Made it to South island just ahead of the rugby sevens in Wellington -well done England., with a nice smooth crossing (- no worries Mark L).
100kms drive to probably the remotest gliding club we've ever been to - Nelson Lakes, a 1.5 km x 100m east west paddock with ridges and foothills on both sides and big mountains within reach.There was a small farm building housing 2 twin Acros and a single Astir. Behind the hangar was ' a long drop' and by the launch point a large garden shed for a clubhouse.
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| Scenic Grid |
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| Downwind right hand into Lake Station, Nelson |
It was lovely day, with cloud still on the mountains at first, the breeze was down the strip and the usual assortment of local gliding people who were far outnumbered by the swarms of large Bumble bees.
Local knowledge suggested that it wouldn't be soarable for a while so we sat around and chatted with the friendly locals.
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| Do ya thinks it's working mate? Club house gallery. |
CFi Rob launched his Nimbus 2 and disappeared for several hours, but the other locals were still circuit bashing from 1400ft winch launches. We launched just after 2pm, wit duty instructor Kerry, but couldn't do any better.
Late afternoon, Pete had another go and the single seaters also started soaring.
Pete and Kerry picked up a 4 kt thermal off the winch, to near cloudbase at 3000ft above site (airfield 1700ft amsl). Then flew along the line of the home ridge close to cloud-base then got onto the Mount Robert ridge and with an increasing westerly wind allowed them to follow the rising mountain crests and cloud-bases until they were at 7000ft and 30 kms south of the site.
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The peak just left of centre under the cumulus is 7000ft, Mt Cupola
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| Incredible Craggy Rocks of Mt Cupola at 7000' |
- Jill and Pete.
See where Jill and Pete are click on the links.
Lake Station Airport
Mt Cupola, South of Lake Station
