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Col de Carro
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Getting away from Authon...
...and les Monges
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The forecast was once again good for flights to the north so
we made plans to get a bit further than I had managed yesterday. Another
late start while we waited for the valley breeze and thermals to work, then
a tow up to Trainon, a glide to Authon and a series of climbs to Oratoire
where we found a cumulus and a strong climb to 9,500ft. We were off!
You'll know the form by now: a glide to Dormillouse,
nothing much at Morgon, some ridge-soaring at Guillaume and another strong
climb to 10,500ft at the tete de Lucy. Then, over the col de Terre Blanche,
tete de Peyron, the col d'Etroit and along the edge to the col d'Etache.
Ahead of us we could see high cloudbases in the Modane
valley so we felt comfortable about pressing on over Solliere.
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Low clouds streamed across the lac Cenis from the Italian
valleys to the east, while directly above them were working cumulus from the
French side. I'm not sure I'll ever get used to thermalling above
cumulus...
We carried on up the valley for another climb on
Charbonnel to 13,200ft which was enough to reach the col de Carro. The Mont
Blanc called invitingly but after hearing a radio call about deteriorating
conditions in the Briancon area, we reluctantly turned for home.
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Lac Cenis
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In the Maurienne
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The trip back involved a little experience of which ridges
should work at 6:30pm. No problem getting back over the col d'Etache, and
the mountains near Chaberton offered a climb or two. We couldn't get the
climb required at the tete de Peyron for a direct route home via the pas de
la Cavale, so we flew past Furan and Clotinailles to Guillaume which gave us
just enough height to scrape past Malaup for a comfortable finish back at
Sisteron.
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We concluded that we had done well today although, of course,
not as well as the local experts. Messages were received from Sisteron
pilots flying over Aosta*, the Matterhorn and Mont Blanc, proving once again
that I am not as capable as I think I should be - perhaps I need to go on a
course!
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Col de Carro
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* A short note about Aosta airfield, before I forget: the
runway is shortly to be dug up and replaced. Currently it is available, and
should be for the next month, but once work starts it will not be possible
to land there, which may influence visitors' decisions regarding soaring in
the Aosta valley. Work is expected to take one year...
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