-  July  -

5/7/2024  Grey Scars

Nothing too exciting.  

40 minutes of scratching. Wind mostly on, decent strength but no great lift. Pleasant evening.

8/7/2024   Middle Earth

Despite a promising forecast, including a good RASP, the morning 9am paper run showed significant development, far too early.  The clouds were growing tall and the spread out becoming extensive - especially over the Dales and Bowlands fells.  All of this resulted in continual site and plan changes, with the best sky being to the west ... not in line with RASP, but it seemed the way to go.

John H and I had a few conversations regarding our options. Middle Earth became the favoured site - it was handy, still basking in the sun and the sky there looked far better. It was also, given the light wind  was forecast to back later in the afternoon,  seemed best able to accommodate this.  So .... Middle Earth it was. We met up at the church as the bells struck midday.

Little changed on a warm, leisurely walk in. Being so light we eventually ended up going to the top of the slope.  It was still light,  just odd breezes that felt like it might work - it didn't. We both tried and slope landed. Earlier I'd checked the high tide times for the Bay - 1.34pm, the theory being that it takes about an hour to reach this point in the Lune valley, with the incoming  wedge acting as a trigger.  It's what happens on nearby JB - so why not here. There was an indication of SB clouds near the coast.  At 2.20pm, on cue, things changed and some venom came into the cycles.

John launched first, I followed five minutes later as he began climbing.  This time the air was most definitely buzzing ... in fact scarily so at first and quite a shock. The first bullet struck me within minutes of take off, the glider twisted, tossed and reared, but surprisingly seemed less concerned than I felt. Not even a tip - remarkable. Being close to the ground, only 100' feet agl, I feared the unexpected, but thankfully all remained well. A shift 100m west and the climb became better and much nicer. Soon we were  circling to base (around 4200') with barely even a single beat of the hill.  

The drift was neglible and remained so over the next three hours. The question was where to go next?  The sky and the lack of wind (light SSW) determined this. To the north, over the Howgills, were dark and extensive clouds extending into the Lakes - aaah, so the bridge has set up.  Beyond, to the north and  into the Eden valley, whilst it looked sunny,  were rather broken, unconvincing clouds. Personally, I was wary of making the long crossing under such a  powerful and broad convective line. With  a wave of the hand (radio issues) we opted to follow the front edge to the NW.

We headed towards J37 with a cloud to go for and enough height to reach it. A long, diagonal crossing of the Lune to where I'd got a good climb back in May.  But .... nothing, not even a sniff. We were now not far short of landing. John, slightly higher, headed 100m further south, towards Lily Mere, a small lake, hemmed in by trees, found  a weak climb and began circling. I followed lower, distinctly conscious of the lake, the trees and awkward landings (?)  It began very slow, some searching, but provided a few hundred feet until it became a solid 2m and we were away again. That turned out to be the crux for me .... John's would come an hour later

I'd fallen a little behind and being lower it's never easy to keep track. With very little drift you never go far on a paraglider before needing  another climb - in my case just the other side of the motorway. Easier this  time, I was starting to make more sense of the lift line and how to use it.  To the south, sunny with odd cu's, whilst to the north a solid, dark line  extended into the Eden valley - and in the distance a broad shower line.  We progressed along the south edge of the  convective bridge, passing Whinfell Beacon and into the Lakes - every dark bit working.  Maybe starting to take chances too, as we occasionally pushed out front to explore the odd tempting cu in the blue.

On into the Lakes and  Longsleddale, a long narrow valley - tempting fate at times, even getting low on occasion, but always finding a strong climb back to base (4800'). The wind shifted slightly to SSE but remained  light.  At this point a thought occured - I wonder if I can get back? It was well past 4pm, but the convective line remained strong, well defined and led in fact right back to take off, retreating slightly south as the Bay SB weakened and drew back (Yes, I put this down to the ebbing tide).  Before turning I spotted John - really low!  Right at the head of the valley - he would get out of there on a strong climb and continue towards Yoke, but at the time he seemed doomed!  I set off loosely retracing my route.

