I’ve though I might tell the best kept secrets of Northland. Much of the gliding community has dismissed Northland as a serious souring area. It is a reasonably narrow part of New Zealand, surrounded by coast line. There are a number of substantial ranges running up the middle. A definition of Northland is the area from Auckland to Cape Reinga. Soaring conditions are a interesting mix of Thermal, Sea Breeze Convergences, Wave and Ridge Soaring. All these conditions can happen within 30 km’s of the airfield and sometimes all on the same day.
A while back, Rae Kerr and I were flying a Discuss PV and I pushed into a fairly fresh North Wester taking us inland. Only 25 kms along this course we encountered wave produced from the lee side of Mt Hikurangi. This was a fairly small wave but was able to elevate us to 7500 ft. On a previous occasion I’ve pulled out of a strong South West Wave at 15,000 ft.
It was a classic Northland unstable day; strong sea breeze conditions were certain to form. I decided to attempt a rounding of Cape Reinga. Setting off early 11:00am pushed North to Kaitaia. Conditions started slowly but strengthen as the day developed. Unfortunately once I got to Kaitaia I found that the sky turned blue so I was forced to retreat south. By now the Sea Breeze Fronts to the West were well formed and a 120km run to the south was enjoyed only having to stop every 40 to 50 kms for a top up. Cloud base ranged from 5,500ft to 2500ft. Then taking Paparoa as a turn point was back North enjoying those same conditions. By now the Easterly Convergence had jointed in at various points creating sub convergences running at 45 degrees off the main Convergence. This was a very easy 80 km run to the North to take in the second turn point at Rawene which meant I had just gone through 300 kms and it was still only 3:45 pm. Back south to the next turn point Tangiteroria.. The convergences were now setup all the way South to Auckland. After rounding Tangiteroria it was back North to Mt Hikurangi and Home. Total distance covered 480 kms. I was left wondering had I flown further south how much more was on offer. I’ve flown in many convergences around New Zealand but none as rich as Northland.
A Strong 25knot South Westerly setup on a December day. This condition offered ridge potential on the west coast. The most difficult challenge was push 60kms into wind, across the width of Northland to get to the ridges. Typical with South Westerlies there are showers and as you across to the West cloud base drops to 2000ft.
It took me just over an hour to arrive on the coast. The head wind was punishing and had to take a number of sideways steps to avoid rain. Finally on the coast I pushed North. This coastal soaring is a real head game as at times what appears looks unsoarable.
Much of the coast line is very isolated with vehicle access to beachs limited and in some places not possible. The push North went slower than expected eventually turning Arhipara. Back south again meeting up with the Chris and Conal in Duo Discuss just North of the Monganui Bluff. From there it was a quick 80km up to VNE run to Pouto. The average height of the ridges on this leg was about 400ft. At Pouto there as a number of small clouds forming which may have given me the height to Xcross the Kaipara to South Head. This would have given me a straight run to Ragley making the total coastal leg of over 300 kms.
This idea was aborted as the Duo was keen to get home. So push north again with the Duo departing company at the Monganui Bluff. I continued on to Opononi determined to break 700kms. Turned Opononi and back south towards Pouto. The odd squall came through so I had to pick my way around them. Arrived back at the base of the Bluff after one such squall and the wind was pretty lite for a while. There were a couple of nerves moments pushing over the water at the base of the Bluff at 200 ft Things got better when I started to climb on a go lifting face. Back South to round the Pouto turn at 5:00pm, right on target.
All that was left was the 75km run North back to the Bluff and the 65km run across Northland back to Whangarei. The Bluff 1500ft high is a launching point to enable you to fly back onto inland ranges. This went pretty much to plan except for the run back to Whangarei. The inland ranges had over developed with large areas of rain. It was a careful skirt around the rain and before running home.
The question was what was the total distance? Retraced the flight using a scaled map calculated the total distance 655kms. 700km has eluded me but there will always be the next time. One also wonders what are the possibilities if the Kaiapara Harbour is crossed.
Northland still holds many soaring challenges. It’s full of unique soaring conditions and picturesque countryside. How far could one go using convergences. Is there a 500km on offer? Could a 1000km be done using the coastal ridges? I wonder what other soaring possibilities Northland has to offer? The most important thing to remember is don’t tell anyone about these precious soaring secrets of Northland.
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