Annual autumn trip to Denbigh for the “North Hill Nomads” as Chris Gills calls the mixed DSGC crew that appear every year started with a classic day. Eagle BBB , Duo DD3 and Discus 230 hit the grid in amongst a keen group from Buckminster. Denbigh really is going from strength to strength under Chris Gill and getting a visit slot is now a question of booking early.
RASP was all “wave” “wave” and Chris typically buoyant! And so it was - tow straight into wave and away. BBB was first off and climbing through 10,000ft after a modest climb as the team came up. JB was already being whizzed around in Rod’s Arcus and heading up the Conway Valley as the mere mortals contemplated the wave jumps, (ed:The Arcus was forced to return early with an oxygen problem.)
Eagle BBB from Chris Gill in Arcus (Chula Rupasinha)
The Eagle stopped midway to Conway for photo opportunities with Chris at around 10,000ft. Alan and I slipped into the Conway wave having seen Chris Gill’s line round the end of the wave bar. For the first time in all the trips the Eagle has to Denbigh made the Conway wave!
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| North Coast of Wales in BBB (John Pursey) |
DD3 and 230 slipped in much higher and I believe 22,000ft was seen by both. Alan and I with our cabin oxygen system kept to more modest 15,000ft. A trip out towards Anglesey (Pete turned Menai Bridge) and the team enjoyed some fantastic views. A day spent mainly above 10k did get chilly but it was fantastic! Alan, having learnt the lesson with me on previous trips, wore just enough to not shiver uncontrollably but as Phil mentioned when the Duo temp gauge failed at minus 25 C “ it was cold!”
The Buckminster team were having a great day too with 3 Diamond heights! The day was “diamond” in all aspects and even though included a Denbigh classic approach to make you head straight for beer, it was fantastic! - John Pursey
"Absolute classic Denbigh day! Good wave which was cold and a ridge run which was bumpy - doesn't get any better! Used the height to get out to Menai Bridge and take a pic(which I missed) - hard going in the 60kt wind! Congrats to those who got their Diamonds today." Pete Startup
"Aerotow to 3,000ft (I like to pretend it's a real glider sometimes :-)). Slow start, but once going excellent wave and visibility. Had to break off at 22,000ft from cold." - Phil Morrison