Slow, but steady progress took me over the A6 and towards the M6. Getting low again I targeted a good cloud near a shallow moor valley and some windmills. Feeling level with the blades it needed to work - and again it did. Weak at first, considerable searching and then back to base as the climb strengthed with each turn. In fact ... as I was circling slightly north the cloud developed more to the south and its pull increased. Time to do a runner.  With lots of bar I flew due south, west of the M6 for 4k, still climbing, occasionally in surges and always heading for  the blue salvation upwind.  Once clear a 90 degree turn and back towards the Lune valley, more windmills and feeling confident reckoning I was only half a thermal away from making take off. This section into the Lune was very smooth, hands off relaxed - in fact I should have reset the go pro battery. it occasionally does this switch off nonsense.

Back into the Lune valley things again got more feisty. Nothing too bad, but that bit rougher. I took a few turn in a climb I should have persevered with .... but convinced others lay ahead I continued. The plan now was ....OK I can make take off, but not being a declared, I'm free to extend to the south. The next move was towards Three Men, or at least the back of JB. If that worked then however far ... there was now a distinct SSE to come back on.  In fact I only made the SE corner of Barkin, the expected didn't happen and with reducing height I headed back to close.

Landing was interesting - the lower I got the rougher it got and the harder to get down - like the fields were baking and pumping off. One minute a strong headwind, next a tailwind - then a hole and surge upwards. For whatever reason thoughts of the Laragne landing field came to mind. In the end touch-down was easy into a gentle southerly. As I packed that became a steady 10 mph northerly ... and then flat calm again. It was just gone 5.30pm .... over three hours in the air. The air temp reading 25C - that hot?

A very unexpected flight where I really let the sky dictate how and where I flew - and it seemed to work. The only thought afterwards was should I have extended to High Street - then again would I have made it back?  I guess be satisfied with what you're given.

Photo LINK  (only the first outward section before go pro froze)

12/7/2024   Semer (North)   

Are pilots creatures of habit?

Semer (north) seemed pretty nailed on as site for the day, so as I drove over I was pretty confident it was flyable - the only question was how good.  I arrived to find no-one there. which actually wasn't a big surprise.  Given a choice, the north side is way better than the SE face. It's longer, more interesting, has more possibilities to explore .... and boy does it thermal well.  I still stand by my view that it's vastly underated and doesn't even figure on most folks radar.

The low shoulder is an easy take off. As I walked across the wind was on the slope, about 10mph. So without any hanging about I peeled left onto the main face and was soon climbing and heading across to the main edge.  For the first 40 minute it was smooth, relaxed, soaring with the odd bits of something coming through. The sky was 7/8 cover .... little sun to speak of, but the thermals got stronger and more organised meaning I was able to extend the ridge at both ends. Eventually, with no great height, but it being very bouyant, I pushed forward towards the end of Wether. This took me into a sustained period of lift and using bar to counter it somewhat I headed for Hawes. There are two main sections on the north end of Wether I could have used either but in the end didn't need to. I tagged a sector near Hawes and simply cruised back to Semer. All pretty easy.

After an hour and half and needing a Jimmy Riddle I landed on the lower shoulder near the car in a gentle, smooth breeze.  A very pleasant hour and a half. Forgot the go pro ... pity really.  I wish people would take this site more seriously, being about the only true northerly in the Dales, it doesn't have a lot of competition.

13/7/2024  Semer (north)

Not quite a carbon copy of the previous day. Same wind, same direction ....soarable, but without the thermals and some drizzle dodging thrown in. I didn't stay up long.

In retrospect, Park was the better place being drier, brighter and the shower activity far lass

15/7/2024  Cautley

The day started off really nice, warm with blue skies.  By the time Rob, John H and I arrived at Cautley it was overdeveloping in the Dales to our east. Richard Meek had just taken off and was climbing OK ... we set off up with Dave Smart just ahead.  Andy A would join us later - and walk up twice! I found the walk up gruelling, given the heat and humidity ... it wouldn't have been so bad until the wind dropped forcing Rob and I to carry a balled up glider to near the top. The others managed to just catch the wind and soar up the last big section.

A fickle wind then went light and east.  At least it allowed a dive across to the huge cliffs left of the Spout. These sort of worked OK and I was at least able to soar up them with Rob - very impressive. I've never actually soared the cliffs themselves so that was spectacular and made things a bit more worthwhile.

