Cheviots – only real men need apply

Post by **chrisfozz** » Fri Jun 22, 2007 10:12 pm

Skived off work yesterday at 4.30 and rocked up east hill half an hour later, the sky looked quite nice, gentle 6 to10 mph right up the face, I could see some big clouds in the distance but they were a long way off.
Took off just to the front of the cars, slid across to the main face and was soon climbing. Elegantly banking on the stronger sections of lift I was soon level with the top of the hill, flying like the proverbial sky god I surely was.
The first hint of a problem came when I did my first 360 and I saw the huge cu-nimb behind the hill, this coincided with the first flash of lightning - I started feeling a little uneasy. Going up quite quick now, I didn’t hear the thunder that followed, it was more a feeling as it vibrated around my stomach and lower-gut.
The lift was quite strong so I tightened up on the 360 thinking I’ll spiral dive, I went round till I thought I would puke but I was still going up, things were starting to go grey, more thunder and my arse totally went. Big ears, big ears and speed bar, bigger ears, more bar. Pulling just about anything I could get my hands to hold onto.
I came to earth (couldn’t really call it a landing) not knowing or caring where I was. I came in so fast and slid so far if they were charging admission I’d have to pay to get back in, with fatal consequences for some of the local rabbit population, unfortunate for the rabbits but quite handy when I commenced mopping up procedures.
It took about 5 minutes for my nervous system to recover to the point where I could stand up, in the mean time I got pelted with hailstones the size of banties' eggs. When I eventually got packed up I had a walk back to the top of the hill and things had much improved and I thought about another flight but had to get back for my tea.

Fingers · Post by **Fingers** » Fri Jun 22, 2007 10:43 pm

And home in time for tea!

Sounds a little hairy Chris

John Wallis · Post by **John Wallis** » Fri Jun 22, 2007 11:03 pm

it was more a feeling as it vibrated around my stomach and lower-gut.

Most excellent account....Hail stones the size of Banties Eggs

Bob Sutherland · Post by **Bob Sutherland** » Fri Jun 22, 2007 11:10 pm

Scared the crap out of me just reading about it Chris.

Got to have been the best bit of lift on East hill this year though

AlastairW · Post by **AlastairW** » Fri Jun 22, 2007 11:21 pm

Christ!

Sounds very interesting Chris...!

I have never been in a situation where a spiral didnt work.... I can imagine the buttock clenching that must go on!!!

When it starts getting easy to stay up... start worrying.....

But many thanks for sharing the "EXPERIENCE"!!!!!

Davehorne · Post by **Davehorne** » Fri Jun 22, 2007 11:37 pm

Well I talked to flying mate this morning and we both decided that only a lunatic would consider flying today

Point proven

Still it proves that it is possible to get lift on East Hill. I reckon I'll stick to my wave on Souither though - me shades are not dark enough for all that lightening

Anyone for Cross Fell tomorrow?

John Watson · Post by **John Watson** » Fri Jun 22, 2007 11:41 pm

I thought about another flight but had to get back for my tea.

Are you for real Chris????
I would have been a quivering mass of jelly

brian day · Post by **brian day** » Sat Jun 23, 2007 9:31 am

I came out of school at 1.40, took a look at the sky and thought, yep! there's some good lift out there, possible for something really big today.......only it aint going to be me!
There were 3 huge cunimbs only separated by thunderous marj simpsons, looked really awesome, wish I'd taken a pic.
Pleased to hear you made it home in time for tea Chris

ron freeman · Post by **ron freeman** » Sat Jun 23, 2007 11:50 am

Cu-nimbs... they can spread out so quickly and push up wind ease ! and this is when you get caught out.. Chris, well done for getting down without a full batch in yer knickers...I bet you don't do that again.

When flying we tend to look at whats happening up-wind and don't expect things to happen from the behind...going XC is a great experience and it makes you realise what is happening all a around us.

Dave Hume · Post by **Dave Hume** » Mon Jun 25, 2007 10:11 am

ron freeman wrote: When flying we tend to look at whats happening up-wind and don't expect things to happen from the behind...going XC is a great experience and it makes you realise what is happening all a around us.

I've seen this happen more at East Hill than anywhere else. Maybe because it's a sea breeze site so generally the weather isn't coming from the same direction as the wind....

I know two people who've been sucked up into cu-nimbs, neither of them fly any more. They got away with it just, but it scared the s**** out of them.

They were dead lucky and so were you Chris.

Mike Brown · Post by **Mike Brown** » Mon Jun 25, 2007 10:44 am

You should not have been out at all that day. You have been very lucky! Get the met books out again(or for the first time!!) and study hard. You need to always be aware of the type of airmass you are flying in and avoid Cu Nimbs by at least 25 MILES
A little bimble backwards and forwards along a hill aint worth your life mate!!
Take care
Mike

paramaniac · Post by **paramaniac** » Mon Jun 25, 2007 11:02 am

Have a look at the attatched file.

You need realplayer.

ron freeman · Post by **ron freeman** » Mon Jun 25, 2007 11:47 am

brilliant stuff... love the bit when the cu-nimb begins to self-stoke !

NHPC Private and Public Forum

Cheviots – only real men need apply

Cheviots – only real men need apply

Cu-nimbs !

Re: Cu-nimbs !

Brilliant stuff