Weissenstein

Todays (excellent) thermal forecast for the Jura region:

(Hotel Weissenstein) ...already the flag indicates, that there is wind...

As Föhn was forecast in the Alps, 'everybody' flocked to the Jura and especially to 'Weissenstein', which is easily reachable by a gondola.

Finsteraarhorn, Eiger, Mönch, Jungfrau...

BUT: unfortunately the wind was much stronger than forcasted and also out of a much more northeasterly direction :-((
Comment by Chrigel Maurer about the conditions (the SwissLeague was holding a task here):
Die Bedingungen sind schlechter als prognostiziert:
- mehr Wind (10-15kn aus NE)
- Thermik ist nicht angenehm und zu schwach für den Wind
 
Most pilots launched anyway (also my friend Andy), but an estimated 5% elected to go down using the gondola (me amongst them). Andy reported later that it had not been 'really clean' ;-)    But certainly some great flights were made today.

also some 'not so nice' launches could be seen...

Alp Scheidegg / XCBanner

Originally Andy and I had planned to go to Fanas, but as a pressure difference of 6hpa was forcast we changed our mind and went to Alp Scheidegg instead. (Up to 4hpa is considered to be ok for Fanas, with more the risk of the 'Föhn' breaking through is to big - at least for me). Remark (25.4.): not a single flight from Fanas has been uploaded to XContest...

Andy launching

Launch

But also here the influence of the (SW-) wind could be clearly felt; flying was ok, but not a big pleasure and the landing at 'Hüebli' again a bit tricky ;-)

LZ 'Hüebli'

...XCBanner...

XCBanner is available here: different languages, very lightweight, costs about 15EUR and is mailed from Poland. I have received mine in less than 2 weeks....

Alp Scheidegg

The weather today turned out to be much better than what had been forcasted even just a few days ago, so I went to the site closest to where I live: 'Alp Scheidegg' (abaut 50min by car).
Andy joined me at the LZ, where we parked our cars and then, after waiting only a few minutes, we could hitch a ride to launch - Thanks!!
Conditions turned out to be rather perfect for launching, but in the air it was somewhat 'strange': windy at times, bumpy in places... 

looking down to launch

over the LZ, looking towards launch

LZ 'Hüebli'

The LZ lived up to its reputation as being 'challenging' ;-) Andy even elected to top land and hitch down.

Fanas

Yesterday (SUN, 9.4.) while having lunch together with Ruth on the terrasse of  Skihaus Pirigen near Langwies I saw at least 25 wings flying high overhead; close to 20 pilots flew more than 200k; the furthest: Chrigel Maurer, 245km FAI-Triangle, launching from 'Vilan' (flight here).
So today, even knowing that conditions would be much less favorable due to the approaching coldfront, I found my way to Fanas as well...

just a few pilots on launch ;-)

looking east towards 'Chrüz'

 I started the crossing towards 'Chrüz' (for my liking) rather low, but the west wind helped and I arrived not too low. After a little scratching I was able to cross the peak and the wind pushed me eastwards towards Klosters. Climbs have been strong (up to 8m/s), but sink as well (up to 7 m/s). After Klosters it was finally easygoing to my planned turnpoint at 'Fergenhütte SAC': 3.5m/s climbing half accellerated :-))

near Chrüz

Here I turned back to Klosters and attempted to cross towards 'Gotschna', hoping to be able to continue towards 'Davos', but due to the wind I arrived rather low and spent the remainder of the flight just cruising arround.

avalanche barriers above Klosters

But considering the conditions it was an enjoyable flight for me. Back to my car in Schiers by train.

Arosa

A fine flying day here in Arosa, though the conditions on launch have not been the easiest ;-)

For quite a while ( > 15min) I had to scratch low over Arosa before climbing out again.

Weisshorn

Weisshorn Gipfel

Bernina

Marlies landing in Maran/ Golf course

PeterN landing in Maran

Thanks Peter for your assistance!