Convergences

Stylish French instructor and tow pilot...

... and, Oh dear

As predicted the day was hotter still today: 33 degrees at least. Launching started at 1130 and it was much, much easier to get away. That said, there remain those who will take a tow behind the 180 HP tug VH, and those who insist on the 235HP tug WZ. VH has a habit of dragging its sorry ass into the air and has a skid fitted apparently for this specific purpose. I can only say that the tows I've had behind VH have been just fine.

The 4 kt climb on the local ridge went to nearly 8,000' making the jump to Pic de Bure easy. Similarly, the cross to the Ecrins all happened well above the tops and we were quickly past Glacier Blanc and up to the Sollieres valley. Cloudbase was now 13,000' and it really looked we were on for a run into Switzerland again. However, as we passed Grand Roc Noir and approached Gran Paradiso the weather to the North East looked rather soft and whilst we could have carried on it seemed a shame to leave such good conditions behind us. So we instead turned and headed South towards Castellane. The climb of the day was encountered just abeam Briancon and was a healthy 11.5kts from 10,000 up to 13,500. The run from there was down the convergence line on the Italian border and led us straight on down to the turn. A run back up to Bardonecchia gave us 557kms at 91 kph - not bad given we travel at the speed of the slowest glider - which changes continuosly. Slower but far more sociable!

The glide back over the Ecrins was very straightforward and we arrived back on site with plenty of energy for the necessary procedures. One maxi entrecote later and it's time to grab a few hours kip before it all starts over again...

Cake of the day: Battenburg