Going Places - Part One

Tuesdays menu brings us another east wind day, so...

A Costalunga we go, we go...
A Costalunga we go.

Upon arrival it is quickly obvious that the aggregate thermic and meteo winds are not for the faint in heart nor the low in experience (for the folk back home, think mid-summer on the Mt.Woodside launch between 1:30 and 2:00 PM).

Kelly informs Tim and Jim that it is best that they sit this one out, the gusting conditions are very different from the laminar wind found at the coastal soaring sites that they are accustomed to.

A quick briefing from Kelly for Olle, Magnus, and I indicates Kelly will launch first and mark the first climb. We are expected to follow him out quickly, thermal up, and begin moving S/E - more or less with the wind, but also away from the ridge which is expected to bring rather sporty flying conditions as the day progresses.

As we finish setting up, two vans stop in the sliver of a parking lot above launch.

The Belgians.

Aside from the hotel patio at breakfast and dinner, we rarely run into this group. The only times I have seen them in the air have been in the early morning or just before sunset. I think it safe to assume that they are in the early stages of a Novice/EP/P-2 -esque course of instruction.

You can imagine my surprise when they showed up at this launch, at this time of day. Trebucheting beginners with the active flying skills of a brick off of Costalunga near midday. <insert Guinness 'Brilliant!'/> Paraglider manufactures have done quite a remarkable job technology wise in denying Darwin his due over the years and I start to wonder how quickly the first rung of the 'insurance' overdraft flow (passive safety) will be reached by this group.

Through all of this, Kelly has finished clipping in and is awaiting a lull in the gusts. Keeping my wing in check with a firm grip on the C risers, I alternate between watching him, the wind sock and the trees to my left (which are outside the launch 'bubble').

A lull.

Kelly launches, calmly and smoothly. There is little movement in his wing as he heads out, searching for the first thermal.

The lull continues.

Never look the proverbial gift horse in the mouth.

I pull up, keeping reign on the C's in anticipation of a renewed gust.

The lull surprisingly continues.

I turn, pausing ever so briefly to ensure the wing is settled overhead, take a pair of steps, and lift off.

Taking up a position approximately seventy meters to the right and behind Kelly, the search for the first climb of the day begins...