We've arrived at the LZ-campground for the hang gliding and paragliding community here in Laragne. Three members of the US team will be staying here:

The launch area is the mountain behind the trees and the LZ is about ten feet to the left of the trailer just behind the trees. A pilot took a late evening sled ride and here he is landing in the LZ:

You get a better idea of just how huge the LZ is if you click on the photo above.

My general impression is that while the hills are substantial they aren't the Alps (very high very steep mountains with very narrow valleys). Just as a first impression, it reminds me more to Mt. Beauty and than Emu launch rather than Emberger Alm and Greifenburg. The hills are more massive and higher than the Victorian Alps, at least where we fly them, but there are supposed to be lots of wide open landing fields in wide valleys and so far that looks to be the case.

The flat slope launch at one of the launches does not have a great reputation, which is why I spent so much time practicing foot launching at the end of May. Apparently rocky also.

On Wednesday the sun rose in the east and we could actually see it. Looks like good weather today and ahead.

The day turned out to be wonderful. I set up my glider, but didn't get it up the hill. Cu's every where. Apparently the hordes are coming tomorrow.