I don't like extra clobber. I'm a minimalist, I love simplicity. I usually fly with a Supair Altirando harness and a little sonic vario. So for the first few days of the X-SA I've just flown without oxygen. We haven't been getting that high, and I assumed I could handle a fair amount of abuse.

Except that now I've got a persistent headache. It's mild, but if I tie my shoelaces it jabs me in the back of the head. I've been climbing to 3000m+ regularly yesterday, and on the first day. I presumed I could go to 4500m without really needing oxygen, but I think I'm going to try the bottle tomorrow. Maybe because I'm a Cape Town boy and usually live at 25m Above Sea Level, my body isn't that well prepared for living at 1250m in De Aar and flying between 2000-3500m ASL. On a record day (if we ever get one) I want to fly at 5000m+, to get the speed, and now I know I'll certainly be needing it. 

The other piece of kit I've added is two Checkers shopping bags (to be upgraded this afternoon to Jiffy bags). My fleece gloves just aren't doing the job at 3500m+. My hands are getting cold. Yesterday i flew with the plastic bags as mittens, and they worked.

My flightsuit on its own isn't enough, either. I have found the best combination is a light shirt, my waterproof Capestorm jacket and the flightsuit. A bit warm on the runway, but nice and cosy in the air.