North toward Howey in the Hills

Kate writes:

I had the privilege of soaring the invisible wave the last couple
of days. While I don't normally make posts about it - these two days were
special.

On Monday, I had a personal best in my little Pulse 9 (named Amadeus) of most
altitude gained in a single thermal as well as the highest I've ever soared.
Gain: 2800' (2100'-4900'). Altitude reached: 5400' (Almost cloudbase!). Flight
of the day!

(Note: I haven' had a true thermal flight in several years, let alone one that
allowed me to stay up more than an hour.)

Yesterday, I had personal records that beat out Monday's flight by a landslide.
Started out as an early day since my tug pilot had other commitments. So Amadeus
and I launched 12:20 and was dropped in a nice area of lift. I hung around the
Wilotree flight park for the better part of an hour before going north and
playing in some air there.

Once I got above 4500' I decided to take a stab at cross country. There is a
little ultralite park about 10k away as the crow flies, Gator field. As I start
out I'm watching clouds, birds, ground indicators and stopping anywhere and
everywhere for lift. I make it above 5000' and I have the little park on glide.
(WOW THIS IS AMAZING).

I get to the airfield with a little over 1000' to spare so I hover around, kind
of in lift, not really trying to stay up but not really trying to get down
either. Then 200 fpm becomes 300, then 400, then 600, and I keep climbing. Until
I hit 1200 fpm and sky up to cloudbase (FIRST TIME) At around 6000'. I'm looking
at the fields north and decide to see how much distance I can get. Got a few
more climbs and landed 20.7k from Wilotree Flight Park at 15:00.

Personal Records: Most altitude gain: 4,600'. First/longest cross country
flight: 20.7k. Highest altitude reached: 6000'. First time landing out: check.
Longest time in the air: 2hrs 40mins

Thank you so very much to my partner in crime, Mitch Shipley, for everything he
contributed. I wouldn't have even gotten in the air for these last two flights
if it wasn't for his encouragement and his towing skills. He also was my driver
for a very unexpected cross country (note to self: always fly with your wallet,
water, and a backup phone battery if there is any chance you will be up for any
time at all.).

Overall: EPIC.