It was a mission we'd been wanting to do for a long time. Fly out to a mountain in the Scenic Rim after launching from Mt Tamborine about 40km away. Top land, camp and then fly back the next day. The conditions required to pull this off are very specific. Northerly wind on the way out and then a Westerly the next day to bring us back.

We had tried this mission a couple of weeks earlier but the conditions weren't suitable and we couldn't get far from launch. It was disappointing to have prepared so much for the volbiv only to bomb out in Canungra with packs laden with supplies.

This time the conditions looked great but we kept the excitement in check as we set up to launch. A high cloudbase meant we could get high climbs and glide far. Good lapse rate due to cool spring air meant thermals would be strong. Light wind meant we could fly headwind if needed without a big penalty. A great first climb straight off launch confirmed the forecast.

We might actually be able to pull it off this time!

But as is often the case, we lost one of our team members Norbert to relentless sink. When the climbs are strong, so is the sink. And if you end up in the wrong place you may not be able to find the next thermal before the strong sink drills you into the ground. It was sad to lose Norbert but the XC gods seemed to be pleased with our sacrifice and conditions improved for the rest of us.

But it wasn't easy sailing either. Carol left the Ham for a better climb and encountered some really nasty air in the coastal air converging with the westerly airmass. I got quite low at the end of the Illinbah valley and struggled against strong valley wind that pinned me until a thermal helped me climb out. The sink was so strong that I saw Dave approaching me from quite high at one point and just a couple of minutes later he was scratching well below me as I climbed out. Fortunately he hung on and found a strong climb out. Carol joined us again at this point.

We had to fly in almost direct headwind towards the Fort from here. At times we were barely moving forward in 30km/hr wind. Finally the fort was within glide. The sky was still booming and some pilots flew into the Caldera. We had to fight that temptation and stick to the plan to land at the Fort. Carol landed on the East side of the Fort and Dave on the West and then walked up. It was a hot day and we used up the water quite fast. But thanks to Carol, at least our Kraken supply was in no danger of running out.

Norbert couldn't pass on an opportunity to punish himself and made his way to the mountain and hiked up in record time carrying vital supplies.

Conditions weren't great the next day but Carol was still able to make it almost all the way back winning the golden nugget award. The mission remains unfinished. We'll just have to keep trying 🙂

The Fort is private property and requires prior permission to fly from. Get in touch if interested in flying there.

свернуть