The clouds darkened, the wind dropped to little and we all went down and landed.  A drink in the Royal Barn to end the day.

A few pics LINK

17/7/2024    The Magnet/Whernside WNW

A lovely summer morning, but it took a while for the cloud to clear off Ingleborough and Whernside. Base was never likely to be very high, but given time and the further east we could fly then the better it should get - or at least that's what Mr RASP said.

John H, Rob U and I walked up from Kingsdale, arriving just as Alan and Chris made it from Chapel le Dale.  A nice breeze, on the hill, but rather shaded out front. We soared easily for no more than 15 minutes before the sun struck the lower slopes  and from that point  on the thermals kicked in. My first climb reached base - a modest 3,300'. A look downwind convinced me to go across to the very north end of the hill ... beyond the tarns, where good looking clouds were building, with more beefy one's down track. It's now becoming my favoured route away from the hill.

The climbs were good, solid and strong and the next one didn't look far away. Again I was on my lonesome as the others remained nearer the point.  Reaching base I set off, heading for Wold Fell, spotting gliders on Brant that seemed to be struggling.   Having lost about 800' I was relieved when another good climb arrived and hoisted me back to base - now just under 4000'.  What seemed like way below, I saw the other three gliders scooting into the forestry below the railway line. Two didn't make it out of there, but tenacious Chris did.

Another glide towards Dodd and again a good, solid climb out that took me to 4000' - getting better. The sky was - at least to the next climb, looking OK, but large blue areas were opening up ahead  Into the blue over Semer I had really nothing but a few wisps  to go for - still I had found climbs here before.  Yet again, a solid climb to 4200'. Way below -  in  a horrible place behind Wether I spotted Chris. Whilst I was back in the wispies he had a low level struggle I didn't envy.

I now had something of a dilemma. The south side of Wensleydale, the usual route towards Pen Hill, showed no cloud development. It may produce a thermal out of the blue, but I elected to cross towards Nappa Scar.  Pro's and con's.  There were good clouds over the moors beyond, but it's a long crossing - it also has some airspace to deal with.  I made the crossing, not that high as the ground rose - found strong, but strange, surging thermals that rapidly disappeared - slowly I drifted towards decision point with Bellerby D area approaching and the ground never far below. Initially, my plan had been get another good climb and go through the  Bellerby and Feldom gap. In the end I played safe (for retrieve at least) and took the south side of Bellerby and back into Wensleydale.  Very little thermal came my way, a few birds gave me moments of hope and the best had me thermallng towards the edge of Bellerby with my airspace warning shouting. I didn't wish to transgress as I had done a few years ago, where a single, final turn had me clipping it. 

I knew I was pretty much at last orders as I slid along the tree covered ridges towards Leyburn. Some gulls tempted me .... then buggered off. Just one more climb please - the VoY was starting to look good.  In the end I landed at Wensley RU field (freshly mown that morning a lady told me).   So .... another nearly flight where the hard work seemed behind me and my goal (Stokesley) looked a possibility.

Now the sweet and sour of getting back.  I walked to a bus stop, it said 15.57 so that meant a 35 minute wait in broiling sun. I counted the minutes down and on cue the bus arrived - despite me being very obvious, big sack and sticking out an arm - it didn't stop!  I am getting very Victor Meldrew and rang the bus company. A nice lady (Emma) apologised and said she would have collected me, but was on her motorbike that day. A short, hot walk to another hitching place and within 10 minutes I was being whisked at high speed to my front door in Ingleton.  Lovely guy (Rob) who lived just outside Kirkby Lonsdale and was coming back from a work job near Richmond. A rapid change in fortunes, leaving me thinking the bus would have been the worst option.

So ... all's well that ends well. Super day in the end - except I wanted to fly further.

A few pics LINK

19/7/2024   The Magnet

A head cold meant I hadn't slept well the night before, the oppressive heat didn't help so I wasn't feeling in the mood and rather lethargic to consider flying. That changed by 5pm when on a whim and a pint I decide to just go out someplace handy. The wind had dropped, maybe too much so I had to do the Magnet walk again.

