Pulpit 11/4

[bustedwing2]

Arrived to a setup area full of gliders,setup watched a few launches,waited while it blew strong for a bit then Cragin launched.I think I was next,2 steps and fly away,the usual difficulty getting my toe in the harness,got comfortable and enjoyed the flight.Lots of gliders launched and it was fun.My first pulpit flight since 2005,AT LAST.2600 asl max,but mostly cruised around 2200-2400.35 minutes,sure seemed longer,always lose all sense of time when flying,total absorbtion,would have guessed at an hour.Thanks to the wire crew and Shawn for observing.Sure is nice to leave the LZ and be home in 5 minutes.Most Excellent Day. RichB

[mcelrah]

Yay Rich! Glad your firmly back in the saddle. _ Hugh

[Dan T]

I think everybody who chose to stay and fly flew and had a good time even in the overcast conditions. The clouds suppressed the lift some and at times it seemed like I95 along the ridgeline but on the whole a good time was had by all. If you missed it you missed it.

Dan T

[XCanytime]

One of the more enjoyable flights I've had. Got to the Pulpit just after 10A to find Larry Bunner just arrived. The sky was not promising at all, with a dense overcast way up high. Many arrivals in the next 2 hours included Cragin, Dan, Carlos, Mike Lee, Shawn, Hugh, Matthew, and Karen. A few cumies under the overcast formed to the west and drifted our way. Launch conditions were 8 to 12 mostly straight in but with some due SW to S cycles. Mike Lee started the charge and took off a little after 12 noon and dolphin flew to the primary. Larry Bunner was up next and worked his way up to a couple hundred over. That was enough of a sign to me to get into the air. Joined Larry after a nice launch off of the new ramp just before 1PM. Cross from the SW on the ridge, but didn't take too much effort to get up. Matthew in his bagwing and Hugh joined us and the 3 of us hangies cavorted around the valley as conditions improved in the air over the next hour; the headwind caused Matthew to speedbar it to the bagwing bailout field along Rt. 16. Larry reported getting close to 5K' MSL (2800' over) and I managed 4K' MSL at one point. The air was smooth and the lift not too bad. At one point Larry and Hugh flew out into the valley past Rt. 522. I followed and made it out past 7th Street before turning tail and blazing back to the ridge. Kept flying over launch, exhorting the setup area to come on up and join us, but we got a radio report it was crankin' on launch. Soon more got into the air to join the 3 amigos as the lift started to weaken under a thicker overcast. I had an hour and a half by then and started to head out and maneuver for a landing. Put down in still air on runway 27 between the two tree lines on the south side of the field. Cragin landed right after I did, then Hugh, then Dan, then the rest of the gang. Back at launch it was crankin', too much for Matthew and Karen trying the paraglider. The sky had opened up, and lots of activity aloft could be seen. A most enjoyable day at the Pulpit.

Bacil

[mcelrah]

You sure called it, Bacil! - Hugh

[lbunner]

Man, I am still amazed at the fantastic flying we have out here. The Pulpit ROCKS! My background in Illinois was to scramble off of 150-200' ridges and try like hell to stay up. Needless to say it was a hit or miss effort (mostly miss). Here I just call Bacil to find out where he is going, show up and fly to my hearts content. Another great call! I thought the overcast would dampen any thermal activity however the air was very unstable and cu's were forming under the overcast. This was my first time to the Pulpit; the launch area is excellent. Next time I will bring my rigid. I had plenty of coaching prior to launch from several pilots. The winds appeared to be cross from the south and Matthew mentioned flying down to the left where the road cuts up over the mountain. My launch was smooth and I made my way down to the road. Sure enough good lift. Bacil and Hugh joined and I watched an eagle chase Hugh around the sky stuck right behind his keel. Too cool! Thermals started cycling through and soon we were all above 4000' (cloudbase was much higher). My hands and left foot froze but there was no way I was going to let a little cold force me down. Ended up flying until the end of the day. Time 2:55 Altitude 4900'. Can't wait to see what Bacil calls next. Meanwhile others were flying Lizzyville and got almost 5000' over the mountain!

[Matthew]

You sure called it, Bacil! - Hugh

******

Thu Nov 01, 2007 10:14 am Post subject: Pulpit Sunday

Pulpit Sunday

Be there!!!

Matthew

*******

Who called this????


Well, excuse me.

Matthew

[mcelrah]

No, excuse me! Ahem! "You sure called it, Matthew!" Is that better?
- Hugh

[lbunner]

Sorry to offend anyone it wasn't my intent. The call I was referring to was on the telephone.

[Matthew]

No offense Larry.

Just giving Hugh a deserved hard time.

Matthew

[XCanytime]

YEP. Now looks like WS on Saturday. One forecast shows blown out for the Pulpit on Sunday (NW). And the others show it SW on Sunday.


AAAAARRRRRGGGGGHHHHHHH!!!!!

Will check again in the morning. But it looks like we're going to WS.

Matthew

Hey Matthew,
Ya shouldn't have waffled on your original post from Thursday .
Just kiddin' ya Bacil

[Matthew]

Yes. I waffled.

But Woodstock worked out too on Saturday.

Matthew