September
5/6 Sept 2025
X Dales element: Sandwiched between two low pressure systems, with a brief ridge passing through we got lucky. Two days of warm and mostly sunny weather only spoilt by the strong wind on the hills. In order to maximise the opportunities the same task stood for both days with competitors deciding not just the day, but the also route. It could be attempted N to S, or S to N .... and opinions varied. We also increased the window from 9 - 2pm to allow the wind the chance to drop as it had done on previous days.
My own experience.
Whilst Chris, Pete and Stef set off about 12.30 going north on the long slog to Little Ingleborough, I opted, very much on a whim at noon, to go the other way and maybe catch them on Little Ingleborough about 4pm. The forecast wind drop onto a soarable ridge at that point meant they could fly to their goal, tagging the final three cylinders, whilst I had a chance of getting to within the final TP before having to walk. My possibly flawed thinking was, in the time stakes that I had to buy some time - hence I left Ribblehead at 1.30pm - an hour later and rather pushing it. However, even later was Mark Pinches and James Maxwell who set off on my tail almost an hour behind me.
It was pleasant walking weather and I made good progress despite a heavy sack and limited water supply. Along the ridge walk to Ingleborough the wind was mostly on the slope - just way too strong. I tagged Simon's Fell, then Ingleborough summit and set off down to Little Ingleborough still feeling remarkably strong. The wind at this point - I was in the lee felt quite calm. I kept looking out for the others coming north but saw no sign.
Approaching Little Ingleborough the wind again kicked in ... it was on the WSW slope, just way too strong. Waiting didn't seem an option as I figured it would be hours before it dropped, and by then it would be too late. So ... on I went. The clock was ticking down towards the 7pm close of play. The following leg was long ... or seemed that way and the next cylinder was above the distant cliffs at the head of Crummackdale. Going downhill (hundreds of steps) ... was harder on the legs than going uphill and I longed for flat terrain. Once at the entrance to Gaping Ghyll it became trackless cross country and awkward route finding due to walls, areas of tussocks and then limestone pavements which are more testing to move safely over.
Eventually I could across at the cliffs above Crummackdale - bigger close up than they appear on a map. I could deviate north and cut across the top, but the pavements looked awkward and the launches could be tircky due to rocks and rotor - it would also be strong on the edge although the wind was now dropping. Instead, I opted to go under them and committed to that approach as getting up through them again would require rock climbing above very steep slopes. And I was tiring. Things then didn't work out well. The cylinder hung very tantalisingly just over the cliff edge by a few metres (what idiot put it there). So ...now feeling on the weary side I climbed the steep, scree covered slopes to the foot of the cliff and only on touching vertical rock did the cylinder ping. I skirted the base for 50' but any idea of a launch was impossible ... just way too steep. A bum slide back down to the bottom only to find no wind and no point in taking off as it was too shallow. There was also a wall barring my way. Fortunately I discovered a 'smoot hole', placed my sack on the wall and crawled through aka sheep style. Eventually I spied a grassy knoll about 200m away and with a slope of sorts beneath it. That would have to do to cross towards the west facing edges and slopes of Crummackdale.
I took off into a decent breeze and managed to go up ... the intention was to head back to the steep slopes beneath the cliffs and fly those to gain maybe 500' or better. (I didn't know at this point that Mark and James were approaching the top of the cliffs from the back). The small knoll I was soaring was in front of the scree slope, yet only level with the bottom. I tried a couple of times to drop onto it, but gave up, retreating back to the knoll. The next time I gained better height I should have gone for a third attempt. But ... I didn't and crossed the track towards the west facing cliffs. Futile doesn't sum it up. The wind was almost across them ... especially low down - and I was soon below the fell wall.
I landed, balled the wing and walked south a short ways and them higher, hoping for a better direction and more wind - it was gradually getting lighter. The next flight was really short, not helped by a cravatted wing and I simply ended up no further, just lower. At this point I really regretted my haste in leaving the cliffs as with a lot more height I may have had half a chance, but time was passing and it was now 6.20pm The dream escape had been to fly serenely along them and turn the corner to the Moughton TP.
A slow pack followed and a footsore trog down Crummockdale. At the mid point it reached 7pm (Task closed) and I stopped my logging (actually it had never been working) ... looking back I saw a red glider heading for a landing. I think this was James. Now it was just a case of making it to the road as the light faded and my last dregs of water were drunk. The lift home could have been awkward, but I got lucky ... but that's another story.
