An interesting day flying from Omarama in LP.
Took off with full ballast (100ltrs) shortly after midday into a gusty and rough Norwester. I climbed quickly over the nursery ridge then headed to the Ewe range and a few beats over Hugo's. The Dunstan wave crossed over the Hawkduns a few Km's south so I committed to this and found lift well in front and below the cloud. I sometimes had a ground speed over 100 knts heading south. Overhead Alex I could see aircraft on the field, but no reply to calls. The wave continued unbroken, although there were weaker unmarked gaps down to Piano Flat, where I turned due to solid cloud. The run North back to the Hawkduns was often over 150 knts, stopped to call at Alex, still no reply and saw gliders being put away. The wave appeared to extend well north of lake Benmore. I went west to the Ben Ohau wave, and north as far as possible to a mass of cloud in the lee of Mt Cook. I had to slow down while descending due to turbulence. 1000ft/min+ up with airbrakes fully deployed. I landed with the water still on to avoid getting banged around.
OLC reports 513Km, 3hrs 1min, average speed 170km/h.
Apparently they had one launch at Alex and had to abandon flying due to rough conditions.
Link to some photos from the flight. https://plus.google.com/photos/106438043627549625814/albums/5934515935752227425
Pete
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