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Viso
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The
launch-point is getting busier now - a squadron of Swiss pilots turned up
yesterday and getting a launch at the correct time is becoming a bit of a
gamble. I opted for an early take-off, which is why I ended up spending
thirty minutes on Authon trying to get above the top. Another hitch on
Blayeul indicated that the day had not really got going - weak climbs,
difficult to find. This was repeated
on Guillaume - good thermodynamic lift for most of the mountain, but
difficult to find a way above the top. After another thirty minutes there
I gave up and flew via Clotinailles and Furan to Prachaval, keen to
put to rest my view that it is a difficult mountain to get away from. I
can report that it took me about one hour and some off-piste flying to
eventually get
me into a good place. My escape was a low level glide towards the col de
Vars, picking up whatever weak lift I could find on the way. As always,
the great looking cumulus was just out of reach but, with patience, I
eventually found a climb to 10,000ft and some sanity was restored. I
celebrated with a sandwich. |
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Italy
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Mont
Viso looked within reach, its summit clear of cloud for a change. There
were very few cumulus on the way, but every one worked and I reached
Viso's summit at 13,000ft, which allowed me the freedom to enjoy the
stunning views. Italy, as ever, was carpeted with cloud. Further
north I saw some high cumulus which appeared to be hanging over the
Vanoise and I wondered if I had enough time to take a look. So, northwards
I went across the Queyras, picking up a climb near Briancon and then
heading for Bardonecchia. The wind at this level was NW/25 knots and I
think there was some wave interference dampening the thermals there - the
Vanoise cumuli still looked just out of reach. If I was more daring, less
tired and it hadn't already passed 5pm I might have given it a go, but
instead I decided to call it a day and returned, via the scenic portion of
the Ecrins, to base. |
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Below Pelvoux
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