Sweet Saltspring
Click image for more photosTandem flights for Joelle and Tyler
Solo soaring for Rick, Paul, Lee, and Kuno
Visiting from Washington DC, Joelle and Tyler travelled over from The Aerie and met up with us on Saltspring early this morning.
With so much rain two days ago, there was still lots of moisture on the ground so it was little surprise to see large cumulus forming early over both Mt Maxwell and Bruce Peak. Cycles were coming through consistently on launch and Paul was first to get airborne, quickly beaming up to base. Rick was next, followed by Lee, then myself with Joelle on tandem, and lastly Kuno.
Click image for more photosWind was light from Burgoyne Bay and it wasn't long before Joelle and I had joined Paul and Rick at the height limit, enjoying the views of the cliffs below. Joelle was pretty comfortable in the air so we were able to work the 'spicey' thermals together and fly as long as she wanted, passing back over launch to say hello down to Tyler, before eventually heading out to spiral in and land. Great flying with you Joelle! Rick and Paul were last to touchdown and they came in on final together.
Video taken during Joelle's flight:
Back up for round two, this time with Tyler and I launching first and quickly climbing up near the lookout. Lee was next and he took a good climb, getting up over the top of the mountain. After flying our fill, Tyler and I headed out over the LZ with plenty of height where we found the wind to have switched, now blowing steadily from Fulford, which made for an easy landing.
Short video of Tyler in flight:
Click image for more photosKuno then launched and pushed forward into the new wind. Rick was next in the air and he headed downwind, gaining some altitude near the lookout but, with the Fulford wind now steadily blowing, it provided to be a very different flight than the previous one. Lee and Kuno were getting low at this point and they both headed further upwind, working the drifting thermals whenever possible.
Paul was last to launch and he didn't waste anytime before pushing upwind where he linked some coordinated turns when possible. By the time he landed, Kuno, Lee, and Rick were all still kiting there wings which made for a rare busy LZ.
All told, we had 10 flights and some good airtime on a hot, sunny summer's day. I head back east for my brother's wedding next week and won't be returning until the end of the month so I'm happy to get some good flying in now!
