17 Jun 04

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Blue Skies

A better day was forecast today, with fewer showers, although there was still that north in the wind that was not quite strong enough for reliable wave but fresh enough to make the thermals difficult to use. Conditions to the north looked good, so we set off in that direction, via Blayeul, Dormillouse, tête de Lucy and Pelvoux. After a short retreat from Bardonnecchia, I found it possible to continue into the Sollieres valley via the col d'Etache. 


The view from the grid


Near Mont Cenis

I encountered tricky conditions near Mont Cenis and was unable to get a decent climb. Hearing reports that a few gliders had managed to contact wave, I realised that the thermals against the mountains were being damped out by the wave, so I moved out a little into the valley and found a knot or so of smooth lift. This only gave me an extra 1000ft but it was enough for me to reach another climb at Charbonnel and gave me the opportunity to fly up to the col du Carro once again. Cloudbase further north looked too low to continue, but in truth I had spent long enough getting this far so I decided to fly back towards home.
Passing back through the col d'Etache was easy enough, and I was soon over the landable field at le Rosier (number 25 in your hymn-book, and well worth visiting on foot first).

A good climb to the south of Briancon got me over the Queyras up to the col d'Agnel, near Mont Viso.


Le Rosier


Col d'Agnel

Then followed a magnificent 70km glide that took me to the col de Vars, across the Barcellonette valley, onto the parcours and then past the Cheval Blanc, the Montagne de Coupe and all the way to the Gorge du Verdon. This was using the parcours as it was meant. After turning the pont d'Aiguines I headed for home

Day total: 440km
Logger

 

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