Pete & JP report from Denbigh
The BBC forecast showers on and off for much of the day. One look out of the window at the wave setting up and no weather to the West made you realise that was rubbish - how do they do it?
Gliders rigged and ready to go, the only problem was the rotor sat over the airfield and providing a nice tailwind at the launch point. Undeterred most people took launches and punched through the very rough rotor and connected with the wave over Denbigh, rough for the first 1500-2000 feet but then smoothing out to a nice 5kts to around 10,000 feet.
Some of the more clever/persistent/barking managed eventually to get into the primary wave with a couple of guys from Challock getting to FL195. I think from the NHL massive, JP and JB got the highest climbs to around 14k'. It was difficult to go very far though due to the cloud being largely filled in out to the West, although the Denbigh wave bar and associated gaps just sat there all day. The rotor stayed there too making for some exciting approaches and landings!
Fun, fun, fun. - Pete St 230
A day that had started with hangovers and the threat of rain turned into
another epic Denbigh day. With the wave bar bang overhead the site the
winch launches were challenging and straight into
the rotor. Careful milking of which allowed the transition into the
wave proper. Less careful or unlucky milking resulted in a bumpy return
to the site.
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| Classic lenticulars |
Great views and some classic lenticulars made it all
worthwhile with climbs available to what ever height
you fancied or felt comfortable with JB and JP went to 15,000ft but
Pete S and Ron both soared high as well.
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| Great views |
The ridge spent the day unused by all
except JB who with a last minute death wish tried it shortly before
landing in an attempt to get his adrenaline levels
up. The rotor around the circuit was immense and everyone grateful
when eventually their glider came to a halt.
But day - what a day! .- JP HOG
