August 2017

The 2017 Lakes Charity Classic saw challenging conditions; on the Sunday, the coaching group deployed to the coast at Lowca. Most of the group managed to have enjoyable flights. Lowca is an old coal mine sited between Whitehaven and Workington. The view looks to the north with the Galloway hills in the far distance. Photo by Malcolm Grout

July 2017

No photos submitted this month so its back to 2011 for this month's picture. June 2017 has been a month of varied weather; strong winds at the beginning of the month, heat in week 3 and endless rain in week 4. In 2011, this photo was taken to the east of Kirkby Lonsdale in SE Cumbria. The western mouth of Barbondale is just below the photo and the Howgills lie to the north with the Lune valley to the left of the pilot.

June 2017

Spring is here and the Lakes are magnificent at this time of year. Mike Harper and other went to a trip down the Buttermere valley from Swinside to Fleetwith Pike. Robinson dominates the centre right of the photo with the Buttermere Moss site behind the wing.The hills of the NW Lakes are in the distance. Photo by Mike Harper

May 2017

This month has seen 2 site records broken, both by Jaysen Metcalfe - Black Combe (West) and Barton Fell. When conditions are too strong, we go to the coast. On 4 April Gordie Oliver and Malcolm Grout flew at Lowca initially on paragliders and then on speed wings as the wind picked up. The view is to the south with Whitehaven harbour in the far distance and St Bees Head on the far right, The pilot is Gordie and the photo was taken by Malc.

March 2017

Flying reports have been scarce as February 2017 seems to be trying to make up for the last 3 months. So its back to the archives to remind us that flying in February can be good. Here 2 pilots are about to launch on Blease Fell in February 2008

February 2017

Winter days like this can be deceptive! Pilots reported that the day had varying conditions and a severe wind gradient with 33-35 kt winds at the top of Blencathra, no wind on the normal "shoulder" take off and an appreciable westerly wind in the landing field. Dave Eva took the photo of Jackie Knights; take off was on Blease Fell on the slopes of Blencathra. The view looks to the west over the valley of Glenderaterra Beck to Lonscale Fell. The bulk of Skiddaw dominates the skyline.

January 2017

December flying days have been scarce but the weekend before Christmas gave us high pressure and good flying. Fog in the south Lakes gave way to clear sky's further north with a number of sites being flown. Here Mark Lennon soars Bewaldeth on Sunday 18th, framed by a festive sunset. Photo by Gordie Oliver

December 2016

This November saw the sudden arrival of winter. From a fine October, we had a dose of rain from storm Angus; then the end of the month was dominated by fine, cold days. On 23 November, Dave Ashcroft and Paul Clarke were tempted to climb High Stile on the promise of a north easterly breeze. High Stile lies on the ridge between Ennerdale and Buttermere in the NE Lakes. Dave reports that it was quite a slog up through the snow and take off wasn't any better. Here you can see Paul launching through the snow for a fly down - the promised breeze didn't happen. The view is to the north with the Skiddaw massif in the distance. The hills of southern Scotland can be seen. Photo by Dave Ashcroft.

November 2016

Autumn in the Lakes brings it's own form of epic flying. A number of pilots walked up Skiddaw on Sunday 30 October for a flydown to Keswick. Mike Harper took the photo and reports "There was a high but thin inversion layer at 700m to 800m asl. The air was nice and smooth as we drifted down through the cloud to land on the edge of town before heading for a debrief."

October 2016

We've had some hot days in September but now the Autumn colours are appearing and it's time to get the thermal clothing out. Wolf Crags is our best northerly site. It's at the north end of the Helvellyn range. Here Chris Field soars the face, the photo taken by Ed Cleasby. Blencathra is behind the wing