US Nats Task 1

The forecast was almost exact - we only got to 12'000ft rather than 13 :-)

The wind was light as predicted and a task was called with a turnpoint 50km to the north and then 30km back south to goal. Getting away from launch was relatively easy but I really hadn't registered exactly how far above sea level this place is (the town of Lakeview is at 1500m ASL - see yesterday 'Tallest town in Oregon'). It's deceptive because the valleys are huge and flat and the hills aren't especially big. I've never flown around consistently at 2500m above sea level and felt so low. Shortly after the task start we were able to climb through 3000m and things started to feel comfortable. The climb was still consistent and the lead gaggle was much higher so I kept climbing. What had been a consistent but not strong climb kicked off at 3500m and started averaging 5m/s and I was on the way to my self imposed ceiling of 4500m (probably 1/3 of the field are flying with oxygen). It all stopped pretty abruptly at 3800m which was fine as I was already starting to breathe rapidly, everyone else was well down the course lind and my hands were going numb. Off on glide we made a wide crossing and flew into a another valley system where we started punching headwind about 20km before the first turnpoint. This decked most pilots, some (including yours truly) high up on the ridge which ran to the first turnpoint with a long walk out. It was actually a really nice walk along a creek through an old pine forest. This really is wild west country - I was following some cattle trails and it felt like Yul Brynner and the magnificent seven might appear at any moment. They didn't. Nobody got to goal and Team Oz all landed before the turnpoint. We do apologise.....

James Thompson has kindly provided a link to some pictures he has taken at the Rat Race and todays task at the nats. The picture of the lake and the huge ridge along it was our view for most of the flight. It's called Abert Rim and is I’m told highest cliff line in North America. Very impressive.

James pics at http://picasaweb.google.com.au/m/viewAlbum?uname=jamesflys&aname=USA07&start=0