Crucita: days 3 / 4

Sat (6.1.) turned into a very beautiful day; in the end the wind became rather strong (at least for me). But wth the guidance of Igor I have been able to perform my very first (for real) Cobra-launch (not just training). After just a few minutes over 2 hours I toplanded in 25+kmh winds :-))  At first we have been using 'Aerodromo', but as the winds veered a bit more to the West we changed to 'Guacachina'. I launched only once (from 'Guacachina'.)

Gene Castro

Gudrun

Cobra launch (by Oleg)

Crucita (Gudrun)

Remark: there are 3 launches here in Crucita, not to far apart. Top landing is possible on all 3... At 'Guacachina' there is also a small kiosk and a toilet. For landing at high tide there are 2 options; at low tide anywhere on the beach.

Sun (7.1.) at 0930 we left for 'San Clemente' (about 45' by car). Here 'Helge' has created on his properity (a bit north of this village), a nice lunch. Just 35asl, but that's has been more than enough for the very smooth conditions we could experience today.. Helge, with the help of his tractor, drove all of your luggage from his house to launch - including me ;-)

Breakfast (by the pool)

Hostal Voladores

Helge's place

launch (looking North)

Launch

looking South (San Clemente)

Helge's Place (landing on the beach in front)

After about 2hrs flight time I landed at Helge's place, especially as it looked as if it would start to rain... With the exception of Holger, all the rest of our group landed at San Clemente's 'Punta Bikini'...

Crucita: days 1 / 2

looking North towards 'Crucita'; our hostal ('Hostal Voladeros') is the high rise in the middle of the pix

large launch, easily toplandable

Yesterday (4.1.) afternoon - after having rested a bit - I had a look at launch; actually there are 3 launches, which take care of slightly different wind directions. But it is HOT and HUMID here!

re: my iPhone: I'll pick it up on the evening of 11.1. when I'm passing through UIO again. Until then it's safely stored at the airport security...

our main launch

Thur (5.1.): I had a much better night: the cough stopped shortly after midnight and then I was able to sleep quite well. The cough stayed "away" until late afternoon, when it came back sporadically.

A little later than anticipated, the seabreeze finally set in, permitting everybody to make 1 or more flights. I could made 3 flights (with decent reverse launches), allways toplanding - but there is still quite some room for improving ;-)

all 3 launches (looking South)

all 3 launches (looking North)

looking North from my most southern point today...

Tomorrow we'll be flying again here; Sunday another site (about 45min away)

EC / CO 2024 -Travel (Part2)

The aircraft left BOG on time and we landed at UIO shortly before midnight. 

departing BOG

Immigtation and customs into Ecuador have been easy and quick. But the following hours -before I could check in for the flight to Manta (MEC)- have been a real 'pain in the a...': little space to sit, only later I've found a place I could actually lay down for a while. But already the whole day I had some choughing spells, which while lying became especially bad...

Unfortunately I had left my second iPhone (with the WhatsApp contacts) at security check in UIO and when I finally realized this, it has been too late to get back and pick it up again :-(( Luckily the App 'where is' keeps track of my iPhone (something extremely helpful). The problem: I (or someone I know) needs to pick it up at security in UIO...  

departing UIO

UIO-MEC

arriving MEC

The flight to MEC lasted only 35' and I have been  picked up by a taxi driver Michael had organized; 45' later I arrived at my destination in Crucita. After having said hello I finally had a good, albeit short, rest. All-in-all more than 28hrs travel time and more than 33hrs being on my feet.

EC / CO 2024 -Travel (Part1)

Meanwhile I have arrived in Bogota (BOG). The flight departed late (connecting passengers) and with headwinds up to 90kts flightime (12h20') was much longer than blocktime (12h05'): meaning that we landed about an hour late. I didn't really mind, as my ground time (planned 6h10') here in BOG was long enough to 'abosrb' any delays ;-)

AirTags are a cool thing: as I could see that my bags had arrived at the aircraft...

Edelweiss Air A340

Departing on Rwy 32

passing almost over the sunk 'Titanic'

actual route flown

In 1h30' my flight to Quito (UIO) is supposed to depart (STA 2340)...

On the road again :-)) EC / CO 2024: 'the plan'

Tomorrow (3.1.), finally my travel to Ecuador and Colombia will be starting :-))

It will be a very long day: roughly 28hours until reaching Crucita in Ecuador... ZRH-BOG: 12hrs; Layover BOG (Bogota): 5hrs; BOG-UIO: 2hrs -arriving in Quito shortly before midnight (local); UIO-MEC: 1hr - arriving in Manta at 0700, then by taxi to Crucita (30'). I have checked-in my luggage tonight, so I'll be having just cabin luggage to take along to the airport in the morning. The main luggage should be checked through all the way to UIO.

In Crucito, everything is organized by Michael, Gudrun and Peter (Nitsche), while for Colombia I have (hopefully!) find a good guide (Edgar). Here I have organised everything by myself. I have 'found' Edgar by contacting several people in CO I know. He's made a good impression while exchanging serveral e-mails and calls...

Season's Greetings!!

...for those I have forgotten in my mails - or where it landed in their spam folder ;-)

 

Meteoblue

 

...Meteoblue's forecast seems to be way off today...

Arosa (3 days)

Sat: a nice NE-wind permitted even some soaring at the Weisshorn (above the so-called 'Telefonhang'). 1st flight to Isla, 2nd flight to Chur - all-in all an hour of flying :-)

Pix by Webcam ;-)

Isla

Isla

Sun: much less wind and much trickier to launch. A lot of pilots in the afternoon... 2 flights: 1st to LAW-Mitte; 2nd to Chur.

(pix by webcam)

Mon: another beautiful day with very little wind. Just a(nother) sledder to Chur before driving back home.

Arosa

Taking advantage of another beautiful day :-))

Unfortunately, I have not been able to launch for a second flight: 3*RTO due to x-wind :-(

Arosa

What a great winter day: plenty of fresh snow, plenty of sun: so all the skiers should be happy today. And with almost no wind, we paragliders are happy too :-) Temperature on the 'cool' side ;-)

Just an extended sledder to Chur (>30') in perfectly calm air with even a with of thermals before landing...