By 6pm I was in the air - wind a tadge off to the south, but just enough to soar in a gust.  at first it was rather scratchy but then got better and in the end I found decent thermals to over 2m/s.  It was OK but nothing to get too excited about.

21/7/2024   Brigsteer

The good Sunday forecast had gone the way of many before.  8/8 cloud and more wind for the afternoon .... but it looked doable and there was no rain forecast. We always have Brigsteer.

It didn't look bad on the way over, Three Men looked OK too ... but less sociable. Brigsteer is more likely to attract company - and you can always sit in the car and parawait - so I brought the Sunday Times.

When I arrived Andy A was already in the air. and Jacob was about to 'send it'. It was a tadge breezy and a further tadge off to the W, but essentially OK ish.  No excuses. I quickly set up, balled to a launch point and in a lull took off fine - however, the battle down the field was unusually fraught - even for here.  Keep it straight, keep it open and  with almost zero forward speed it took some bar to the trees.  It entertained the cows anyway. (They were especially friendly for some reason - usually couldn't care less). After that it was the typically nice, lots of lift, Brigsteer that we enjoy. I had an hour and bit, Jacob was engrossed in the NCS task (which he completed) ... there was plenty of lift to near base although the wind was a bit strong at times. Part way through the flight Westie came up to join us. I contemplated top landing, but it seemed a bit strong and gusty, so used the bottom field and took the walk back up, declining a young woman's quad bike offer.

It was now mid afternoon and Cefn had arrived .... keen and all for coming back later, as were the others.  So ... off to Cefn's for a coffee and to talk about plants, weeds, the difference and patios. Jacob went to put his roast on.

Back on the hill by 5pm, Cefn took off - still breezy ish, Jacob arrived and said the sun would come out - then Westie and shortly after Andy A and And M. Cefn landed and the wind eased and then some - it actually fell on  the lighter side. Despite a bit of scratching we all got onto the main scar and expected just a bit of soaring - then it did the Brigsteer thing, the evening thermals started.  Esentially we had a great spell of lightwind, very smooth, gentle thermalling as we group-crossed the valley. meandered around and then back to Brigsteer whilst we still had the height. All this despite the sun not coming out.

A really good day's flying - I keep forgetting how special Brigsteer is.

I did get a fair bit of video ... but to save work here are just a few stills for flavour LINK 

24/7/2024  Stags

Wednesday had held a lot of promise, but the day arrived with little fanfare.  The forecasts mentioned wind, cloudbase wasn't great and it was due to deteriorate mid afternoon.  It was only right on the last count.  I didn't see the wind being an issue, but otherwise it was just another day .... still by 11am I thought it worth the effort.

Driving over to Stags I still had several options in mind - had Cotterside been available I would have gone there for its better thermals. Stags looked deserted, but Rob U's car was parked up, so I knew they were on  the hill - minutes later Alan O took off and confirmed it flyable.  Quick walk up, quick setup and into the air - by this time to join  lots of others who were mostly  confined to 100' above the ridge.  Rather gusty - surges and not much else. After 30 minutes a good climb came along and took Rob and I to 3600' .... he headed forward, whilst I hung back to watch - then I headed back forward too. Meanwhile Alan B and Steve Gill had left, but found the Swaledale suck.

The second good climb, as I returned  from Humesett, became the big one. I came to it late, but climbed fast to join about five others in a nice wee gaggle ...  and there were three - myself, Tim O and someone else (Andy Butler?).  This stayed solid and eventually we were approaching the Swaledale cut-off. There wasn't really any clouds to speak of ... just a milky top cover,  however, 3 miles north it looked much better - stronger sun on the ground and the first meaty clouds. So - I set off, but the others declined to follow and succumbed to Swaledale. Never worth hanging around over the valley - head for the high to the north.

It was a long glide, not especially sinky, but I arrived under the cloud quite low in West Stonedale. It was touch and go before I had to consider landing. However, it worked a treat and got better with height until I sailed over the Tan Hill Inn at approaching 4000'. Now to the busy, noisy A66 - looking down on the long walk out I did some years ago across these moors.