Next day, Saturday, I saw off Paul Rowntree and Gary Crisp from Ribblehead at 9am. It was a lovely morning and quite calm at this point. Both made goal and both managed very good times. Mark in fact covered the course in 4hrs 28mins. Paul was an hour longer despite flying from near Little Ingleborough in a now SSE breeze.
There are some stills from my video commentary as I walked and from the exciting GH racing that took place on the Saturday. I forgot to take any in the air with too much on my mind I think.
Photo below:
1st Gary Crisp
2nd Paul Rowntree
20/9/2025 Park Fell/ Ingleborough
Sunday dawned sunny! That was in stark ciontrast to three weeks of rain and wind. Every forecast I checked looked set for a good day, even a very good rasp despite all the rain and wet ground. But mostly the groups were .... silent!
The morning was on the windy side, but forecast to drop after midday ... also a bit too NNW for some sites. Following usual practice I left late (11.15) and went to checkpoint 1 ... Ribblehead. It seemed more WNW and not too bad .... probably flyable and a certain low take off. Given I had time I drove over to Hawes to check out Semer (N). It was windy and off to the west. So ... back to Ribblehead.
Walking in my concern was it was almost too light ... OK on the top, but I avoid the steep climb up if possible. The day was quite stunning, crystal clear and with nice cu's forming out front. Perfect. This was my undoing in one way. I couldn't resist filming and talking. The result was I filled the card (left on?) .... discovering this later in the air with a 'card error' message I reformatted. Wiped everything and hence no video. This would come back later as a mega regret.
Once through the gate, before the long, steep pull, I knew it was easily launchable on the lower slopes and traversed across. At this point I spotted a gliderbag above me still grinding up. I shouted, but he carried on. It would be too windy on top and sure enough, an hour later he was heading down to a lower take off. Meanwhile had I laid out and launched easily in a steady 10 mph breeze and shot up.
The first surprise as I rounded onto the NW face were two gliders ...low down, one just airborne the other laid out. I flew for a while with the first (videoed - all gone) then headed south onto Ingleborough. I can't say I beat the hill a single time the whole period I was there. It was just sooo thermic ... thermals everywhere ... and good ones too. As the sky looked really good downwind I decided once at 4000' and in a good climb I'd set off xc. After about 30 minutes at 4300' climbing and I was away - looking down on the XDales course and thinking I could cover the whole route in 20 minutes.
A large cloud over Crummackdale worked on cue ... a very solid 2/s up to 4700' where I pulled out to the side. The cloudscapes were quite amazing. very clean edged and some below me ... the air wonderfully sharp. Cold fingers too. At this point I tried the gopro but with no joy. I'd set a goal at Crosshills, not far under the 3000' airspace ceiling. At this point I was actually thinking ... I may have to wait this side and have to lose height. There's confidence for you. The sky looked so good - a bit of a blue hole to cross, but a cloud to head for I was sure would work. But it didn't! Still at 3000' I though ..OK the next should although they seemed a bit aneamic. In fact nothing worked. At 1000' agl it was getting desperate and the ground was too green, too wet and heading off the moors. I landed on the road over to Malham. Packed ... came out of the field and got the first car back to my house door. A record I think.
Later I went back up to Ribblehead to fly again, but it was off to the north. Met Alan walking back, turned and headed back too. Burger and coffee at Ribblehead whilst watching Crhis floating at over 4000' towards Gearstones. It was working until late .... each wispy saw him thermalling. A would say one of the best Ingleborough/Park days.
But unfortunately no video.
22/9/2025 Park/ Ingleborough
A carbon copy of a couple of days previous - but with a different outcome. I also had a working Gopro.
Four of us walked in. It was windier than the days before but certainly doable and when Chris and Liam took off that settled it. A good day was on the cards. We laid out low, me even lower at just 50' above the fell wall .... I love the bottom of the hill take off Park offers.
Although the wind was slightly crossed from the west (normal here) I easily climbed out, passing four gliders laid out further along. With decent thermals I was soon over 3000' and again hoping for 4000'. After 30 minutes Chris and I climbed out together and shouted lets go .... not sure why, we had radios. So ... I set off only to see Chris head back (?) ... he went to collect Liam. Shortly after I saw him chasing not far behind ...sans Liam. We soon joined up.
This was a fairly easy flight, with good clouds and a convergence of sorts. I'd set a goal at just beyond Cononley and under the 3000' airspace ceiling. Not far .... but it had a station.
Approaching Gargrave I lost Chris or rather he got low chasing my imaginary thermal. Behind I could see a few other gliders, but they were struggling low. Up high it was easy to connect with the next climb.
