YEA!

Today looked gloomy to the eye, yet veteran pilots agreed it would be good today. They were right!

Launch was draped in cloud as we got there early. It felt cool and refreshing after the stout hike up the stairs. My solo glider felt light on my back and I felt nervous excitement. 

I was off early with Farmer and we climbed to base on a straight glide from launch. This was a welcome change from my sinky fast launch.  

Cloudbase was at or below launch level, so we stayed busy staying up, but not in the clouds. 

My group and I chose to chase the xc group and we did a great job all the way back towards La Union. Shaun landed first, distracted by a noisy radio and opted to fly out to fix it. It was the right call, but it cost him a lengthy flight this time. 

Two left in my group now, as we crossed west of our town and the next transition looked reasonable enough, yet it proved to be the crux of the flight.  One more in the group landed safely here. 

Somehow my last guy, Scott and I dug out and got to cloud again with the remaining handful of pilots, who were poised to cross the valley to La Victoria. I found a weak climb that Dawn spotted but left and gained a few hundred feet.  Scott couldn't get it and landed  safely near La Victoria in the middle of the valley. 

Feeling bold I cut the corner to a spot where it looked milky above in the blue sky while the others climbed slowly over the town. My climb never came and I limped back over the town just a few hundred feet over the town center. 

A soccer field accommodated yet another pilot on the city edge. Suddenly there were birds (vultures) everywhere turning in light lift. They saved us all. 

Eventually we all topped out and I shot south to some lovely clouds and was in lift for the entire transition. Yes. 

The call to go north was very much abandoned at this point as we all headed south. The new plan was to continue south to tag Zarzal, cross back west to Roldanillo and then back north to our town of La Union. Dawn opted to fly back at this point as she had enough fun for one day. Thankfully, she remained at the soccer stadium calling wind conditions on radio as we headed around the new course trying to arrive before the strong west wind pushed through. 

Brian's last pilot landed near Roldanillo, and after confirming he was safe, Brian joined Farmer and his last guy, Jim. We caught a patient climb then I shot to the mountains carefully looking for signs of the west wind. Not here yet. Good. 

We landed hapy and tired after a 4.5 hour flight for me, and 4:50 for Famer. The kids were curious and exited to see each of us as we landed. 

A half mile hike to the town center and we found Cipriano in the big jeep. Yes! He kindly hauled our gear to the hotel while we hit the favorite juice bar where Dawn and Jim had already ordered us fresh French fries (papas fritas) and kindly treated us to fresh juice.  Yum!

We hopped a cab back to the hotel, where Dawn and Farmer each gave great presentations for an hour or so each.  Dinner is just minutes away, and the weather looks super for tomorrow. 

I'm in love with my wife and kids, but Colombia is a close second! Cheers. 

Big

The sky was a giveaway this am with towering cumulus visible on the Eastern side of the valley as early as 6:30 am.

Not ideal, I think to myself. Pay attention!

Several pilots were seated at a dining room table looking out at the sky hoping for another great day. I was hopeful and optimistic despite the conflicting signs. 

We got to the take off right on time, and started our hike into the mist of the low clouds that were quietly wafting upslope.

Today I am flying my solo wing, and hoping it won't get wet.  It looks like just a matter of time before the sky uncorks a bit of rain somewhere around here. 

We realize we have to decide quickly wether to get ready or not to fly.  If yes, we need to be quick. If no, then time to keep the gear packed so it will be easy to reload on the truck. 

Rob Milley was first to take off then me.  Farmer was right behind and soon we were radioing info back to those getting ready on launch. At one point it looked like a comp starting as many gliders launched in succession to escape the approaching west wind from behind the mountains on its way here from the coast. 

The sky grew gray and darkened. Climbs became weak and the towering cumulus were tamed for a while.  

A handful made it back to La Union and the rest were distributed evenly on the ground along the route or were driving down from the top due to wind over the back from 5-15 mph as the mountain went Into full shade, unable to block the wast wind. 

Roldanillo was the call for the afternoon as there was a huge horse parade that lasted to well after dark. Amazing! The sky unleashed a deluge and the people took cover, and waited it out with music and beer. We found a dry place to play pinging and enjoy the rain delay. 

The ride home in the Cipri was no less entertaining with strobe lights and music like a mobile disco back to the hotel. 

After another fine dinner Brian gave his talk and later everyone seemed to go there own way and relax. Tomorrow will be great. 

Run!

Another tandem for me today, this time with my flying monkey friend Sam. 

Everything was mostly charged and breakfast was once again very nice with fresh fruit, ham and eggs scrambled with the fantastic coffee here and fresh juice.

The ride up was dark at times with towering cumulus forming right away. Word circulated that today could "OD" (overdevelop), meaning that the clouds cold grow too tall and become thunder-storms. 

