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East Slope near Chocontá
Chocontá is a small town about 45 miles northeast of Bogotá. We visited a slope in the area two years earlier during our previous visit, and our friends have located a bigger and better site just a little farther north.
This big east-facing slope is at about 10,000 feet elevation, and the farmer family who owns it gave permission to fly there. Getting to this slope requires a short and steep hike up the back side, which also makes DS possible there.
Driving toward the front side of the Chocontá slope. This is what a 10,000 foot high "peak" near the equator looks like.
The Stork-2 Pro proved to be an ideal plane here. Marcela took this photo just before its first-ever flight in South America.
The huge valley out front produced a continuous supply of broad soft thermals. Sink was mellow and easy to fly out of.
Paul, now with leather hat, flying his Mini-Graphite. Chocontá and the road to Bogotá are visible in the valley.
This was a "slermally" day with broad and soft thermals and mellow sink. An efficient plane will always find enough lift.
Trimming the grass at the slope edge. Paul and Mini-Graphite looking on.
Roberto's Mach-1 for which Paul bagged a set of wings with a cambered airfoil, which works very well at this elevation.
Ricardo and son Diego enjoying the slope. Both are "pinchers," i.e. they steer with thumb and fore fingers.
Son Nicolas showing Dad Roberto how it's done. Whenever Dad flies, Nicolas is there...
This photo imparts a feel on how steep the slope is. But it's all grassy, which makes landing out and retrieval easy.
Look at this site: can it get any better than this? Maybe not, but it'll get as good; just read on...
The easiest LZ is about 100 yards north. It's good to use it for the first few landings until one's adjusted to land at this elevation.
Slope'n Colombia-style is a family affair, in good weather at least. This is why DS at Chocontá happens only on less family-friendly days.
The wind typically strengthens in the afternoon: first flight of the only SRTL currently in South America.
Even at his tender age, Nicolas already has figured out what best to do with these chevron-shaped contraptions.
The tall grass at the slope edge makes for pleasant flying.
Some good slope action led by Diego...
...and an impromptu slope race among friends.
The afternoon breeze provides solid lift, which allows these racers to fly a nice low line.
Little Nicolas, in great form, launching a chuck-glider Diego built for him and his brother Juan Camilo.
The SRTL had no difficulty getting and staying on step in 10,000-foot air. It is the most "eager" of my planes to do so.
Nicolas also was insatiable in his quest for knowledge, asking Diego one question after another.
Landing the SRTL near the launch site is a little trickier than at the "proper" LZ, but who wants to walk that far...
This is the life at the Chocontá slope...
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