JP'23: Kanemi-dake

Monday (1.5.) Today's fcst called for increasing NW-winds. Yesterday at Kirikabu all pilots which we had asked about Monday's wx have told us, that most probably it would be too strong to fly. Rick then suggested that we go to Kanemi-dake, as there might be a flyable window between 1100-1230... This site is often the only flyable place in Kyushu in these kind of conditions.

LZ at Kanemi-dake: probably one of the nicest LZs worldwide: huge with nicely trimmed grass

When we arrived nobody was at the LZ. Contacting Rick he told us that later some pilots would be arriving, which - most imposrtantely - would know where the key to the fence on launch was to be found.

And that has been exactly my problem today...

if you look closely, there is a cable running across launch

...as conditions for launching have been really nice for quite a while. But soon after Shawn and brother Jake arrived, found the key and the 'fence' had been finally removed, the wind started steadily to pick up. Both could (reverse) launch and also found some nice thermals. I on the other hand -after my accident while ground handling 2 months ago on Lanzarote- still don't feel really confortable at reverse launching and so soon the wind became too strong for my liking. 'My' window has been about 10minutes. But (again) Rick's predictions hav been spot-on!

Pano looking West

Jake - showing how it should be done ;-)

...fighting the (increasing) wind

After having packed up we drove back down and to the nearest onsen for a dip. On the way back we wanted to visit a natural park (suggested by Rick), but the area was closed due to renovation :-(  Back to Kumamoto and dinner: the left-overs of the risotto I had cooked Saturday.