Well, it was one of those days. Sunny, after a week of rain, but only 1-3 mph winds predicted in the valley. So I started to go out and wash the car. But just as I got started there was some light winds coming out of the North. Well "cabin fever" hit me and I threw the flying bag in the car and headed out to Box thinking that some exercise and at most a sled ride would be worth it on such a nice day. Since it was already 1 pm there was no time for phone calls or posting my intentions. I really enjoyed the hike (who would ever think I would say that). When I got up to the lower launch (2:45 pm) I put the two wind sock sticks back in working order (using scaps of old t-shirts) and then got busy sawing down some old dead trees and bushes, making the launches safer. (Yes I brought a saw up with me, and it's still there). Now it was time to get ready for the sled ride, but I noticed that the winds were picking up slightly (5-8 mph -wow) and light cycles were coming thru every 5 minutes. Beautiful day, not a cloud anywhere near Box. I waited for a cyle to come thru and took it. Started to sink out after doing some figure eights out front. Then flew further out and noticed some nice lift. I worked it back into the bowl, having to go back up front for lift, then back into the bowl. After about 12 minutes I made it up over the top. By this time it was 4 pm, and it was colder up there then I figured - my hands were freezing after a while since I only had thin summer gloves on. (Remember I only expected a 3 min sledder). I finally got up to over 6300 ft and boated around a while. Then as all good thngs must come to an end it started to get milder and I slowly flew out to the LZ for a tip toe touch down after a 40 minutes of soul queching bliss. What an unexpected pleasure today turned out to be. I feel much better now.
Gunter