After a short day yesterday (for me anyway) the pysche returned and it was a happy bunch heading for launch in anticipation after a rather later start than optimal. Despite me moaning about being late jon insisted we walk up (thanks it was good for me even if it didnt feel like it at the time!) and got in the air about half two. Forecast and sky were good with no OD risk but higher met wind on the way for the end of day was mentioned.
Jon and I shared quick climbs up to the teeth in thermals with a pronounced drift in the SW met wind which was driving the thermals round the N end of the teeth. Jon had already shouted the task he wanted to try - heading to the Mole near Mieussy and then taking the range of hills to the NW of Mieussy towards Lake Geneva and although I probably wouldnt have tried going that way in a SW myself I followed eagerly to Parmelan where we got a nice climb to 2500m before diving round the corner towards Sommet d'Andey. I missed the first leeside climb that Jon got and after that I was guinea pig - ahead and low making the most of the glide close to the trees. Thermal theory said that there should be some N inflow/valley breeze at least at low levels into the mouth of the valley below d'Andey (this is the valley that leads up to St Jean le Sixt) and indeed there was just enough to maintain on the NW facing spur when I got there.
Eventually, we worked our way up and I sussed the side ways (NW) drift of a feeder thermal towards a ridge line exposed to the SW met wind higher up quicker and got the jump on Jon after a satisfyingly swift climb from the ridge line to 2500m. No waiting as you gotta use your height in this game and I struck out for the summit of the Mole relishing the view and the memories of having been on the same glide on my first big flight in the Alps in spring 2003.
I quick top up on the Mole and its decision time. I decide against jon's ridge line - it looks small and quite a wooded route so head to Mieussy where another easy transition puts me above launch where a couple of other gliders are climbing ineffectively. I decided to fly across the wide bowls towards Pte Marcelly and its not long before i hit a good one.
Its quickly approaching a more serious decision time now as the drift is still strong from the SW and there is a fair amount of high, roadless and snow covered terrain over the back. But with a few wisps of cloud to go for and feeling the force is strong i go for it and fly through some amazing terrain. After working some zeros in the middle just to make sure, its clear I have a glide out and arrive high on the spur above Montriond (ha, this is where Owen got to in 2003!).
I fail to climb out from this spur as there is only gusty inconsistent lift so head N again down the valley. Huge powerlines cross the valley and of course its low over one of these that i get a climb out (why does this always happen) and get to base under what looks like a rather black cloud street leading NE to Switzerland.
Unfortunately, I bottle it. In spite of no signs of increasing met wind - it is still 15 or 20 kph from the SW I am concerned about trying to cross the near 3000m ridge before the border so take a more conservative line N towards Lake Geneva which is still spectacular and spend some time just hanging out on the peaks close to the lake and the border wondering what landings are like if I glide round the corner towards Villeneuve. Scheisse, should have packed my passport!
While wondering indecisively about higher winds coming and even lake/low level winds and while still in orbit I spot a glider setting up to land 10k away on the lake shore. Its not til I land beside him that I realise the other glider is Jon who can't believe it either. He had gone NW from Mieussy as originally intended and had an exciting full frontal after squeaking low through a col to get a glide to the lake.
Hitching back was a whole other adventure (a very cute girl who flirted a lot with us, a poseur in his monster V8 truck going out on the pull in Geneve, the sky-diver going home for dinner, the guy who invited us to his village country and western festival the following weekend and several more).
Damn no camera!
