Hi gang,
Killer wave today! Absolutely unbelievable. Bryan and I released on the
ridge at about 600 feet. From there Bryan thermalled up to the 5000 foot
cloud base, we poked out to the valley and found smoothish, variable lift.
As we got higher it strengthened to 4-600fpm. We watching the altitimeter
spin. As we got to 9,000, the lift became extremely consistent and settled
at 3.5 knots, smooth as glass. More altimeter spinning. We went right up to
14,000 with ease. The lift only weakened to about 2 knots above 13,000.
From there we descended to 12,200, and climbed in formation back to 13,500
with Noah in the 1-34. From there Bryan and I went back to 14,000 one more
time. At that point the clouds started to thicken 6,000 feet below us. We
descended through a hole northeast of KELM, and skated home under thick
dark clouds. What a flight!!
It just goes to show that you don’t always have to smash down the ridge
when the winds are NW. today was an EASY gold alltitude gain for your gold
badge. Bryan and I gained 11,600 feet from tow. Some of these attached
shots will hopefully find there way on the cover of soaring.
-ND
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