Wedgie near Beechmont launch (can you see the hang glider as well?)
There was a nice SE 15knt breeze blowing at Beechmont launch when Regan, Big Trev, Nick, Flocky and myself arrived at launch. There was no hesitation from any of us to set up. It looked great. We launched and all went up fairly quickly to cloud base. Pete, Marty and Ant had Jon Jnr to help them go cross country. So there were a few people in the air when we were greeted by a juvinile Wedgetail Eagle. He (or she, I couldn't quite tell) was very curious and flew with about 3 of us for a few minutes each, coming very close. I had heaps of height, so pulled out my camera for some pics. As you can see he was quite close. This one of the perks of hang gliding, being able to soar like an eagle, with one.
Looking toward NNE and Hinze Dam from Beechmont
Looking South over Numinbah Valley and Mt Warning (Spot the hang glider)So, whilst taking my pics, I lost a fair bit of height and missed my opportunity to go West over the back on XC. There some nice cloud lines out in front over the valley, so I ventured out and was rewarded with a nice 500ft per min up. I called Ant over and we climbed to base at around 4,000ft. It is winter isn't it? Jonny came over and a few of us headed west. On the way to Hinchcliff I headed to a nice looking cloud just north of hinchcliff's over the valley. At first I thought it would be just a light one, but then after venturing a little further West I couldn't believe what I was in. 700ft p/m up on the averager turning into 1,000 up with a little adjustment. One of the fasted climbs to base I'd ever had.
Regan came in under me and soon I was at 4,800ft. I pasted Jonny waiting for Marty to climb back to base at Hinchcliff launch. He was complaining about the cold and with good reason. It was about 9 degrees at base. We had cloud streets heading West. So halfway across the Kerry Valley I stopped for another good climb to base.
Regan climbing underneath in the Kerry Valley
Looking East from the Kerry to O'riellys valley and Hinchcliff flat topThermalling over Mt French
Jonny had set a task of Beaudesert and on to the Model Airfield for Marty and Ant. But the day was great and I wanted to go further. So Regan and I agreed on Boonah, even though we had no driver. So Regan climbed above me while I was taking some pics and headed off. I climbed some more and gave chase. We got another climb over Mt Mohomet. Again Regan was above me and headed off. I was quite a bit lower and stayed to get more height. As I got to base I saw Regan getting low over the Rathdowney Rd. He found a climb and I headed off. Regan was just leaving that one when I got there.
As I climbed I watched Regan hit nothing and in the middle of the Boonah ranges crossing he started to turn, so I followed again. But he only did a couple of turns and headed off. I had already committed to the crossing and was worried if I'd get accross. I stopped where Regan had because there was a peak below and cloud above. It was scrappy light lift. I saw Regan get nothing and land East of Boonah. I was at 2,500ft and only maintaining. Landing options were available but didn't look ideal. I kept working the lift and gradually climbed. Relieved to be high again I headed to Boonah.
Not sure what to do now, I heard Warren on the radio and we decided to make Lake Moogera our goal. Nick was on his way and Trev caught up with me at Boonah. I found good lift on the North end of Mt French and got back to 5,000ft where I decided to take a few more pics of the awesome scenery. Trev headed toward Aratula and got low, but got back up again.
As I climbed I watched Regan hit nothing and in the middle of the Boonah ranges crossing he started to turn, so I followed again. But he only did a couple of turns and headed off. I had already committed to the crossing and was worried if I'd get accross. I stopped where Regan had because there was a peak below and cloud above. It was scrappy light lift. I saw Regan get nothing and land East of Boonah. I was at 2,500ft and only maintaining. Landing options were available but didn't look ideal. I kept working the lift and gradually climbed. Relieved to be high again I headed to Boonah.
Not sure what to do now, I heard Warren on the radio and we decided to make Lake Moogera our goal. Nick was on his way and Trev caught up with me at Boonah. I found good lift on the North end of Mt French and got back to 5,000ft where I decided to take a few more pics of the awesome scenery. Trev headed toward Aratula and got low, but got back up again.
Over Mt French
Looking toward Moogera
So four of us landed at Lake Moogera after an absolutely awesome winters day. Just over 2 hours of flying and I covered about 70km. I couldn't believe how good a day it was for this time of year. SE Qld rocks.Claire was there to pick us all up and meet Regan in Boonah pub for a few beers and then take us all back to Canungra. Thanks Warren and Claire.
Nick
Big Trev setting up to land
Big Trev and WarrenWarren coming in to land
