Old Bewick on Sunday

[Claire Smith]

Headed up to the Cheviots yesterday knowing fine well that it would be very unlikely that we’d get flying but went for the walk and a look anyway.

Stopped around the Powburn area to assess the wind direction and decided to take a look at Old Bewick. I’ve not visited the site before so read the information contained in the site guide and met up with some other club members. When I got to take off and looked at the site I was surprised that the guide suggested that paragliders can slope land on the area beneath the hill if necessary. The club coaches that were on the hill also agreed that it wasn’t a site particularly suitable for slope landings. I would welcome the view of others that might have used this site.

If my site assessment is correct and slope landing are not advisable could this be another benefit of having an online sites guide which would be easier to update and include recent feedback.

As it happens we all ended up walking down to avoid the cloud, rain and quite spectacular thunder and lightning.

[Mikey]

If my site assessment is correct and slope landing are not advisable could this be another benefit of having an online sites guide which would be easier to update and include recent feedback.

Couldn't agree more Claire, we definately need to have an on-line sites guide!

[Misk]

I'd say it is 'possible' at the southern end of the hill but it is practically a bottom landing! Otherwise pilot munching boulders everywhere! The safest bomb out without using fields is just below the Rhoddies on the south side - not always reachable when the hill is suffering 'the cheviot effect'.

It is a really nice site but I would say not for novices, the take off and top landing also have hazards. Saying all this I rate it as one of our best sites for winter (non sea-breeze) days.........

[John Wallis]

I think this is a poor site full stop. It's never been flown by hang gliders on a regular basis possibly because of the strong rotor on the top from the sharp edge, this might not be so bad in paragliding wind strength???

The face isn't that well defined direction wise and the times I've been there the wind is never on. We would always opt for Biddlestone first.

There's trees on one side of the face, there's wires around the landing areas not one of the better Cheviot sites in my humble opinion.

I've no doubt some pilots have had good days there. I would use Lord's Seat instead of this place any day.

As for side landing on the face I would suggest crampons.

JW

[Misk]

No wonder you end up on the wrong site John.

Lords Seat likes a little east - best in SSE.

Old Bewick works in SSW!

Not for novices admittedly but one of the very few sites in the Cheviots I go to believing I will actually get a nice fly, usually at the colder end of the year! Maybe we should say it's one of the better ones out of a poor bunch?

Enjoy the meeting - thumbs up for an open on-line sites guide.

[John Wallis]

Lords Seat likes a little east - best in SSE.

Old Bewick works in SSW

Yes but both are "generally" south with a touch either way it's still not one of the better sites. The Cheviots have always been fickle when the wind is between S.E. and S.W. as it seems to swing about so much probably due to the proximity of the coast.

[John Watson]

I would disagree with John on this one, although I hold his opinions in very high esteem, I think Old Bewick is a smashing site, and well worth a visit.
The face is very bouldery and some are disguised under the long ferns, lower down the face are very mature rhododendrons into which you would disappear if you landed in them, a slope landing here is very risky.
As John says, the top is very rotary in fresh winds but I think the main reason hang gliders opted not to fly it was more down to the treacherous bottom landings.
The bottom and top landing for paragliders is not a problem though, except beginners as Ian says.
The face is a very well defined south with a touch of SSW at the west end, it has an extended slope which carries on well after the road, and no obstacles out in front to disturb the airflow, I definitely rate this site.

[brian day]

Only flown both sites the once and did get more from Lords Seat, but, I think Old B could be better. Lords S will most definitely struggle in any more than a slight breeze, just look out front, if the effect of the hills don't get you the army certainly will! Take a look out back,,,,,hmmmm BIG forest vs a hike to the coast, neither seems inspiring, so Old B will win on the fairly flat out front stakes.
Either way, nothing was any good on Sunday, except the lightening display, killed off the odd smoker outside the cafe at Powburn, which can't be bad!

[John Wallis]

It's like most things in life people tend to make their own opinions which is cool. To any pilot flying here do your "Own" site assessment and take it from there.

[Fingers]

It's like most things in life people tend to make their own opinions which is cool. To any pilot flying here do your "Own" site assessment and take it from there.

Exactly how I have always aproached things.,

Ask advice from those you have respect, take it onboard and then MAKE YOUR OWN MIND UP. If it dont look good for you, there is always another day and another hill.

[davidporteous]

Used to fly this site in the early 80's and it produced some usable ridge lift....and that was on a Hiway scorpion.....but it never seemed to produce any good thermals.
Never top landed it but the advice at the time was to land well well back from the fort. Did bottom land straight ahead and just managed to stop before the hedge on the slope side of the main road. The slope exactly matched the glide angle of the Scorpion!!! The Chargus Cyclone worked much better here.
When I get a glider (soon) I'll try this site again. The ridge looks so good from the road.(Longer than Titlington).

[John Watson]

Good to hear your'e getting back into it Dave, --- paragliding or hang gliding or both maybe? look forward to seeing you out.