I formerly flew with a hi-start or on a slope. I now live in the mountains surrounded by big airplane eating trees. I've found that electric power gets me up and I never let the best thermal take me far away from the field. We do not have a long runway but do have a fairly open approach at one end and we pray for the wind to be in the right direction. With electric power I can fly at the local soccer field, when it's not in use, and avoid some of the trees. I still fly nitro powered regular aircraft and sailplanes when I get the chance.