As a cross-country soaring enthusiast, the notion of soaring below the
rim and out again (assuming the legalities of course) is exciting --
and foolish.

A fundamental rule of safe soaring is that you always have a safe
place to land, iow never assume there is a thermal between you and the
closest place on the ground that will not break your glider. I've seen
the Big Ditch a number of times from the air (and twice from my
sailplane) and have never seen a safe place to land.

-ted
Ventus 2C "2NO"