Day 2 Tour 3

The drying trend from the rain a day ago continueds.  The sky stayed fairly dark all morning even though it sinned up nicely for a short time at launch. 

We were ready to go but were forced to wait for conditions to get stronger. 2 of the three first pilots landed before the day really started to turn on. 

It was patient flying and I was gettin antsy to run to the valley and take our chances there. Ultimately we gaggled up quite well on the valley edge of the spine and got to 6500' together. I glided out to the middle just past Roldanillo with most of my group with me. 

Unfortunately everyone that followed landed as we watched others climb out  that avoided our path and fly on towards Zarsal and beyond. Those are the breaks. We were still happy to have landed someplace different than the day before and quickly got rides back to town. 

Juice, empanadas and chicken filled our bellies and made for a fine finish to another great couple of hours of flying.  

Reports started coming in a little later that some had flown as far as Cartago but when the west wind came through it pushed the clouds into overdrive and dumped rain with a slight gust front as well. The pilots in the air saw this and flew away to avid the wind and the wet, and everyone landed safely without incident. 

Stuffed avocado for the appetizer. 

Some sort of chicken and rice meal was delicious. 

We had a debrief by the pool and then I helped Brian and Dave repack some reserve parachutes after dinner as is customary every 6 months to a year.   

I'm good and tired and heading off to bed ASAP.  Tomorrow will be even better I suspect!

Buenos noches!

Martín 

Day 1 Tour 3

Rain the night before and the morning of the first day of the last tour was welcome but in excess of our expectation. We knew it would settle things down, but now we were concerned it may be too much of a good thing. 

Fog on launch made for a fair amok of waiting. It was refreshing and cool. 

Everyone was quick to be ready to fly, still unable to see anything out front sue to the thick clouds. 

Things eventually lightened up and we were able to launch everyone into the light conditions. 

It was light lift but it was abundant and smooth. The gaggles worked well together and we moved down the ridge to the south for a while. 

As dark as it was, there was still lift, but we opted to make a move to the north and make a play for La Union. 

Most of us made it there, following the guides into town. 

Shade and light wind made landing easy onto the grassy soccer field.

What a fitting end to a first cross country flight for Ganelle, on her first Colombian flight. Randy was feeling the smoke as well. In fact my whole group was there,  Nice work team, super sweet. 

A short walk found us at Grijales restaurant for lunch.  

We shared a bottle or two of Chilean Malbec wine, a rare event for me, but it was delicious. 

Lots of curios were on display across the street.  

A local fire truck was parked nearby too. 

Back at the hotel we had a relaxed meeting to get everyone up to speed followed by dinner and a debriefing of the day. 

Tomorrow looks perfect and spirits are high. Hasta mañana!

Martín 

Day 7 Tour 2 / Travel Day

Mostly clear skies, then clouds came in, then a sweet day indeed for the end of the week flight. 

Breakfast was yummy, and I felt relaxed and hungry for what the day would offer.

One last glance as I walked along the pool to the trucks to load up for the drive to the mountain.

The big sign as we turned off the pavement and headed up the dirt road.

Getting closer to take off now, this is one of the last signs. I really like this one.

Everything back in full sun.

Brian making the final steps up the stairs. I opted to let the horse haul my tandem today. For only $1 US, it made sense.

Marité and I had a super relaxed flight. We were really enjoying the clouds and seeing the best gaggle of the tours this year with virtually everyone from all the groups sharing cloud base together for an hour or so. We all left towards the valley and La Vitoria but only the patient and somewhat lucky stayed in the game there.

A few of us landed in La Vitoria while most made it up, up and away to fly towards Obando, Cartago and scattering themselves to land on the way back. Everyone checked in safe.  That's a wrap!

Juho was picked up as we rode the bus back towards La Union.

Dinner was the best yet with a tabouli salad and meat cutlets that were the most tender so far. A mac-n-cheese was also a hit, and I remembered my girls at home who love this particular item.

After dinner there was a thankfully short dance program that had us all jumping around as a group in a Colombian Congo line kind of event. Everyone got on in this then we were off to play "Tejo" at the local bar. It's like horse shoes, as you grow a heavy metal half sphere to the far end of the area into a wooden recepticle filled with clay and a metal ring imbed win the center. 

Paper triangles saturated  with some sort of explosive are placed around the ring so that if your metal disc contacts them, they are compressed and explode with a very loud and satisfying bang. We weren't that good, but with perseverance we had some explosive results. 

We said some goodbyes last night and woke to rain this morning as still others had to go. Flying was suspended for those that are staying on or had arrived early ahead of the final group.

I took the day to relax, play a little pool with some others and pick up some goodies for my family waiting patiently for my return.  I think my dad will like this hat. Clint Eastwood comes to mind. 

The last group rolls in today and tonight. 

It's gonna be another great week!

Saludos a todos

Martín 

Day 6 Tour 2

A golden glow filled the skies in the am. 

Breakfast was some sort of tamale but what stuck in my mind was how well I felt. 

A record turnout on the roof of the Cipri was in attendance. Only two hats flew off and were picked up by the guides in Flacko's rig. Nice.

Flacko and his wife Karen took to the skies early today and still were able to come get people after landing thanks to Boris who drove his rig down.

The day turned on as expected and we crossed to Roldanillo to the south as a group, with Farmer. 

We did the deep line and over flew both Pico Launch as well as Aguapanella take off area.  

Eventually we flew back out of the mountains and got established on the edge of the flats. We took several small climbs as we flew across to Zarsal.

Many were still in the game as Jason, Scott and I watched Daddy B land at Zarsal. We topped a smoky thermal and headed north to La Vitoria.

Brian's brother chris joined us for a while enroute to La Vitoria.

Jason circling North of La Vitoria. 

Scotty gliding North toWards Cartago.

Everyone made it to Cartago and many made it back to Obando on the way back towards La Vitoria. 

A true reunion. Eric (right) and and his guide Farmer rendezvous to hang in the air so Eric can bust the 6 hour mark before landing near Obando.  Congrats!

Rob landed first, then Jason and me. Nice LZ  north of La Vitoria even in the strong west wind. Everyone landed safe.

Rob watching for stragglers still gliding in. 

The La Vitoria boys always remember us and help us in any way they can.  Buen tipos.

The walk to the bus stop.

A moment of shade for Rob, Jason and yours truly. 

Not sure how many miles we flew but we got over 10,300' and I flew 5:20 hrs or so. 

This is how I remember the day. All smiles at cloud base.

Cheers,

Martín