NEW

After several days of launching ahead of the local comp, we went to a new site (to us) directly behind Roldanillo to the west. 

A tandem took off early and got up to cloud base just a few hundred above us at 6000'. The glide to the city looked far away but after flying a while it was clear we could make it. Several other pilots displaced by the comp were there too. 

Going north proved more difficult for me on tandem with Elizabeth, who flew with Bradley the day before. We managed to cross to the first ridge, and then the second, but it was tricky to get back all the way to our town. We landed short, packed up and got a ride within 15 minutes from retrieve. Nice!

They dropped us at the lunch spot where we ate to excess, realizing the others had crossed into the flats and gone big (we hope). 

Back at the hotel now, showered, napped, and unable to leave the fan above my bed.  The pool guy just added a bunch of chlorine, so tomorrow looks good for a swim! Ahhhh. Cheers!

Yes!

We were greeted with clearer skies and lots of cumulus this am. 

Though our early start was more challenging, we fared far better than the poor comp pilots who were forced to take off later, losing half the field to the landing zone directly below launch.

Eventually the flats turned on and we chased puffy clouds around the sky.  

We were in the air for 4 hours today, crossing the flats, going South a bit and then back North towards 'home'. 

Most made it to the final stretch back North but only 5 of the 13 in the gaggle at Salazar made the last climb to base allowing 4 to make it to the soccer field goal (Rob, Marite, John Blake and myself) while Farmer opted to chase the task to goal and visit with Jamie and Isabella before they have to fly home. 

The flats were so much fun and the Eagle team really stayed together well and are flying better each day.  Good times!

OVC

Day three was plagued by South wind and high clouds but not until we were all in the air trying to get past our home city of La Union.

 

Wrist burns got Jason (where light jacket meets gloves). Ouch!

Most landed at the town soccer field except for Brian and Bradley and Jason who drifted to the next city to the north. 

Though most of us got about an hour in the air it was a short day by our standards, yet much was learned with respect to flying in wind and drifting thermals. We rested up and prepped for another great day tomorrow. 

Hasta mañana amigos!