After missing out on the flying opertunities during the week I was keen to get some airtime
The forecast was for westerly winds. Strongish but dropping during the evening. Some discussion on the group but no one really that keen on the conditions
West is not that good a direction for our sites so after discussing things with Tommy a plan was made to head out and look at a westerly option between Sundhope and Witchieknowe.
By the time I made it to Etrick the plan had changed. Deephope or Home Law.
We flew Home Law last year after the nationals round.
It was OK but sheltered slightly by Annelshope Hill so I was more tempted to look at DeepHope. (I didn't know the name untill looking on the map for the writeup).
When you look on the map it shows a load of forestry but most of this has been cut. We parked at the bridge and walked up. The hill is a bit of a mess with all the cut trees and other forestry related debris so slope landing was pretty much out. The road up is quite wide in places so technically there are options but... I'd rather not have to take them.
There is a nice grassy (slightly tussocky) area near the top next to the road for taking off.
The walk up was not too bad. Just follow the forestry track up the front. There is a tempting track going up at one point but sticking to the road takes you up and round without any problems. It would be top drivable if there wasn't a rather solid locked gate.
got to the top. Quite strong but a bit of a southerly element to it. We wandered about for a bit. Watched some birds fly. Then wandered about a bit more.
I think the lack of slope landing options held me back. and not knowing what the air was doing out front.
Bottom landing options looked do-able so long as there was not big sink. Nothing on the hill implied there was sink but...new site. difficult ground conditions.
and..
The breeze definitely had a bit of a southerly component.which wasn't hugely ideal.
The sky was a bit interesting too. There was a line of clouds just to the west of us. They were pretty stationary.
after pondering this for a while we started to conclude it was a wave bar. Sure enough it got smoothed out and it looked like wave. More defined to the north of us (mountbenger and beyond).
Another look and they were back to normal(ish) clouds. and then 7 or 8 min later back to more defined/streamlined wave clouds.
The combination of.. new site. limited slope landing options. slightly off wind and a hint of wave finally persuaded Tommy to put the glider back in the bag.
We then walked back down the hill. As we did so the sun was close to setting and all the clouds dissipated. well apart from the clouds of midges!
It was worth scoping out the hill. Definitely an option (for more experienced pilots until we suss the conditions out more) in a westerly.
Jamie
