Airolo (Alpe Fieud)

As the fcst indicated (too) much wind in Fiesch, I've tried my luck south of the alps, So I drove across Nufenen pass to Airolo, than up the 'Tremola' to Gotthard hospiz and from there to a launch above Airolo: Alpe Fieud.

Biel (Goms)

Pano on launch (looking SE): Airolo/ Leventina

While waiting, 2 local pilots arrived, who have given me some valuable information regardin landing options and the status of the AD at Ambri.

one of the locals launching

'Tremola', the old road up the Gotthard pass. The road is still paved with cobblestones

looking NW: Bedretto valley, Nufenen pass, road to Gotthard pass

...the usual traffic jam in front of the south entrance to the Gotthard tunnel...

Just flying for 45 minutes, because I didn't 'trust' the wx  As this was my first flight here, I feared, that the valley wind could become too strong later in the afternoon.

no official LZ, but some decent landing options

Rather interesting was getting back to my car parked at launch: I just had missed by a few minutes the Post Bus departing Airolo at 1420, which would have brought me to a stop just 15 minutes from launch in less than 20 minutes. The next 'direct' bus would depart only at 1710, arriving at 1726. But there has been another option: the 'long way around': departing Airolo at 1458: trains via Göschen to Andermatt, then bus over the Gotthard pass, arriving at 1629.

Then back to Niederwald via Airolo and Nufenen pass. Today it felt that every biker in Switzerland (and surrounding countries) has been driving across the passes here ;-)