The weekend of the 15/16th of may saw the annual club camping trip, this time based in the Langi Ghiran State park.
Not being able to get away 1st thing due to family commitments meant i had to meet pilots at launch.
After (finally) managing to get through to Meeks, it was agreed to definitely meet at Mt Lonarch, as they were already on their way, it was definately on, and if i didn’t hurry up i’d miss out..
When i got there, there seemed to be a distinct lack of cars or gliders (like none), not to mention not a breath of wind and launch in shade.
It was lovely and peaceful though….could hear the sheep baaa’ing down below, and the birdies singing.
When i got through to Meeks again, i was then told to meet at Ben Nevis, where it was definitely “on”, and they were on their way. (I’ve heard this before)
Found the travelling circus heading up to launch after dropping some vehicles at the LZ.
Up top it was looking pretty light, and crossed, but luckily for us, the clouds started burning off and the wind came round.
Pilots included Meeks, Phil C, Bruce A, Greg B, John M, Steve, Tam, Merv, Adam D.
Meeks was 1st off, having volunteered to show us all where the lift was. (he didn’t actually word it that way)
Well, it proved to be pretty scratchy, even the eagles were keeping away, so full credit to Meeks for showing the rest of us where not to go looking for lift!!
Myself, managed 32mins or so, never getting back to launch height, but a lot of fun working what little lift there was before finally having to admit defeat.
Two of the old crusty pilots managed the best, getting up.
Rohan came by LZ with his day 8 course, just in time to run us back up to pick up the vehicles from launch.
Good day even if the flights were not as long as people hoped.
All this time, Will Faulkner had been holding the fort back at camp, getting the food and campfire ready, and, if rumour proved to be fact, keeping a bus load of RedBull girls entertained on their way back from Adelaide. Aparantly, because we took so long getting back from our flights, they couldn’t hang around and we’d just missed them.
A tasty BBQ meal complete with roasted potatoes got people ready to knock back a few beverages, and talk crap.
Dates were a heated (and popular) topic of conversation for some…..
Was pretty bloomin cold overnight.
We had high hopes for Sunday, Will had said we might be able to have the Red Bull bikini girls at the LZ to hand out drinks, but that cloud did not burn off, so it must have been too cold for them (Will said).
Up to Nevis again, this time with Rohan and the now Day 9 course.
1st few students launched, but no real lift.
Adam Dixon headed off just before me (another experienced campaigner volunteering to show the new-uns where the lift is), and would you believe it, but he actually went up!!
I launched straight after, and managed to get about 20m above launch, before it shut down again.
12 minutes a lot better than nothing, lovely and smooth. Good practise.
Everyone else who chose to fly (there were a few people a bit soft) had nice extended sleddies, even the old and crusty ones couldn’t get up.
Rohan borrowed Will’s C4 and showed us a nice landing (but chickened out going for the spot).
I walked back up the hill to get the car, 45mins, and the heart was going hard, excellent exercise – but i don’t believe that anyone could do it in 20mins.
Took a short cut on the way back down along Branding Yard Track – well it looked like a short cut on the map, but actually has not had a dozer down it for a long time, great 4WD action to be had along there.
Thanks to the boys for organising a great weekend, congrats to the latest students on flying Nevis.
17. May 2010 at 8:22 pm
Great post Tim. Well done mate.