We made the call to launch ASAP and land in the ultralight airport below. The instructors stayed up and surveyed the situation and tried to render help when 2 pilots from another group landed behind the power lines low on the hill and were unable to make the glide out due to poor choices being made durring their flights. A third pilot landed into the side of a small foothill, clearly trying to make the glide over it to land with all of us. Had

he looked around he would have noticed one of our pilots landing safely behind him in one of our bailout landing zones.  He must have been overwhelmed at the time. The leaders of the other group seemed unconcerned about their missing pilots and turned down our offers to help. Go figure. 

Meanwhile Sam and I punched out front to escape the strong turbulent air of the mountains behind us and found a weak climb on a spine leading to our group LZ. After a few turns it became stronger and we were back up to cloud base in no time.  

Having altitude to burn, we did some big wing overs and some high-G turns.  Fun. 

Sam nailed the launch and we stood up the landing no problem as well. We were pretty stoked that we were all safe on the ground with plenty of time to pack up and relax. 

The owner of the field is super nice and has an ultralight in a hangar he built. 

We all landed together (except one). The shade of the hanger was a welcome retreat from the sun until our ride came to pick us up and take us to our favorite lunch spot. 

The owners were very hospitable and treated us like guests.  Super cool. Big dog!

Back at the hotel, I'm parked under my fan and it's lovely. Outside it looks like a flyable day, but only for top pilots with tons of experience.  The "tell" today was the absence of any local pilots on the take off. We all got off and landed safely, and avoided the long drive down with time to spare. Unfortunately, those other 2 to 3 pilots are sill dealing with their situation. 

A short day to be sure, but a safe one for everybody in our group, so we can always try again tomorrow. 

Cheers!

SUN

The sky was different this morning in a good way.  I saw more blue than I had on all previous days. 

After the usual clouds burn off, the day seems to be poised for epic conditions. 

One of the retrieve guys seems to have a good handle on the weather here. He predicted rain on the one day we got a little wet, and today he is optimistic more than usual despite his relaxed demeanor.

Farmer, Josh and Brad are relaxed and quiet on the way up. This suits me as well as I'm flying tandem today and I enjoy the time to focus and stay centered.

We were all ready to go early and had a short meeting before launching.  Conditions are good!

I modified my passenger harness last night to accommodate instruments and my glider cheat sheet. We hope to fly for a long time today, and we will likely cover some distance as well.

Mark and I managed to get the group to go south about 23 km before we lost Shaun to landing. "Truck" and Scott both got a low save after the long crossing and continues on with me out  into the flats chasing Farmer's group. The flying today was much smoother and more like the typical amazing conditions we are uses to here.  Unfortunately Mark and I got low near Famer's group and landed in a little soccer field next to a pool in Bugalagrange. My two remaining guys continued to fly with Famer's group. 

It was very hot and the pool looked inviting but packing on grass in the shade was a welcome end to a fantastic flight. All 3 of my pilots in my group had personal bests today, and my tandem passenger, Mark as well. 

A short walk later we caught a bus to Andelucia, where we had a slice of Colombian style Hawaiian pizza and a Gatorade. Another bus came by, and now we are on our way to Roldanillo. 

This Carmel roll was a nice treat from the bakery near the bus stop. Yum! A little over 2 hours in the air. Nice day. 

Everyone was on the ground not long after we landed due to the clouds all resembling Marge Simpson's hair and All remaining pilots flying were cautioned to land precautionarily to avoid the rain and potential gust fronts that followed. 

I gave my talk tonight and even though it was a repeat it was well attentended and welll received by both the new tour 2 pilots and the repeat pilots from tour 1. Good times. 

Cheers!

  

TWO

The new group settled in late last night tired from 36 hours of travel for some, and somehow slept through the loud disco music here at the hotel and yet still showed up at 7am for breakfast.  

Our in-house disco, complete with two mirrored balls!

The day looked odd as ever when I woke, but improved right on cue as we arrived at launch. Nice. 

A pit stop to view landing areas took a few short minutes on the way up. 

Everyone got their gear ready to go after the strenuous hike up the stairs from the parked jeeps below. Another short briefing and it was time to launch!

The air became windy and it broke up the thermals making this the most turbulent and difficult day by far. It was a real challenge to get us all established.

Some had short flights but many made the trek back to our small town and beyond. I landed with two of the three pilots I was guiding and of course my tandem passenger/pilot who wisely chose to fly with me as he was still tired from his journey here from Alaska. 

It was all smiles at the soccer field for Team Monkey as Sam made the trek with us and his guide, Brian as well. 

School must have adjourned for the day as a few students came to chat up my passenger Ryan and me. Cute. 

A short walk had us eating lunch at our favorite spot in no time with fresh made grape and pineapple juice.  Amazing. 

Cipriano (chip re AHN-no) was outside to load our gear and take us to the bank and store so everyone could grab bottled water and cash. 

Soon we were back "home" to shower and take a dip in the pool or just relax under a perfect sky. 

Soon it will be dinner time and after that we'll likely have a talk by Rob or me for the group. 

Edwin, a local boy we often see, said he loved my T.V. debut last night at 8pm. We weren't able to see it at the house but he assured me I did a great job. Sweet!

Ciao for now!