February

17/2/2026   Park Fell NNW to N

Sunny ... but cold and snowy underfoot.  You know how it is ... it takes a bit of effort. Sack on, one foot forward, then  two and you start walking without a lot of convicition. The further I committed the warmer I became and soon I was through the gate onto the lower fell. Following on a few hundred  metres behind was Rob and Alan.   As the VERY light wind was on the NW face I skirted across at the second step, determined  not to carry any higher. At this stage it didn't seem any more than a lazy gamble.

I laid out, the wind remain light, re attached my glider, didn't quite get it right and ended up with a speed bar line twisted through a riser. It flew fine, just with no speed bar.  The lessons were there with  three aborted launches as the glider twisted ... as I could see no knots I just carried on and hoped.

Despite a light wind, a mere 8kph,  there was surprisingly good lift and I soon joined Rob and Alan who had taken off just below the top. What followed was 30 - 40 minutes of nice, smooth soaring until the cold seaped into my feet and we went and landed.  The revelation has been the full face with visor, my face and head remained warm. pulling down the visor is amazing, like stepping out of the wind.

After packing we wandered back to the Station Inn for coffee by a nice fire.

Stills LINK