May

1/5/2026   Semerwater (SE)

Most of J36 went to Whinfell, but it seemed too easterly, too strong and with a poor rasp. The other consideration was wave ... which was very evident as I drove over to Hawes. I stopped on the outskirts and could just see a glider (Paul Rowntree), not doing especially well, but staying up. It had been windy in Ingleton, very windy at Ribblehead, but OK in Hawes ... I didn't expect many at Semer so was surprised to see many vehicles parked, but only Paul airborne.

Initially I set up on the lower shoulder, before the wall (laziness) ... it had seemed just about OK there but the wind dropped further to quite light. I gave it 10 minutes then decided to get a bundled glider over the wall which went easier than expected. By this time four others had launched. It was still light (ish) but gliders were doing OK and obviously getting into the wave.  Geoff C arrived and after exchanging a few words he carried on to the main encampment and I launched.  Others I noted later were laid out on the very top.

By the time I had made only half a beat I was 150' up and the wind hit, it was strong and on the rough side. In the first 10 minutes my xctrack thought I'd lamded as it registered zero forward speed.  Other gilders were doing well, one especially must have been approaching 6000'.  I pushed forward in variable  lift, sometimes it felt OK, at other times wierd with the glider yawing and always on the verge of something nasty. However, despite being uncomfortable it never even batted a tip.  I guess I was the weak link.

Eventually, like others who were mostly above me, I headed for a big cloud that seemed a mix of thermal and wave. In front of Addleborough I hit a strong climb, now usually (a brave man would core this to the heavens) ... but it was both strong and rough so at 3'100 I decide to try for Nappa. I also had one other consideration ... on take off I noticed my vario was down to 10%  ... this was strange as I usually have everything topped up. Suddenly I had no vario. Anyway the Nappa  idea didn't last long as the wind seemed to have too much east so I then decided enough was enough and headed back .... at speed going west.   The sink was strong and persistent and there was no way to get back to the cars. Instead I tracked along the Cam road to a nice  landing in almost nil wind. Moments after landing Richard M called to check on me  .... a nice thought. Thanks Richard.

A sweaty, but pleasant walk back before meeting Geoff in the Creamery for coffee. Apparently just after I launched the wind increased to 30 - 40kph and all thoughts of aviation were abandoned.  I believe others landed down near Bainbridge.  Sitting outside the Creamery four gliders seemed to be doing OK on Stags, although it appeared windy.