A crossing in four valleys

Ballastrun

Trade ballast for altitude and cross four valleys. The wind is a place, not a number: lift on the windward face of every ridge, rotor in the lee, thermals breathing over the sunlit slopes, shelter in the boundary layer. The envelope is four parts, and it damages both ways — too high and the fabric splits, too low and the cells go slack. Set her down on the field with something left.

W / ↑
Pump — climb, gain speed, over-pressure the cells
S / ↓
Dump — sink, shed speed, slacken the cells
Space
Vent — fast dump at a fuel premium, and it tears rigging when overspeeded
A D / ← →
Steer across the crosswind
Pressure
Keep the needle in the band. Work the valves fast and the fabric fatigues

Ride the lift, do not fly through the air. Between valleys you can spend spares and fit one refit.