While it's been burning in the western US, it's been raining in Switzerland. The fronts have been comming through every day, many times with frightening results. On Thursday the guys from SLC, Utah got caught in the air when it hit and had to perform a full manuvers clinic to get back on the ground. On Saturday two tandems signaled to the rest of us to pack up when they pulled big ears just off launch and still risked getting blown over the back. This morning I set off for my last flight of the trip as I could see a line of clouds on the way in, and half way to the LZ RaeLynn was on the radio from the chalet announcing high winds and rain. I caught lift over a clouded over hill side and hit the down button. I was safely on the ground when a brit in our group got his butt handed to him. This guy was far too experienced to need advice from anyone, especially the locals, and also didn't want to be disturbed by a radio. So our guides were yelling to him from the groud as he was being tossed around like a rag doll in a dogs mouth. Less than 100 feet from the ground. As proof that god watches out for fools, he went from beside his wing facing the ground, to having two others jump on his wing to prevent dragging, with out injury. Further proof was the Swiss guy who's spiral dive held him at 800 feet as the gust front carried him the length of the valley and into the narrow gourge at the end. When we last saw him he was headed for the power lines from the hydro dam up the valley. Unbelievely he was completly uninjured.
The best weather was Saturday morning. We launched from ~7,000 feet:
and got the complete tour of the valley.
Having 4,000 feet of altitude at launch is pretty good for picture taking
and also helped give a feel for the geography:
Bob and Marian left yesterday, and we head out tomorrow morning. The scenery was like something on the side of a box of swiss chocolates. The chalet and the group here were great, and the food was wonderful. Despite the weather, I'd recommend Stu and Mike to anyone thinking of comming here. Contact Verbier-summits.com.
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