October

3/10/26    Hawes Round (NCS H&F)

My first chance to get out for three weeks - the last being the Fairfield Horseshoe H&F in mid September.  The day looked good ... as it was on many sites across the north when the wind settled. But as Pete Logan and I met up around midday it was very much on the windier side and possibly blown out in the Dales. We deliberated for some time, nearly changed plans,  until first one, then up to three gliders  appeared over Wether.  So ... with a - What the hell! We parked  and set off up the Hawes Round H&F task. The new winter H&F league had only opened days before on the 1st.

With all instruments set up and logging/tracking  locked in we were off.  After 300m we split - Pete towards Gale and a path up the fell to TP1; whilst I continued up the Cam road track and a different approach to TP1. Which would be faster? I was able to tag TP1 about 10 minutes ahead of Pete on a route I'd recommend, and continue on to a good launch point near Ten End. However, it was very windy - I briefly considered going lower, but in the end carried on a short dstance and waited for Pete. 

We thought briefly about the options, before  deciding to carry on for 500m to see if the wind would ease and we got into a bit of wind shadow.  Eventually it seemed doable, but certainly windy! Pete got out his wing, I followed more slowly with the excuse of being the video man.  Pete launched ... he handled it well despite the wind trying to master him (see video).  Then he was off up the ridge towards TP2.

I was all prepared to go when two motorcycles roared up ... and my lines were across the track. Some hurried line  looping as they arrived, stopped and asked if I was OK. Yes ... thanks - could you just move on please you're both in my way and I don't need a crowd for this take off. They roared off. Alone again.

Having seen Pete's gymnastics I opted to go 20' higher to avoid a steep bank. In the end the take off was straightforward. The air proved remarkably smooth - penetration OK and I soon tagged TP2 (where I think Stef was laying out).  Back down the ridge and the search for any thermal to enable me to get over to Wether. I'd seen Pete scoot low over the top and land by the fell road to Dodd - I wanted to avoid that walk.  After a while I got a sort of climb, but three turns committed me to going ... I still felt too low and  with the ground behind sinking away I met a lot of sink, but thankfully no rotor.

I failed by about 100' to make the Wether ridge. landing the wrong side of the barbed fence below the road near the Wether entrance track.  For a while I considered re launching - Pete passed by on foot on the road and took a photo. A double  barbed wire fence lay between me and an easy launch at the entrance to Wether. But I could easily see a ripped wing if I tried to negotiate it in wind. So I packed and walked the short distance to tag TP3 before returning to Wether. By this time Pete had headed out towards TP 4 and then upwind to goal.

I laid out in a nice breeze and joined one other wing that had taken off in the usual place. The rest was very smooth pleasant flying. I tagged TP4, gained a little height and set off upwind towards goal.  Despite it being into wind it proved quite straightforward and I arrived with about 200' to spare and a nice landing by the car.

Later, Pete and I watched Bud Patterson fly into Hawes from Black Combe (74k) .... a remarkable flight for October. Pete collected him before beers in Hawes and a very convoluted 2hr drive with Bud to Kendal (the Garsdale road was closed near Sedbergh  - big steel gates) - so drive back and down Dentdale. 

An enjoyable day out.

17/10/2026   Holme Knott 

It looked like the Dales could be blown out, or at least not very pleasant.  I thought the best chance was the north Lakes, where the problem could be too light - but I didn't fancy the long drive on my own for not that much reward.  A more local compromise became the order of the day.

I drove to Barkin with a view to flying the NE bowl. At the parking it was already windy and a bit off to the north. I didn't hang around long as the plan changed to Holme Knott - or more specficically to give the NE face that runs up the side of Dentdale a try.  There was no wind at the parking and only hints on the walk up, but as I neared the top it really kicked in. As expected it was just a tadge too far off to the N/NNE ... but as my plan was to walk along to a NE take off I wasn't too fussed.

I found an excellent grassy take but the gusts were now quite strong, 16 - 20 mph so a bit of should I/shouldn't I ensued. Never quite so clear when you're on your own.  Then it eased a bit so I geared up and took off which turned out easy enough. The lift was plentiful - just head out, go up and the peneration seemed fine with a decent forward speed.  The plan was to head towards the Barkin Bowl and explore the ridge. In the end I got about halfway until it got quite spicy, so I returned to the much smoother air in front of take off. Courage rebuilt I set off again and managed to get a bit further. it wasn't bad ... just I felt rather uncomfortable being the lone flier.

After a spell soaring near take I headed back to the car - mostly downwind by now.  I expected it to be a lot lighter lower down, but it was still fairly strong. In the end I landed smoothly next to the car and then it was windless for a spell.  That was the hallmark of the day .... OK then windy, then OK. A bit off putting in winter air.

At least now I know a local N/NNE/NE option that does work OK.

LINK  (very few video clips)

31st October (Halloween)   Stags Fell

Not a Halloween horror show ... but I was expecting more.  Friday had delivered, today didn't in terms of flying. but it was mighty spectacular watching the valley fog roll in from the east and blanket out the whole valley.

I was first on the hill, the wind was very light, but on the slope and I expected it to improve ... it did slightly, then slunk away as the valley slowly filled from the east. The only action was a passing paramotor who came for a look. I recall those days when using power meant you could get into some great positions above the cloudscapes.  After an hour sitting around Tom arrived. So ... what to do? Options were a bit limited judging by the SM messages. 

I suggested I fly off the top, Tom video and try and get some pictures against the cloud bank. His phone and footage is always tops. So we walked higher, but I wasn't sure about how good an idea it was as there were hints of the wind going katabatic and that was not a launch I fancied.  Whilst laying out I felt that there were occasional moments where it was possible ... then into the harness followed by a five minute wait ..GO! Turned out OK ... a bit less pressure in the port wing but that soon sorted as I ran down the slope.

Initially I'd intended to go out into the valley, over the cloud then back west to land, but it filled in quickly and being thick to  ground level I opted to use a pasture (a rather shitty one I discovered). It was going to be fast ... so uphill it was.

Pack .... walk back up to the car. Hang around with four gliders visible  on the hill ... and the wind seemed a lot better. Tom unpacked ... another walk up. There was more wind .... but still not really enough. Another launch followed by the buggee releasing from my foot and a quick landing on the shelf. Ball and carry up again ... even less wind now. I flew down and packed, it was pub time.  A chat with a nice young guy (Jake) and his girlfriend who forwarded some picture they had taken ... some in the youtube video. Thanks Jake.

VIDEO LINK     I usually only do stills but whilst waiting for the Sunday clag to lift I did stitched some video and stills together.