End February 2009 we went to the Vosges for a flying weekend. Base camp was the "Auberge du Grieb" where we had a comfortable lodging and sweet food for democratic prices. Like most of the other mountain areas in central Europe this winter, the Vosges were also covered with lots of snow. On Fridaymorning we went for a meteo-check to the Aerotec landing field in Oderen and decided to climb up to the Siebach starting place, 250m higher up. The youngest one of the pack (Jyves) reached the top after only 30 minutes march, leaving the rest far behind. Wind was not too strong, there was a small window for a little bit of dynamic soaring... only for a few... wind was decreasing. In the afternoon we went all the way up to the Markstein top, all was white, view was great, lots of people enjoying their last day of skiing. Going down the mountain again we noticed that a smooth evening flight from the Treh would be possible. Jyves, Stéph and Jean took off in the deep snow, flying toward the setting sun.
On Saturday we've met some other Belgian pilots at the Aerotec and together with them we drove to the Ballon d'Alsace.
Sky was blue, wind was okay, so we had wonderful conditions for a day full of flying joy. Starting place was at 1247m, landing place 700m lower between two lakes just before the small village of Sewen. Wonderful flights, save landings and joyful socializing with Geff & co, a day to remember.
On Sunday the wind was blowing hard. On our last day some of us were going for a walk, others stayed at the Aerotec landing field for some serious groundhandling... or no activity at all... Wind was blowing in different directions and it wouldn't be a flying day, at the Treh the wind was even getting 60km/h. We were hoping the wind would calm down in the late afternoon, but weather didn't improved. The wonderful weekend was over and it was time to pack our gear. Enjoy the pictures below.
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