Canazei/ Col Rodella/ Dolomiten

Langkofel


Langkofel and Sella


Belvedere,Marmolada


Marmolada

Canazei in the heart of the Dolomit mountain was my final flying site on this autumn's trip. Here I also met Masa (from Japan) again with his group of PG pilots. The first day was unflyable ("Nordföhn"); but on Saturday this north wind had stopped and permitted some excellent flying with base at/ above 3600m!
The longer the day wore on, the easier it became to go wherever you wanted. I used this opportunity to make lots of pictures, which I then stiched together (>> see my Flickr photo page).
Unfortunately after landing I was told that one of the Japaneses (lady) pilots suffered a very bad accident upon landing. I heard that a rescue helicopter overflew her quite low and that her glider collapsed in the rotor's downwash -she didn't stand a chance! She was flown to Trento for treatment. In the evening I accompagnied Masa to the Santa Chiara hospital in order to help him with translations. After dinner I left for home at 2200, where I arrived shortly before 0400 on Sunday morning.
Apart from this accident, this 2 weeks were quite successful, as flying was possible about every 2nd day.


Chopper waiting to transport JPN pilot to Trento

Bassano (del Grappa)

Next 'station' on my way north/ back home was 'Bassano del Grappa'.
Even though the wx fcst for that day was very unpromising -it turned out to be a very nice flying day...

Castelluccio

On the way to Castelluccio I wanted to fly in Campo Imperatore (Gran Sasso), but the cablecar had already closed for the season and anyway it looked as the wind would have been too strong...



having arrived in Castelluccio around noon, the winds there had also become too strong, so on MON no flight was possible.

Next morning Castelluccio presented itself in its usual Autumn way: the plains fog covered with only the village sticking its head out.


Castelluccio di Norcia

But in the late afternoon a good flight with toplanding near the Refugio Perugia, where I stayed, was possible.

Norma (Sun)

Giardino di Ninfa


Unfortunately I missed the good moment for take-off -the conditions seemed to be too weak. But then the wind increased rapidly and no TO was possible for the next few hours. But in the end I was able to make a nice flight...

XCamp - Day 6 (SAT) -Flight 3 -Campochiaro

Campochiaro /Giovanni

Contrary to my expectations SAT proved to be as good a flying day as WED (Bocca della Selva). Campochiaro is North facing, but the thermals were excellent and I was able to cross the matese mountains and land in San Potito. At Gallinola TO, the thermals were coming from the lee side and the first 200m hve been very rough...
In the evening the price giving ceremony was held (- I ended up 4th in the Hobby categorie) and fresh pizzas from the wood oven was served.

Lago di Letine

San Potito

XCamp - Day 5 (FRI)

Yesterday evening the whole gang had been invited for dinner in an Italian 'ristorante'. (Unfortunately I left my camera in the hotel and so there is only this picture taken with my iPhone.)
As appetizer ('antipasto') several kind of cheese and meat (salami, prosciutto, pancietta etc) were served, followd by 2 'primi': lasagne and tagliatelle con funghi prchini; maincourse: sausage with patatoes and salad and then dessert. Vino rosso 'à discretion'. Then I left, but most probably followed by coffee and grappa...
Today we have (strong) Easterly winds and overcast and rain: so no flying.

XCamp - Day 4 (THUR) -Flight 2 -Sant'Angiolillo

Angiollillo TO

Today the take-off site was 'Angiolillo' on the front ridge directly above 'San Potito Sannitico': thermals were more torn apart and base lower than yesterday. I didn't dare venture further into the mountains as I nerver got really high. After 2 hours I landed...
Again: some pictures can be seen here.

XCamp - Day 3 (WED) -Flight 1 -Bocca della Selva

Lago da Matese

Today was the first flyable day - and what a day it was: TO at 1200m/ cloudbase at 3200m with some NW-wind (15-20kmh).
I was able to make a 50km-triangle, but many guys flew much farther.
As the upload of my pictures to Flickr doesn't seem to be working, check out some pictures here.