Pulpit Monday 8/22

[XCanytime]

Looks pretty good. Strong. I'm willing to fly in the AM before work. Looks like a good day to take off work, with the lack of hang gliding in the last couple of weeks. Bacil

[Blaine]

I'd be interested.

[Ward Odenwald]

Yes, Monday does look good with rising pressure, clear skies and predicted winds from the NNW. Right now, the mid-day 310 - 320 degree wind direction predictions for both the Pulpit and WS suggest that both are in play.

Ward

[markc]

Will be watching things, perhaps get a bunch of work done this weekend so that I can get out on Monday....

[Lostgriz]

If the forecast holds, I am in.

Matt

[krryerson]

Hope to be there too!
Will know for sure Sunday night.
If we do get some good XC conditions, let's try to go XC, flying together, using radio's.
Chance's are we'll get so much farther, working together.
Also, we'll need a driver. Anybody interested in helping us with the retreat?
Knut

[XCanytime]

Or a late flight Sunday??? Hourly has it clearing by 5P+. Bacil

[A.Lloyd]

Have fun! I'll be a VIP @ Black Sabbath all day tomorrow and working Monday!

A.Lloyd
H2

[markc]

Likely just wishful thinking on my part.... But sure would be nice if Woodstock was in the cards on Monday! Half-hoping, given the predicted temp swing, but guess we'll just have to see.

[Lostgriz]

Had to get some work done on my rig, I am out for Monday, hope you get good flights!

[XCanytime]

Updated hourly fcst for HGR has the precip stopping at 2:15P. Sunset around 8P. Plenty of time to get in a flight. I'm going. Bacil

[krryerson]

Going to Pulpit today, Sunday.
ETA 2:00 pm.
So much easier to get time off for flying on a weekend day, though Monday looks fantastic.
Knut

[markc]

Working weekend for me (with the hope of getting away on Monday), so no way for me to get out there today, bummer.

Bit concerned about the potential pilot turnout for tomorrow, esp. if those flying today get their airtime-tanks filled up

Seems like Blaine, Ward, and myself are pretty likely (still in guys?), but four would be better!

MarkC

[flymiller8]

I'm looking at arrival at pulpit between 12 and 2 if there's an observer available for this H2 Monday/tomorrow afternoon. If anyone is going to need an XC retrieve early afternoon I could pick up en route. I don't have vehicle mount antenna, but handheld will be listening 151.625? Or call.
Thx, josh miller 703-615-8359

[Blaine]

I'm still planning on going. Not sure what time yet. I'll decide after work in the morning.

[XCanytime]

Got to the Pulpit at 2:30P. Soarable WNW winds and mostly cloudy skies with a rain shower to the south by The Corner. The skies upwind and to the north looked OK. Set up and waited for the pilots to arrive. Walt and Knut arrived after 3P and our local hero helper Rich Bloomfield arrived by 4P. Had a nice takeoff from the pad in moderate conditions and got up easy. By this time the sky had filled in with long darkies with a large clear patch upwind. There was smooth light lift everywhere with some strong stuff that had just enough texture to make it interesting. Ended up thermalling under a big darkie that led straight out to the golf course. After a half hour in the air I decided to fly out to the golf course and land since we had other pilots to launch (Charley had arrived while I was in the air). Spent 15 minutes boating around above the course and even flew out to Rt. 522 upwind to burn off the 1K' over I got under the big darkie (base was 2.2K' over). Had a nice landing on the driving range and my man Charley and Walt retrieved me. Thanks again Charley. Knut was in the air when we got back to launch. Walt was up next and it got strong out of the north. We spent some time on the new ramp but a nice cycle rolled in and Walt returned to the air after a 4 month absence with a nice launch. He was a bit rusty in his soaring skills so he ended up with a short soaring flight, landing in the main LZ. Lastly, we launched Charley from the new ramp, having to wait just like Walt had to for a straight cycle. Charley had a nice launch, pointed NNW, and stair-stepped his way up, dolphin flying in the lift line to around 200' over. He had a nice soaring flight, landing at the golf course driving range as well. I drove down, retrieved Charley, and gave Knut (who had his first landing in the Pulpit main LZ) and Walt body rides to the top. They left to get their gliders, and Charley and I were treated to a sky that neither of us had ever seen before. There were cloud formations that defied explanation. There was a "cloud" that seemed to define the border of the tropopause and the stratosphere. It ran along the horizon straight as an arrow, looked like a huge contrail, and we saw 2 jetliners fly below the "cloud". Charley got plenty of awesome pictures. I hope he posts some of them. Bacil

[Dunegoon]

Short story for tonight: Some nice flying at the Pulpit. Arrived at 4:30 to soarable conditions. Launched last after Bacil, Knut and Walt. Had a nice soaring flight (2,800ft msl) and landed at the driving range. Nice air but a little more texture than a few weeks ago. Wanted to get home early, but the sunset, clouds and evening sky deserved some thoughtful appreciation.

[krryerson]

Great day!

Enjoy!



Thanks Rich B, Charley, Walt and Bacil for all the help.

Knut

[Ward Odenwald]

Going to work today. I hope everyone soars!

Ward

[markc]

Hmmm, down to Blaine and I, and possibly Josh (but no observer). I guess I could still be convinced, but that's not much of a turnout!

[flymiller8]

Mark, if you want to fly this evening I'll be your retrieve unless Blaine is going anyways so at least someone can take advantage of the weather. Let me know pls. Call or txt 1-703-615-8359 josh

[markc]

I've decided not to go unless we hear from a fourth. Wirecrews of two can often work out.... Except when they don't

Will keep an eye on the forum for a couple hours, in the hopes that we can tempt another pilot out today.

PS: Thanks for the very kind offer Josh, that's above-and-beyond!

[krryerson]

Hope it works out for you guys today.

Anyway, here is my flight from yesterday. Not that interesting, but here it is at

http://doarama.com/view/912001

Also, do think the ramp needs some love and care. Would like to go to Pulpit one day and put a coat on with some Old Tyme polymer resin.Just roll on some on the top part. What do you guys think about that?

Knut

[Blaine]

Without a observer,I am out too.

[XCanytime]

The current winds at HGR are NW @ 13 MPH. The hourly for HGR has it backing down to 9 MPH out of the NW all afternoon. It doesn't get much better than that. Bacil