Je Suis un Bâtard!

I just figured out that there has been a technical problem with my previous posts that has stripped out the stories leaving only the pictures. I'll try to restore the text when I can get onto a wifi connection.

Yesterday we saw the best conditions since Nikki and I arrived three days ago. People were getting very high early on, under some really sweet looking fluffy clouds, and I was excited to think I might have a chance to finally make my way out of the valley to Plaine Joux.

On launch, Thom said "guys, I'm tired of going to Plaine Joux all the time, can't we cruise around the other end of the valley today?" I have to admit I kind of lost it, and I unloaded some uncharacteristic but choice words on poor Thom. Starting with "Shut up, dude!!!" I was so fixated on accomplishing my six-year XC dream that I guess I kind of had a stick up my butt. Sorry, Thom!

We all launched and tried to work our way above the ridge. The thermals were nice and organized and there were loads of pilots in the air to help mark the lift (and sink). Mad Dog and Berndt headed over the back directly from the peak above launch, le Brevent. Nikki and Duck were super high above the the last peak at the bottom of the valley, le Aiguillette, and I was just below the top of that peak struggling to connect with anything to get above it. Those two headed over the back and I just decided to follow from where I was, skirting around the corner of the summit.

The valley behind was enormous - like five miles across. I started to think I'd made a terrible mistake to start across from so low, especially seeing duck so specked out above me. At least there were lots of landable looking fields and pastures all over the valley.

I could see Mad Dog and Berndt working thermals on the granite wall of the ridge line deeper back in the valley, working their way out to the launch at Plaine Joux. Me and Duck were making a beeline directly to the launch plateau. Not sure how Nick got over, probably same as me and Duck.

As i approached, I watched Berndt tracking along the cliff face toward launch, but he was not finding much lift and I was starting to wonder if he'd get there high enough to topland. Turns out he was just a few meters too low, and he cruised by launch without getting any lift, so he continued past, looking for anything that might work, but without success, finally going to the LZ.

Now it was my turn. I was headed directly for the launch plateau but it was looking bad - I would probably come in just a bit too low and suffer the same fate as poor Berndt. Sure enough, I buzzed right across the launch, with several gliders laid out, but I was just about 5 meters too low to topland. I couldn't believe I could be this close to my dream flight and then be denied by 15 feet. But then, just past launch, I felt a nibble of lifting air. Beep. Beep, beep... I turned sharply over the huge pine trees, gritting my teeth and hoping I was turning the right direction too stay in this light little updraft. I wasn't sinking - and actually I was starting to climb. I focused all my worn out brainpower on just staying in that weak column of rising air. Suddenly I found myself just above the trees and the toplanding area rose into sight. I dove back to set up a landing, but not deep enough, and I was hurtling towards the launch now and mostly likely would fly off and away. No!!! I started flapping my brakes in a desperate attempt to keep from overshooting the launch, and I dropped down onto my feet in a bit of a parachutal stall just a meter from the edge. The wing fluttered down and I collapsed to my knees, overcome with relief and a wave of happiness.

Duck came in much higher, a few moments later, and we decided to celebrate our first XC to Plaine Joux with a glass of wine at one of the restaurants up there. Meanwhile Nikki had arrived super high at the top of the ridge behind launch, following Mad Dog, but he didn't find much up there and soon came down to join us. Then we watched Frosty John arrive slightly too low, gliding by just below launch and following Berndt down to the LZ. After a few glasses of wine we watched Mad Dog come down for a perfect toplanding, and we all celebrated our good fortune and good company. We were joined by our new British friend Baz who had also achieved his first flight from Chamonix - he had launched from the north side of the Aiguille!

We launched again after the effect of the libations had worn off a bit, but our motivation had waned by this time, and we soon found ourselves at the LZ with Berndt where we enjoyed many rounds of beer from the little bar down there. We were joined by some cool Danish pilots who had also made the trip from Chamonix for the first time.

I apologize again to Thom for taking his head off up at the Plan Praz launch! I am all relaxed and happy now, and proud to count myself among the really good pilots of le Team Bâtard!