Zoinks!

[John Simon]

Masive lift at Highland.

I have been working weekends for the last few months and have not been flying as much as I'd like. I took a look at the soundings last night and it showed some very strong and very high lift on the eastern shore for today. I have to work again this weekend (my last) so I jumped at the chance to fly even though the winds were forecast to be a little high. Steve Kinsley and I were the only mid day fliers and what a shame, as it was one of the best days I've seen in a while.
The tow was active as I launched about 1 or 1:30 into a west wind that was lighter than expected. The sky was beginning to fill with high white puffies. I did a poor job of staying behind Zack and broke the weak link at 1600 feet. I was not worried about climbing out, although it would prove a bit tougher than I had thought. The lift down low was broken and punchy but plentiful. It took me while to squeak my way up to 2500 and soon 3000. From there on the lift would come together. It was still punchy and hard edged, I was careful to keep some speed and leave the VG off. The climbs were all above 500 fpm when above 3000' and more than one exceeded 750 fpm on the averager. The temperature at 7100 was 27 degrees and by then I could take it no longer, even though cloudbase was at least 500-1000' higher and I was still climbing.
You had to punch out to the blue and find sink in order to come down as the lift was so plentiful. But, I cored sink the best I could to thaw my frozen digits. By 3000' my hands began to warm back up slightly and I headed back to the field. Steve was up and climbed out to the East after getting off tow early. I went back up to 6000+ a couple times and cored my way back down to warm up. Finally, cold and tired I headed to the LZ and some warmth. Steve came down a long while later looking fully chilled and grinning ear to ear. It was a spectacular day and the streets reached all the way to the beach, it was calling me but alas both Steve and I stayed put and were content to ride the elevator and enjoy the great viz. See you next week or maybe Monday!

John

[mikel]

Rook Raggy ! RIFT !

Glad you're getting back into it John.

'Til then, Mike