Gallery Rosendal slope soaring

[mikegbogh]

Hi All,
Just a short post on the Rosendal 2009 slope week from Aug 30th to Sept 6 th. The Rosendal slope event lasts the week with some entrants camping right on top of the mountain for the event. My group went down for the weekend 5th and 6th September and unfortunately missed the fantastic westerlies that blew through on thursday, Grobbie measured winds at the lip of 70 + kmph and some excellent flying was had.
Saterday started really northerly but swung around to north westerly during the day, with the odd strong thermal comming through and occasionally swinging onto the west facing slope. The pilots with electric gliders made the most of the conditions and were able to get back up out of the patches of sink and land back on top, except one pilot who eventually landed at the bottom of the cliff , but after the long drive around to the base recovered his glider.
Late saterday 16-00hrs as the sun started setting it was time to experience the "valley release" as the heated rockface gives off heat and the air flows upwards and compresses in the bowl like a chimney, great fun flying a light glider in these smooth bouyant conditions, which last well after the sun is set.
A great weekend on a spectacular slope ,but unfortunately not ideal for big sailplanes, it may be too late in the season (September)as this slope works best , mid winter, when the post frontal westerlies blow.

Regards
Mike

[cvanscho]

What a spot ! Good report, Mike!