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New Year’s day 2008 Cold start to a new year.
When I first looked at the weather this morning it was -9.8C with 18 kph winds just up the hill at Canada Olympic Park and -10C with light winds (didn’t say a number) at the airport. I thought it was a Chinook. I looked at the conditions in Drumheller, the closest to Standard and the temperature there was -23C with no wind.
The temperature looked flyable, I’d flown in less and with a Chinook rolling through Calgary some of the heat might make it all the way east to Standard. Once we drove up the hill to 16th Ave. I could see the flag at COP was straight and pointing east. Too strong for Ballooning, but again we where heading east so maybe the winds would stay aloft or they would dissipate east of the city. The car thermometer said the temperature was -12C.
The trip out was bright and we watched as the temperature dropped, along the way. By the time we reached 19th ST. NE it was down to -15, I thought of calling Walt to make sure he was on the road the decided against it, I was sure he’d be on the way. At the east city limits it was down to -16C and by Strathmore -18C. We could see the wind had shifted too by the time we reached Strathmore and where not nearly as strong from the North.
When we got to Hawk Haven I saw we where one of the last to arrive but Walt and Linda still where not there, I should have made that call. Ten Minutes later they arrived and after another 10 minutes of talk and shuffling of feet Andy told us it was time to fly. The temperature was now -20C, but with the sun and very light southerly winds it looked and felt perfect. We piles into the chase vehicle and then drove down to the launch field. The snow as only a few cm deep so driving was easy and moving the balloon around easy too on the frozen grass and snow. Soon the field was a flurry of activity and noise as we all went about hooking up burners, testing and rigging envelopes to baskets. Walts fan was a little temperamental but once started it hummed along with the rest on the field, in all 8 balloons setup for a flight.
Del was the first off and others followed. Del had found just the right winds to fly a “box”. While the rest of us inflated and the winds where light and as the other balloons took off if they stayed low they hung around the launch field for a few minutes. Slowly though they started to drift west and soon it was time to pack up and hit the road. No hurry no worry just out on to the road and down a kilometer or two. Again we played the time honored game of hurry up and wait as the balloons lazily floated in the air with little wind to push them along. The temperature felt as though it was rising a little.
As with all good things Walt’s flight came to and end and despite a flaky radio we figured out when he was finished. The deflation was warmer that the inflation and the soon we had everything packed away and it was back to Hawk haven for a well deserved brunch.
Thanks to Connie, Andy for such a wonderful location, and thanks to all those who helped cook the meal.
Gentle Winds, soft landings
pvb
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