Fraser Island

[Pij]

I'm going to be on Fraser Island for 8 nights, from Friday. That's a very close match to Ding's itinerary, and he has told me about an excellent slope up north... BUT the south-easterlies aren't expected to come in until at least Tuesday.

I had a thought: On the inland sandblows, many dunes have a gentle slope facing SE, with a sharp drop off at the back, in other words NW. If I can find one facing that way, and with some size to it, I might be able to capitalise on the strong northwesterlies we might get on the weekend. I hope.

I'll take my camera.

[Pij]

8 days on Fraser, but then I had to come home again

Lots of touring (over 500km driving on the Island), lots of sun, a bit of fishing, and a couple of sessions flying...

The hill Ding found is really good. Needed 2 rest breaks before reaching the top. I arrived before Steve and Adrian, having left Eli Creek while they were packing up. and went up while they were
getting ready. It was much bigger than it looked - so I found myself at the top with no water and no camera, having thought I could easily get down again if I needed something.

I tested the air with one flight, landed backside, got scratched as far as my knees retrieving. Resolved to wear longs next time. Steve and Adrian got to the top, and we flew together for, what, an hour or so? That was my first time slope flying with any glider in the air other than my own. Much more fun than flying alone! Steve invited me to have a go at contacting their gliders - I didn't exactly try to, but then I didn't try not to, either... No contact occurred. Late in the session, Steve brought Aidrian down once - my son helped with the retrieval, the first of a few around the same area, harder to reach and scratchier than expected. The lift dropped off after that, and I didn't do too bad at landing my glider down near my 4wd. Aidrian had some trouble getting one of his down the bottom - maybe a CG issue.

The pic shows The Hill. The white thing half way up is Aidrian. That's about the spot I flew a few days later (see below).



A few days later I had a little fly at Middle Rock. Had to go right down to the beach to see where my Duck ended up, sitting flat against the rocks. Pity my son had the camera on macro setting, or we would have had some good flying pics with Indian Head in the background.



Later that day, I was back at The Hill, alone on the hill this time, while the rest of my family were busy down at beach level. I only went up half way on the hill, but had one long, very satisfying flight. The lift was better than the other day, and being only half way up the pyramid gave me a wide flying zone. Even from half way up, there was a great view.


The only other flying for the trip was Thursday at sunset, on the beach, with about 20 kt blowing straight down the beach, gusty. I flew my son's Electrafun - totally unsuitable for the conditions, but lots of fun. No tragic results.

I didn't fly at any of the sandblows, though walking through Rainbow Gorge I regretted a bit that I didn't bring anything to fly on that walk.

Arrived home late yesterday, too tired to go to the flying field today, and yes, lots of sand in the 4wd to clean out. The underbody wash at Rainbow removed heaps from underneath. A great week's holiday! Thanks Steve for showing me your hill. I noticed a few others up that way that I'd like to try too. Did you get any photos?

[ding]

Well it was nice to meet you pijuvwy. I think that hill has tremendous DS potential. Unfortunately the conditions haven't been right when I've been there but I'm sure it happens often. I'll try again next time.

[felix]

Wow guys that sounded like a top trip! Great looking hill and view as well…….heaven