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 August.  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 track 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 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 Wether. landing the wrong side of the barbed fence below the road near the Wether 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. 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 off 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.