So, we went up again today, not knowing what to expect as NOAA hasn't been that accurate on the forecasts. Listening to the AWOS on top of Copper was leading us to believe that we would be blown out, with NOAA saying light winds at 5 to 10 mph. We went up a little later today, arriving at launch about 2:45 pm. Conditions looked ten times better then the day before, but it still seemed light. It was a popular day as we had visiting pilots from the front range, Dan and two Mikes, a new pilot named Peso, and a visiting pilot from Seattle, Rob, his girlfriend Jaime, and his friend Matt who lives here in Vail. Jaime and Matt were up for a tandem, so we hooked them up. It was awesome to see four Hangies come up for the evening,lead by the famous Thane Chase.
Cycles were fairly straight in, then a little south, and a little north, but mostly straight in and light. So the front range boys got their kit ready, and Mike and Dan launched and climbed out immediately. Though it was light, it seemed pretty lifty. Alot different then the day before. Then the tandems, then Rob. Climbing out was quite nice, Jaime and I had no trouble right off launch, and a climb out to about 700 over launch. After boating around a little, we found an awesome thermal just north of launch and climbed out in 800 feet per minute smooth thermal to 11,200 msl. Jaime was very happy, I was very happy, and we flew around launch for a while deciding to land after a 45 minute ride. Mike Jobin climbed to about 13,000 msl, and got the highest of the day. Several of us decided to land about the same time, and then the Hangies were off, catching a nice glass off that seemed to start around 5:00 pm. Peso launched about 6:00 pm and was happy to get four decent flights for a full day.
It turned out to be a beautiful fall afternoon of flying. It looks like the next several days are going to shut us down with a front approaching, but stay tuned. Until the snow flies we will be up in the air. Cheers!
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