US'22 (9.9.) - High Lonsome Fly-in

(FRI) First day of the High Lonsome Fly-in 2022 (HLF), so we had to leave our motel at Parachute at 0730: registration at 0800, then driving to the LZ, from where the shuttles to the launch departed. This has taken just a little less than an hour on a dirt track, which wouldn't permit any crossing, so the shuttles were driving in a convoi. This track is about as bad as the 'road' to Roan...

Brian and his crew have put a tremendous amount of effort/ work into making this Fly-in happen, especially in getting the road in shape and preparing the launches - many thanks!!!

view from East launch looking South towards LZ 

East launch

HLF launch areas: East launch (left), West launch (tarp), Parking to the right of West launch

launch area from higher up

With so many pilots it has taken quite a while until all have been airborne; luckily the East laucnh could be used, as it is about 3-4 times bigger than the West launch. Otherwise it would have taken even longer to get everybody into the air. (Too) many blown launches have made the 'process' even longer :-((

We (Andy, Stacy and I) have been among the last to launch. But by now thermals have become 'reliable' and permitted nice climbs. Around 3000m there seemd to be a confluence of several thermals and climbing became 'sporty' and big (8m/s); at about 3400m I decided to leave this area, heading South towards the valley entrance, thereby reaching up to 70kmh gnd speed. When I turned towards the LZ my glide ratio has been reduced to 2.2, so I decided to 'go over the back' and land in the next valley...

very impressive and fascinating landscapes...

my LZ: at the upper end of the 'green' field

Landing then has been quite uneventful in a steady SE-wind; after having packed my glider at the farm house in the pix, I contacted Andy and Stacy (which both meanwhile had also landed, as they felt conditions got sporty enough) via my inReach and it did not take too long until I had been picked up.

Unfortunately, the winds remaind (too) strong for an afternoon flight, so we returend to Parachute. Tomortow (SAT) we'll be heading out to the High Lonesome Ranch again.