raef mackay <<email>> writes:

http://goldcoasthgpg.com.au/index_files/Page445.htm

Day 11 was a wash out wide spread showers had covered the whole area from the coast to us. Canungra was getting a good soak so we decided to chill out and headed into Warwick for a look around.

Day 12 was looking better the sky was clean when we got up so we were excited for the possibility of a good cross country day. We got up to the South East launch at about 10.30am and set up cycles were coming through and wispy clouds were forming out the front. Phil wasn’t to keen to fly and waited to see how we went. The valley is reasonably narrow and the ridge in front of us wasn’t too far away. It had blued up over launch we waited another 15min a few wispy’s had started so I launched first.

The air was quite rough. I found a strong climb near launch then fell out and found the strong sink tried for a few other bubbles coming through, but they were like bullets. I managed to get back up to ridge height but was over the rough air and headed down wind to the landing paddock. Dave pulled the pin and landed not too much later. After talking to Johnny on the phone we decided to break camp and head for Canungra as he was calling for a record day.

Day 13 looked good from the coast we headed for Beechmont at 8.30. It was the last day of the paraglider comp and we had to be launched before the window opened. I was off by 9.30. It was slightly ridge soar-able with weak thermals coming through. Within 10 minutes there were about fifteen hang gliders in the air all struggling for the little bits of lift coming through. Then the sink cycle came along I was caught in the middle of no where. I tried to move along the ridge, but there was only sink. I headed out with as much height as I could, getting drilled all the way.

I was un-zipping and wondering if I would even make the bomb-out when a little bubble came through. Thank you. I cranked it up as much as possible and started drifting back toward launch.

I saw Courtney and Dave dive in on top of me and start circling. I waited till I got back up to launch height then moved over under where they were climbing. Phil was way down the other end of the ridge and flying toward us. I didn’t like his chances. He got close to it but couldn’t connect and headed for the landing.

We climbed back up over the ridge. I eventually caught up with Courtney and drifted over the back. We didn’t make base, but got close.

I headed for Hinchey’s found weak lift and drifted on. Courtney always amazes me. He flies all over the place. He got really low. It looked like he was going to land then when I looked back he was 500ft above me.

We kept working together and wandered over to the Kerry Valley where we met up with Dave again. My favorite pub was now clearly insight and I could see a glider on the ground just on the edge of town. By this time everything was going up. I searched around and found some sink and landed with Marty Bennett, hoping he had a retrieve. He was in contact with the guys in the bomb-out and we organised for Phil to get back to launch and come and get us. Dave flew out past Boonah T and Courtney made it to Aratula. The paraglider comp got over the range toward Warwick 90km I’m not sure. All in all Johnny was right it was a great day.

Final day 14 was another great day. The wind had backed off and we had to wait until we could see somebody climbing. The thermal was off the hill out in the valley. We flew out to it and climbed straight away. There wasn’t much drift and it wasn’t overly strong, 300 fpm up at the most.

When it broke apart I moved back over the plateau searching for more lift. I could see a glider climbing at Gordo’s Nob and headed for him. As I was getting closer he flew off. I scratched around in what he had but eventually lost it and landed in the valley.

To summarize the tour was a success only losing two days to bad weather. The guys were really happy we had flown new sites and had some really good flights. It was a bit of a shame we didn’t get more epic days but there had been a trough hanging around and making bad weather all over so under the circumstances we did all right. No one got hurt and nothing got broken and heaps of beer got drunk so all in all I was very happy and am looking forward to doing it all again at the Classic which starts this weekend.