Thursday at Chelan

The conditions had finally turned on more consistently for us today. After a slight lull in the launch cycles, we finally got off after the first group of pilots had already begun their crossing of the gap and on to the flats. I launched, scratched low for a bit, then hooked a nice thermal that pretty much hauled me up to 9200' where I crossed on over to the flats. Once over at the rim, I didn't really have a game plan and was floundering...start hunting for lift, then! I found a few nice dust devils to chase and went after them.

Within no time I was back up to 9k and decided to head on over the Mansfield. The cells were beginning to build there and there was indication of consistent lift by the numerous dusty's at the airport. I pulled on VG and headed on over. Wendy was at Mansfield, so I radioed in and said, "You get to have your ice cream today." Inside joke...Once over Mansfield, the lift was tremendous, and within time I was kissing 9k to 10k, but was getting swallowed by the dark grey cloud above the city. I could hear other pilots making their way to Mansfield from Sims, so I decided to tag Sims for an out and back...bad call.

By the time I was 1/2 way to Sims, the skies had opened up blue and the lift was dying. I then opted for a distance run and worked everything I could where I landed just east of Leahy for about a 32-mile run...a personal best nonetheless.





Final resting spot east of Leahy...

In retrospect, I should have headed back to the soccer field LZ from Mansfield for added points, but I am happy with the flight I had this day...

Time: 2 hours, 45 minutes

Distance: 32 miles (approximately)