Woodstock Launch

[tomceunen]

The paraglider Pilots would like to improve the WS launch because currently too many sharp rocks damage or even cut lines. Rocks also pose a safety hazard for all of us, PG and HG. Several ideas popped up already but it might be good to open the discussion online.
FYI Thanks to Ellis we had a large foldable blue tarp for a while but it was stolen last year.

1. Concerns
- Improve the launch without creating hazards for the HG pilots.
- Improve the launch taken into account the state park rules.

2. Ideas
- Blow up the bigger rocks below the effective launch within 40 feet. One is already identified on the included picture.
- Improve the effective launch idem dito Pulpit (see the indicated area on the included picture). The effective launch area is only the area where the paragliding lines are, not the glider nor pilot.

3. Next steps
- What are the park rules?
http://www.fs.fed.us/r8/gwj/index.shtml
- Can we proceed with a similar plan as the Pulpit improvement?
- Funding?


4.Picture
- The picture shows when we had the blue tarp in place. So the glider would be almost above the blue tarp. The lines on the blue tarp and the pilot below the blue tarp.
- The effective launch area is the tarp area but it might be made bigger as indicated by the rectangular added boxes.
- Below right we need to remove a sticky rock which also could hamper HG's


So this project got it's 2010 kick-off. I hope we can make this happen. Let's discuss online!
I'm ok to take the lead here.

Regards
Tom

[Matthew]

Count me in to help. I suggest wood chips that we might have to replace each year. Another thought is some old beat up carpeting that we could leave there and that no one would want to steal.

Matthew

[lbunner]

Bruce Engen was working at least preliminarily on improving this launch a couple years back. You might start discussing this with him as he may have information that is pertinent to this discussion.

[mcelrah]

and just for clarity: it's National Forest, not Park land. - Hugh

[Dan T]

I contacted Bruce Engan to see what he was able to accomplish during his earlier efforts to get permission to widen the trail in then improve the launch slot. Bruce informed me that he had barely gotten started on the initiative then had to discontinue his efforts for personal reasons.

Dan

[tomceunen]

I will contact the forrest service

[hang_pilot]

Hi, Tom-

Thanks for taking the lead on this!

A couple of suggestions...

Additional improvement
Remove trees at top of the slot on the right side as you face the valley. The area in which we lay out is narrow, I've spent time plucking other people's lines out of branches. Even if we don't do the tree removal simultaneously with the improvements you are proposing, it is a good idea to everything approved at one time.

On approaching the forest rangers
Whatever works for you, but if I were in your shoes....On the phone I'd mention that the club wants to do some maintenance within the boundaries of the existing launch to improve its safety. I'd try to set up a meeting at the launch with a ranger to show him or her in person what we have in mind.

Best,
Daniel

P.S. Hungover from drinking too many Belgian browns last night. I love your country's beer and it really bothers me that you don't.

[davidtheamazing1]

I talked to the regional director for the forest service (Jim Smalls) a while back, and the USFS is happy to work with us to maintain the launch and ensure its safety. The permit process for making changes isn't trivial, but they don't mind projects that are well conceived and minimal impact. I'm sure Jim would help us with any red tape.

Here are my notes from the last convo:
http://www.chgpa.org/forums/viewtopic.p ... st+service

[rlweber]

Thanks for working on this. A few thoughts. First be sure to talk with others who have worked with the forest service, approach is everthing!!!! I also think it would be important to have the official support of the clubs involved. The capital club is the active club in the area. The central virginia hanggliding club has also been involved with this site. Last I heard John Harper was the president.
By the way the last turn before the parking area is beside the slot and provides access to the slot without widening the path in.


Soar High And Far,
Randy
Soar High And Far
rlweber

Posts: 14
Joined: Thu Aug 31, 2006 9:30 am

[stevek]

Great idea Tom! John McAllister owns a landscaping company in Winchester (Reading Landscaping ?). I think we should have him cover the whole area a foot deep in dirt to create a large grassy area.

[markc]

well conceived and minimal impact

Well-said David! If we can convey something like:

"With just these few low-impact changes, we can dramatically improve the characteristics
of the launch for paragliding, and at the same time improve the quality of the viewpoint/vista
for hikers in the forest."

then the powers-that-be are more likely to be receptive to the effort. And if we can tie
it in with some other improvement or volunteeer activity (a trash cleanup along the trail
and/or road?), then even better.

MarkC