Wetcoast Views: Roldanillo

Ten days flying in Colombia! A very last minute decision... but after seeing all the great flights on XContest we just had to go get some sunshine and air time ourselves. After mediocre conditions in January (British Open had to cancel 3 tasks) things changed in February with dry air and high cloudbase and many record flights were posted.

After arriving in Cali we first checked out Piedechinche a nearby flying site. Sweet to get off the plane at midnight and fly the next day (70km out and return with a rather low safe - vulture supported)! Three years ago we went straight to Roldanillo but arrived too late for a flight (no afternoon flights there due to the Pacifico wind that blows over the back of launch). At Piedechinche launch we met Canadians from Whitehorse, a friend from Washington and Pal Takats (he remembered that I did a SIV with him!). We staid in Santa Elena (LZ is within walking distance from our accommodation - the main LZ is much closer to launch). Edgar our host and his wife were super nice. He even picked us up from the airport when we arrived at a late hour. Great breakfast too with scrambled eggs and fruit! Have to remember long pants next time - Piedechinche is home to ankle-biting insects. Nice site and better for beginners than Roldanillo as there are no high voltage powerlines and problems with the Pacifico (therefore allows afternoon flights).

After two days we moved on to Roldanillo. Paddy and I got a ride from Edgar and Pete flew to Tulua - halfway to Rolda (but has some trouble finding our accommodation in Rolda). Jorge our new host brought us to our Roldanillo home where we met two housemates, Frank and Bruno the dalmatian (and a young Polish couple ... but we did heard more of them than we saw).

It felt like I started off the flying where I left 3 years ago with a 86km out and return to Ansermanuevo. The flatland flying also seemed to work although I still find it rather stressful: deciding where to go for the next climb (clouds don't always work and neither does the ground) and many low saves. Lots of vulture rescues though, I love these birds! A few times I flew with 15 or 20 of them. And one really low save over the roof of an old factory near Zarzal - not the greatest choice as the landing options there were scares. Advice from a fellow pilot: when high fly the clouds, look at the ground when below 1600m, people working in the fields and when really low ... hope for some vultures. Only one premature landing at La Union when the valley wind scrubbed the thermals on the front hills. I avoided the nasty dog pack Paddy encountered a couple of days before. Did my longest duration flight (5:58) and my biggest triangle (87km). Another first: I had to pull on my stabilo line to clear a cravat, could feel it starting to turn. Never had that before (in 1100 flights and as many hours). Average speed was pretty low ... I didn't plan much and wanted to leave options open, so I flew a little farther north along the ridge just in case this was turning into an out and return and not a triangle. Fun and much faster flying along the back ridge when it worked. Interesting how quick the Pacifico comes in. On one flight I saw people landing whichever way at the airstrip LZ in no wind and 10 min later after a leg over town it got pretty bumpy and I almost got parked landing. On a different flight I landed near Zarzal in strong-ish wind (because the thermals were shredded close to the ground) and while I'm packing up I see other pilots getting parked and having a difficult time loosing altitude. Surprising it gets so windy on the east side of the valley.
Pete also has a first: he ventures under one of the bigger clouds in search of lift and sees it not only from both sides but also from the inside. A positive note: No trappings behind the powerlines in our crew.

What a great trip! Friendly people. Google translate is handy (or better brush up on Spanish). Mango con leche, fruits, giant avocados and mixed meat dish at Che's (but come early) were delicious. Met old friends and made new ones (from Bremen, Netherlands, Belgium). Gotta be careful with water and lemonade, need long pants at Piedechinche (ankle biting bugs), avoid putting glider bags in the trunk of busses. But I don't think I'll ever get used to the high temperatures at night. Bedrooms often don't have outside windows and are awfully hot all night.