Reaching the A66 (very fast and straight) - I didn't relish trying the hitch along it! Getting low again and looking at the options it was quite a relief to get a decent climb that improved with height. Before long I had reached base proper and pushed along the side to 5000'. Two things struck me - first the lack of much drift; the wind north of the A66 seemed quite light, maybe only 14kph. The sky ... once clear of cloud, now had some really beefy ones and seemed to be filling in. The latter actually wasn't the case ....once I'd lost 1000' I regretted being a bit too cocky and misjudging the sky - soon I was back in a big blue hole. I should have headed more NE, but mindful of retrieve problems I didn't. I find this area a pig to get out of. 

I should have done better. I landed outside Middleton in Teesdale on the Brough road in almost nil wind. It should be OK for hitching I thought, but sees too little traffic. I was in luck. The third vehicle - a campervan stopped.  I met a lovely couple who drove me all the way back to Hawes (on their way to Settle). I may have bored them with my tour guide impression - but as they were from London you can't help but extolled the virtues of the place you live. A big thankyou to them .... it really makes the day to be able to get back without much fuss. (Except the Mallerstang valley was closed - why do they never tell you this until you're part way down it?)

Met the others outside The Board and Geoff bought me a pint then drove me up to my car. Thanks Geoff. 

A few stills from my video  LINK

28/7/2024 Windbank

Sunday had all the making of a good Dales day, by Dales standards - if you went south it was epic! But who goes south on a decent Dales day?

Chris, John H and I arrived just as the first gliders took off and confirmed it was good - and the sky reinforced that. By the time we arrived on top the A team was high and about to leave - Pete Logan's gentle Lancastrian tones  wafting over the airwaves.  Only a light breeze meant it was a few beats scatching and then find the thermal and up and away. A few slope landed, but in general it wasn't that hard although a thermal fliers day.

Chris and I plugged in a 37k triangle to just cover the 100pt mark - Chris favoured the front route,  I the back, but mine was in and that was that. My QR code got copied across. It's one I've done before and failed on several times too. Not a high base (4200') but if the wind favoured us it should be OK. I have a bad habbit of ditching my plans - this time, whatever the outcome I was determined to stick with it.

We climbed out together and at about 3500' tagged the start off the south end of the ridge. The 12k north. along the ridgeline proved straight forward, with three solid climbs and a good look to the clouds. Finally, over Foxup I took one over the back crossing Yockenthwaite. The clouds had, had a rather anaemic towards the next turnpoint, but now looked better - hence holding off on the crossing.  

I tagged TP2 and looked back to see Chris, having crossed a lot lower, getting established further down the ridge. By now I had topped up and was on the way back south towards the tricky crossing to Buckden. I had hoped for a climb beyond Hubberholme, the confluence of three valleys and where I'd found them before - but little showed itself.  So on to Buckden and with scant height.

I arrived low in a gully head above the main path, scratched around trying to find any windward slope and at times only 40' above waving walkers.  To be honest it looked a bit grim for my chances.  I few surges, a few turns that provides very little, but did allow me to get onto the shallow top ridge. TP3 was way over the back and seemed light years away at this stage. A move further S, and even further away took me to the bigger bowl of Buckden. I skirted it finding little, came part way back before deciding to head out for a decent cloud. 

And it worked!

The climb took me back towards TP3 which I tagged at 4000' before turning to head back.  The real problems now became the increase in wind strength (not too bad), but  it seemed almost due S ... probably SSW.  I didn't think I'd make the front ridge of Buckden so opted to cross the 4k of moors towards Whernside and cut the corner. I didn't give much for my chances, until three small clouds appeared enroute.  With plenty of bar and only turning once I crept across the moors, over a deep, steep sided valley and emerged above a limestone edge I hoped would be the saviour of the day.  That was all I need, just one more half decent climb to get fully onto Whernside. A search and a wait provide nothing - so onto Whernside  ... but low!  I made the first gully ... the one before Hags Dyke, my main target. It was narrow, windy and across the slope - and potentially rotory. Being sensible (?) ... and the sky not looking great, I headed down the gully side towards Kettlewell to a tseep grassy slope landing.

So ... that was it, nearly, but not quite. It's always difficult to 'almost' make and speculate on what could have been done differently, or imagine that last climb that didn't appear - or if the wind had been a SW to W and the slopes had worked. Next time maybe.

