in the week to come with tropical storm Nadine affecting us for the next few days.

1500hrs 26ºC

1800hrs 26ºC

Downwind from Lastra

Miodnight tonight

The depression to the West in the Atlantic is deepening and  sending us upper level SW flow which will begin to come down over today and the weekend.  More unstable than yesterday with upper level instability increasing over the day so we can imagine that Cbs are more likely (rather than the overgrown congestus of  yesterday).  The bigest problem will be the strong wind launch at take off at Lastra.

(Tracker 5 out again due to switch problem.  Tracker Piedrahita12 now up and running with my name today)

What Happened?

Too windy early on and after a trip to Salamanca for some and a motorbike ride to the river for others, we went to Lastra and had a very satisfactory evening soar,  some making it back to Santiago (some 5km from Piedrahita).

0000

1500 26ºC

1500 28ºC

Downwind from Lastra

3 day forecast

Still a low pressure situation but pressure rising slowly and an inversion growing which should cap overdevelopement at the end of day. SW winds of 10-15km/hr and thermall tops and Cu around 10,000ft. Weak thermals at expected max of around 26ºC, though will improve at lot at 28ºC.

Reasonalbe XC potential if we are flying into the plains away from mountain Cu development. We will probably go to Lastra (S site) for an earlier launch with stronger climbs and a better route to the flatlands.

What Happened?

Lastra and the usual sporty start. All over the back and most with a second climb but with deteriorating conditions (congestus building to right and left of track. After around 25km the overdevelopment becoming extensive so we landed and the remote villages in the flatlands to the North. A PB for Peter (14km) and another smooth lifty fligth and over the back experience in the evening.

0000

1500 hrs, 26ºC

Barco and return/time

Low pressure (heat low formed over central Spain) and the passage of a cold front southwards (though mainly to the East of us) will complicate the day. Development of large cumulus clouds and possibly Cbs (though more likely to E of us). We should get reasonable soaring conditions with the possiblility of a modest XC if conditions do not deteriorate. Less Cirruss so the day should get going a little sooner which we should take advantage of if we expect Congestus/Cbs later in the afternoon.

Once again a mediocre forecast and far from Epic, but so far this week we have been doing quite well with the poor conditions served up. Lets hope today is the same.

1200

8.45

A band of nimbostratus comming in from the SW. The trace show limited posibilities of CBs, but winds a bit strong(and wet) for this

morning

. After it goes through we should have lighter and more N winds leaving us with a hope for flying late this afternoon.

3 day forecast

Rain at 9am , but sky clear by 11am. Weakish climbs with W to NW wind. Most of us down at the Cemetery area but Mick and Alistair were first to arrive and both crossed. Mick down at Muñana at 30km and Alistair to the north of Avila landing to avoid overdevelopement.

0000

Section to Segovia/time/conditions

An approaching low pressure system and associated warm front is approaching from the south west which will lead to thickening upper level clouds as the day progresses. With top temperature of 29ºC we still should get potential thermal tops to 10,500ft, with Cu possibly forming in convergence areas and parts of the mountain at c11.600ft. Weak thermal climbs to do shading and SW winds or around 15-20km/hr.

What can we do? A slow day but still posibilities for a flight to Avila. Direction is also good to continue beyond towards Segovia,al though the thermal day is unlikely long enough.

What Happened?

Although we had a lot of cirrus and alto startus and Alto cumulus lenticularis shadowing out the sun we still had some fantastic smooth climbs to near 10,000ft. Although the sky looked windy with the lenticulars that was really down to the approaching warm front with wind in the Ambles valley very light. Only Oliver, Alister, Mick and myself escaped the Pass. Mick and Oliver made their PBs with around the 70km mark.

The evening flight was a bit late with near catabatic conditions, only Iain managing a bit of a climb.

2nd place for Xebi Bonet and 3 rd for Russell Ogden in the Europeans. I am very happy for them both and the Spanish team with their best ever result , 2 nd.

0000

1500

Downwind to NNE from Lastra

PN to Segovia

A good XC paragliding day though conditions not really getting going untill 2pm when we will get thermal tops (blue) to around 3000m. Good chance for long flight towards Segovia from PN or towards Miranda from Lastra. Choice of take off is difficult as although it is likely that the wind will come onto PN…if it does not?

What Happened?

A superb PG day with light winds and great climbs. I went over the Pass but found an east wind so fley back and did a circuit of the valley with Bill and Antoon. Wim, Luc and Geert got their PB altitude climbs and carried onto Avila (though Wim laned near Muñana after a big tuck.

Great evening conditions with nice glass off.

0000

1500

To Barco

3 day

Once again a strong inversion around 2100m, but with top temperatures higher than yesterday so slightly higher thermal heights. Should be sufficient and safe enough for a modest XC to the West towards Barco de Avila.

What Happened?

A nice day with Wim , Geert, Antoon, Luc, myself and Ed (PB) in Barco. Bill just short in San Lorenzo. Nice evening conditions but finishing soon.

0000 Thurs/Friday

1500 22ºC

PN to Barco

3 day forecast

Not a brilliant day with a strong inversion a few hundred metres above take off.  Cool NE  after the cold front and around 20km/hr of NE wind.  OK for a 20km flight to Barco, but little else.

What Happened?

A bit too much wind for comfort, so a  cultural visit to Salamanca.