Wed 4 July. This morning we had to stand for the National Anthem at briefing, it being Independence Day. The task set was another MAT, 359 miles with a 3.5 hr task time. Today was a lot of fun even though I did not exactly wipe the floor. Istarted a little late on my own and missed the climb at China, then had a weak run across the Shasta valley. Had a good run down the convergence to Radar and back, but then made a mistake on the leg to Carter- missed the convergence and had to cross a blue hole. I just can't stop taking photos of this mountain!

 

 Got it on the way back though, but decided not to do the last two turn points. Came in about 7 seconds under time so it didn't hurt too badly. These MATs certainly require some extended thinking... 

 

Later a guy Steve Coleman turned up with a huge model aeroplane and did some amazing flying with a GoPro camera on board. I took a video but it's not that interesting cos he didn't crash. 

 

Tomorrow is the last day of the comp and I am trailing by about 130 points. It is likely to be a big day and they may send us up to Crater Lake, where none of us have been before. I have to do something different from the others who will probably be playing start games. Hmmm.