A fast hitch back to my car and a check on the others. John H ended up near Hawes.

Met up with Chris at Buckden, a pint in the Falcon at Arrncliffe and back in time for tea.

LINK   (Very few photos - too busy after TP2)

29/7/2024   Three Men

A pleasant hour boating about with the main intention being to try out a new action cam - of the el cheapo type.

Started a bit light and scratchy after the wind of the day had died down. After 15 minutes it got better with some light thermals and a touch of sun on the ground.  Present ... Rob, Tom and at the end Geoff arrived with a micro glider for small people in a rush. After landing we retreated to Tom's place to drink his beer, admire the gardens and the recent bovine invasion.

Photo LINK (The camera? First try. I've since changed the setting to a higher res and frame plus putting on the EIS and altering the colour balance. Really - nothing beats a Go Pro)

30/7/2024  Dodd Fell 

Lots of us went to Dodd ... about three car loads. Despite a good rasp it really didn't look too inspiring, and that lasted right up to take off .... and beyond. The wind was on the light side so we went up to the higher take off only to find the wind was off to the south - well off at times. A couple of gliders a few hundred metres along had soared, but now experienced the same problems we had and couldn't stay up. Overhead the sky was 7/8 cloud with odd sunny patches off to the north. Finally, without too much waiting the wind came on and it was game on.

At this stage it didn't look xc able, however I set a goal at Northallerton and remarked to Geoff that I'd be more than happy to make it, given the day. I was fairly soon up at base - a measely 3200' asl. It wasn't hard to stay high - it just didn't seem that high. Eventually, I did go over the back really just hoping for a thermal and if not  - there was always Wether.

I ended up soaring Wether with a gang of others, some had take off there - others flew across from Dodd. Now Wether isn't my favourite site and was today even less so. The wind was well off to the south and quite fresh.   The saving grace was I didn't have to hang about long before  myself and Stevie Gill headed over the back - at base, but that is relative.   As the climbed topped out at 3400' (getting better) - Steve went one way, I went another.  ( At this point something quite scary occurred. Suddenly, we had the sounds of jets - at least two, maybe more. The noise was terrific and seemed really close - but despite scanning around - it was quite murky at base, I saw nothing. It went on for a while, I threw in a turn to look around, but still nothing, but boy was it loud). Steve's choice was the bump on the far side of Semer, that Chris had been stuck on a few weeks back - and I didn't want to be there. So .... I squeaked onto Addleborough - low, just level with the top.

Over the next 40 minutes I had ample time to inspect it, the crag top, the fence and the very short beat; only about 40m that was working. You really don't want to go there - and I can see why no one with any sense does. During my time there I noted a few fly past into the valley and land, Geoff scoot overhead not that far above me and Stevie Gill managed to get away from his bump.  Time passed. As clouds approached I pushed out front to connect, found odd surges of lift but nothing substantial. On about the sixth attempt along came a solid climb and I got away from my Addleborough prison. 

The climb was good, solid and went to 3800' (even better) and downwind now looked OK too. Better still ... Tim O appeared up wind, low, but climbing. So - I joined his climb.  Then things went wrong again. I headed (mistake) to a cloud over the valley that promptly fell apart. Meanwhile I spotted Tim up Coverdale and wished I'd gone that way - the wind was now more W and the clouds looked better there - I had a blue hole and only a bag full of hopes.

Next stop was to try the end of Pen Hill - it's done me favours in the past, but not today. A few nearly's that didn't ... and I was heading down to a landing at Wensley.  I'm getting quite familiar with that place and the pub. Another wait for the 15.57 bus - that again let me down by not turning up. A  two hundred yard walk to my new 'favourite' hitching place and within 20 minutes I was enroute back to my door courtesey of an Ingleton local. We collected John H at Hawes.   These missed buses are turning out a blessing in disguise.

Rather an odd day. It started out not looking at all good, then improved and yet again with most of the graft done and probably my luck used up it didn't happen. Annoyingly the big, blue, Leyburn hole filled in nicely as I packed away.  I tried not to look.

A few stills, after this I'll be going back to the Go Pro LINK