Approaching Skipton and the 3000' ceiling yet another climb although much bluer ahead. I Full bar, still climbing slightly until I was able to lose some height and sneak under the ceiling with a safe 500' margin. A lovely glide down the Aire valley which was very flooded and resembled a set of lakes. Fortunately the goal I'd set was between lakes and I pinge in.
Chris arrived into my field ten ninutes later and we enjoyed a train and bus ride back. The bus taking the scenic route due to an RTA closing the A65.
A lovely day and flight for late September
28/9/2025 Wether Fell
Quite a few options but a slightly tweaked back, a light wind and showers (maybe) to the west meant I opted for Wether and its short walk - it also had the better rasp.
I arrived at the roadhead to see three gliders flying, two near base and a third taking off and doing OK. The sky looked good, it seemed soarable so I parked up and walked in 100yds to a clean take off. By the time I was ready to go the wind had dropped lower than marginal. I waited but it didn't get any better. Chris, further along, tried it and just about maintained, so I joined him. I gained a little height, but not much and set off to the other end of the ridge which is slightly higher. No joy here so I slope landed and walked up to the top.
The day was changing (see photos) from blue skies and fluffy clouds it had turned to 7/8 cover with the hint of a light shower 5k upwind over Whernside. The wind was light and waiting didn't seem a great option. After a while I decided that enough was enough and with the first waft of wind I set off back to the car, feeling it unlikely I would make it. In fact the reverse happened.
The air was really bouyant, little dynamic lift, just light bubbles of lift in abundance. I circled in front of take off, really smooth, light thermals with almost zero drift ... round and round in the same place. After about ten minutes there was some action on the normal take off and gliders started taking off until I counted eight of us. Nobody went down and all explored the full ridge finding plenty of height. Upwind the shower cloud edged that bit closer, so after an hour I opted to land back by my car and pack before I ended up with a wet glider. Alex came in just behind me.
Quite a relaxing afternoon that at one point didn't seem that promising. I think maybe an hour sooner would have worked better, but at least I managed something.
30/9/2025 Windbank
The last day of September looked very promising before the next storms hove in. Rob preferred Nappa, which would have been OK, whilst I sided with Windbank as it offered a long ridge and some social. We went to Windbank.
We arrived to find little wind, but were quite optimistic it would turn out OK ... in fact it turned out better than OK. A slow walk up to take off for me with a touch of sciatic back; Rob forged ahead with the ibrufen. On take off the wind was just starting up .... within 10 minutes it was perfect. There was a small gathering, about six of us and the odd extra turned up later.
I'd set a triangle, smaller than the usual at 27k to get over the 25k mark. I didn't expect much by way of thermal, but thought the ridges could work better than on previous occasions on the Buckden/Gt Whernside run in. Just as I took off a couple of glider were high and approaching base; an indication of the day.
The flying was really nice, abundant lift, some decent thermals and a gentle wind speed. A quick tag of the start off to the south and then along the ridge towards Arncliffe. I was soon able to drop back onto the top ridge behind Birks Fell and push on north. The next part is a bit tricky, across the big gully and a shallow section. I tried twice but under darkening cloud cover I found nothing and rushed back ... once really low but soon got back above the ridge.
Even lower was Ian Brindle who was forced out to the lower ridge to escape a high landing.
Eventually, I gave up the declared idea and headed south again. Over Arncliffe the best and strongest climb of the day got me up to 3400' - still short of base. In retrospect I wasted this pushing across the valley to hit an FAI sector that I fell short of. I could have gone back north .... or even south ... instead I found myself back over the ridge, lower and soaring south. My xctrack 'dist field' wasn't updating and just stuck at 10.8k. Distance never even occured to me.
Back over the landing field, and now 2 hrs into the flight, I set of north again for Birks (just for the hell of it) ... the flying was just so pleasant it seemed a shame to waste it. Although the sun had now slowly departed south there were still thermals. Again I flew along the back ridge to the end, turned and headed south - the distance still stuck at 10.8k. Heading forward for the front ridge I was joined in a thermal by a Gin Leopard (?) .... so good were the conditions he'd taken off from the field above the landing area ...below the stile. By the time I was back near take off the dist field suddenly clicked up to 28k. I just flew towards Kilnsey to max the distance at nearer 30k. Rob had just landed, the sun was back on the ridge again, but after 3hs and 10 mins it was time to call time and I landed in a light breeze.
It was a really special Windbank day. With hinsight it would have been possible to have increased the distance quite a lot as I never really pushed it. I think over 40k just on the ridge ... with some thermal even more. One for the future.
Super day out. VIDEO LINK
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