Valley Lift

Click image for more photos!I picked up visitors from Yellowknife, NWT, Lisa and Bruce, from downtown Victoria and we joined up with Shabe, Natalie, Pierre, and Bruce K. on the ferry to Saltspring this morning. The wind was forecasted for strong NW and we could see it on the water during our crossing.

Soarable conditions were also forecasted (unstable lapse rate) so I was hopeful for extended flights. Kuno met us in the Landing Zone and we headed up to Lower Bruce where it was blowing in around 15kph+. Kuno launched first and reported bumpy conditions on the knoll but smoother lift out in the valley.

Natalie launched next, executing a perfect reverse launch in strong conditions, correcting as required. She picked a good line, crabbing west to compensate for the Burgoyne wind in the valley.

Bruce and I were next on deck and we picked a straight in and strong cycle that allowed for a two-step elevator launch (gotta love those!). We found and climbed in lift on the knoll and glided back over launch in time to watch Pierre get airborne as well as wave down to Lisa. Bruce and I climbed in strong lift all over the valley and cruised around until we'd had our fill.

Shabe was last in the air and was high over the LZ when the rest of us headed back up for another flight. Bruce K., meanwhile, decided to see if conditions would mellow out for his first flight in a few months' time.

Back up again and this time Pierre launched first, vario-batteries correctly inserted, and preceded to sky out. He was test flying the KORTEL Kamasutra II harness which I think had something to do with it :)

Click image for more photos!I then launched on tandem with Lisa who helped with a solid run and we were soon enjoying the autumn views of the Fulford-Burgoyne Valley. We followed Pierre up in some strong climbs where the shade from Bruce Peak touched the sun in the valley and were later joined briefly by Bruce K. and then Kuno who flew across the valley and then east towards Fulford, taking in the sights of his home island.

Conditions in the LZ were tricky, and the bail out field was used more often than not, so please keep that in mind when flying this site if the valley is producing lift. Congrats to Bruce K. on his first flight here and to Pierre on his hour plus soaring session! It was nice to say we had to land because I could see our ferry coming in!

And, to Bruce and Lisa, what can I say?
It was your day guys.

Here's a video taken during Lisa's flight: