March

15/3/25     Great Coum

Not the hoped for day.

Being a bit late I took the easier (or at least closer option) ... it actually proved a lot tougher than expected in the end.  The over-development stayed just off to the east, the cu's were building nicely, but the wind seemed quite off to the north and on the light side. Still ... pretty much what I expected on the long walk in, yet I hoped the bowl would prove to be OK. 

As I crested the lower, south end of the bowl I was pleased to find a fair breeze ... more than enough to soar, just too far off to the north. Thinking it might be just spilling out of the bowl edges I took off - hoping.  A couple of beats showed there was only a short section working and I landed back where I took off. A second try from 50' higher proved just as unsatisfactory.  By now the sun had come out and the sky looked good - another walk up 100' where the wind now seemed to be more on.

It seemed like things had improved and the next flight was a lot better and I was even able to fly over to the north end.   Then, as the wind seemed to be dropping, I top landed.  It was now too light to soar, but annoying on the hill. I gave it a bit of a sunbathe but things didn't improve. So .... it became a 'What the hell' - fly out and see if anything happens, although I thought the odds quite low.

And that was it  .... out and down, down, down, with barely a beep; folowed by a walk back up the road to the car.

16/3/2025  Carrock Fell

I took the long drive up to Carrock. The low cloud, light showers and more wind put the Dales out.

Although the sun didn't come out it was pleasant enough, easy smooth soaring until my fingers got cold after an hour.

I then went home to experience the joys of the winter vomiting bug. Interesting night!

A few snaps  LINK

19/3/2025  Cotterside

A much better excursion  than expected.  A lovely day to be out with wall to wall blue skies, light winds, but a poor RASP. We felt flying was possible ... although the two hours of afternoon thermals came as a welcome surprise. All the way to 3500'.

I met up with Joseph and several others in the Ceamery, a bit of a chat on where to go and after sorting the cars we set off for Cotterside - a new site for most.  The wind was forecast to veer from SE to SW so we were hopeful,  despite the cross slope wind on the walk up. 

On take off we had an hour's wait, before it showed signs of coming more onto the hill. It was rather gusty at times, then quiet spells, then another blow. I hopped the wall, landed walked up a few feet as Joseph showed it was now working OK as he sailed past at increasing height. Later the others would follow with more ease than I had shown,

The next two hours was smooth soaring at height with regular thermals - made easier to find given the small gaggle of gliders we had. The climbs were decent, fairly solid, but never went above 3500' as they met the inversion. It was tempting to set off down the valley, but as I had the car keys it seemed a bit selfish. Finally, having had our fill we went down and landed.

A beer in the Board after meeting up with Liam (who had flown Stags). A good day out, warm, good company and very enjoyable.

A few video stills LINK

31/3/25   Windbank

Above: Stephen  Craven landing at the 'new' long walk up parking.

No sun, no wind and little hope. And so it proved.

One short, mid height landing on the shoulder ... pack and  carry back up as the sky looked better and one glider was maintaining in the middle of the valley. Second flight, wind light and off to the north ... any sun we had has now  gone.  A 10 minute ride slowly to the bottom and into a light southerly wind. 

Nothing else to say.