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

Day 5 tour 2

 

Today looked fine, but I woke tired and was hoping to follow up my big flight yesterday with another. It would be short. 

The horse liked like I felt.  Nonetheless I hauled my solo wing to the top and prepped for a long day ahead. I have been using Honey Stinger energy gel bites as my in flight food of choice but opted to try and snack on salted peanuts today as an experiment.

Rob and Maya made it up the hill and then handed her off to Marité so Rob could fly Teche, (Marité's Mom) tandem. 

We flew towards La Union today, and stayed together quite well. At one point an east wind forced us a little deep in the mountains for comfort so we pressed out to the valley edge and the wind turned south and most everyone got low on the antennas at La Union. Not wanting to ridge soar in strong wind and thermal conditions, I pushed out, only noticing too late that many were getting back up after I had already committed to the valley and was in the ground in minutes. Oops. 

I cheered the rest of my guys (two landed near me) via radio and waited for Flacko to pick us all up.  Oh well, I could still use a shower and catch up on laundry, and the guys in the air had decent flights under Brian's care in my absence. Nice!

Back at the hotel, lots of drinking and storytelling going on. Good times. 

Laundry complete and shower too. Ahhh. 

Tomorrow is another day.  Try, try again. 

Adiós!

Martín

Day 4 Tour 2

The day looked like it had overdevelopment potential, as large cumulus appeared early and again later on launch. 

It was good launching conditions but the clouds were varied and unique today.

Flackos car got us up but as usual needed some minor repairs. No problem.

We gaggled quite well and I had a helicopter fly over me as I crossed the valley with several of my guys straggling behind me.

The clouds eventully came together but not in typical fashion. Nonetheless many had long and satisfying flights.

Dark and forboding clouds kept us paying close attention

I had 3 with me who wanted to continue and we kept going late into the afternoon as ominous clouds pulsed and grew, darkening the sky at times. 

In the end we flew nearly 50 miles in about 5 hours and most of us landed just past Tulúa shown here.  We got over 10,000 feet too, nearly 2000' higher than normal for a great day. Wow.

Scott landed just before Tulúa  a little earlier.  Austin, Jason and I were stoked to get packed up  before gust fronts and strong rain fell nearby.  We got a few drops on us but not like the city of Tulúa did, just a few km back. Flacko came to get us and we got back to the hotel just ahead of dinner.

The meat and Parmesan pasta was delicious.

After dinner I flaked out my gear to dry overnight after walking in light drizzle.

What a great day!

Cheers!

Martín

Day3 tour 2

 

What a beautiful morning!  I would fly with my group for the first time today.  It looked really good to me. 

The lighting was just stunning this am. 

A bowl of fruit was all I could muster but I was feeling good.

Flacko gifted me these Colombian specs to celebrate my return. I think they work?

This shot is for my daughters at Elmhurst Elementary School, Home of the Eagles!

I was determined to kick start my metabolism, I hiked my pack up to launch. Ugh!  But I did it. 

The day started oddly but worked out deapite the different cloud formations. A few of my guys made it out to the flats, a few did not. It was great to fly with them all just the same. 

Rob Milley sporting Colombian colors!

Rob Sporrer rocking custom colors too.

High above it all, heading North to Cartago, and back towards Obando. Nice big day. Nearly 4 hours.

Waiting with Tony for a ride. None of us made it all the way back into the increasing south wind. All good.

I'm officially back!

Hasta mañana amigos. 

Ciao,

Martín