Japan -day 9: Kabuto-Iwa

Today Rick gave us to options: Ueno to the South, which a possibility of too much wind or Kabuto-Iwa (near Dainkabo). We choose to go to Kabuto, as we already had 'scouted' the site, so we'd loose no time by having to check out everything before I could fly.
I was able to make 2 flights: the first one just a sledder to the local LZ.

looking towards Mt.Aso

looking back to launch

I was quickly picked up by Yuko and we drove back up to launch for a second flight. This time the thermals had been established quite nicely and I could fly towards Daikanbo (as Rick had suggested I'd try).

Kabuto-Iwa launch

Mt.Aso in the back ground

Today Mt.Aso was more active than usual 'spitting' some dust and smoke. The level of activity was such that it was even mentioned on the TV news nationwide.

over Daikanbo launch

Easy going until Daikanbo, but then I 'blew' it. Flying more East I couldn't find any more thermals so I landed in an abandoned rice paddy. There was just one other pilot at Daikanbo; he launched to the SSE, but couldn't find also anything....

After being picked up by Yuko again, we drove through the Aso mountains. This road had been closed until recently due to the 2016 earthquake. And still a major road is closed as they have to replace a collapsed bridge.

Mt.Aso

What's noticeable, not only here, but all over Japan: Japanes tend to try to 'tame' nature by using concrete. Whole mountain sides are covered by concrete to hoping this will hinder landslides and such.

Later a visit to a local Onsen and dinner...