Saturday, Dec 18th

[jyoder111]

Looks like it might be a nice strong W-NNW day for Woodstock or the Pulpit. Anyone interested?

[XCanytime]

Jesse,
I'm thinking about a day at Smithsburg. A few pilots expressed some interest in going there. Unless it gets a bit toastier . Bacil

[mcgowantk]

I am thinking about flying Sunday. Other than a bit cold, it might be a nice day.
Not sure if Woodstock, High Rock or the Pulpit will be best.

Tom McGowan

[RichH]

Tom not sure what they got in the Mtns at woodstock but we got 3" here on the ground ..The road to the top may have snow on it ...RH

[XCanytime]

Looking pretty light tomorrow. I'm thinking Smithsburg on Sunday. There's no doubt the road to Woodstock is closed. Bacil

[mcgowantk]

Hey, the road to Woodstock is closed only to cars! The hike up will give you a good start on your new years resolutions.

That said, things look better to the north. I am still thinking about Sunday.

Tom

[XCanytime]

Dan Tuckwiller and I are considering a late PM flight at the Pulpit tomorrow. Looks like the best bet for ridge soarability. Bacil

[XCanytime]

Dan and I will be at the Pulpit around 1P tomorrow. This is likely Dan's last mountain flight before he leaves for the west coast. Bacil

[mcgowantk]

I am still hoping to get out. As of now, the pulpit looks like a reasonable call. I will check in the morning.

Tom

[carweill]

Plan to be there


Carlos

[sailin]

I wish I could join you all!! It will probably be hour 20 of 36 for me at work as you all are launching...... I hate when work get in the way of the fun stuff Wishing you guys great flights.!!

Jon

[deveil]

hah! a cold day in december at the pulpit. sure. that can make for a wacko fun day. heck even maybe better than that, in a laugh at misery kind of way. just imagine if one were, as well, to jump off of the damn mountain and fly around like a bird. now that's a frgign' riot of an idea. on a cold day in december. might see if i can get up the gumption just to come up and laugh at you ... or laugh at myself for showing up ... or laugh about those who don't.

gary
(might be the wine talking(so what))

[mcelrah]

I distinctly remember chipping the ice off one of the ramps once. Do not laugh at addicts - it's a disease, they can't help themselves... - Hugh

[mcelrah]

Installed faceshield on helmet. Packing foot- and hand-warmers, paraglider, hang-glider. Maybe practice with new PG at Smithsburg, then take it to Pulpit for maiden flight off anything other than a training hill... - Hugh

[deveil]

installed caffein in body, has yet to take effect. had hoped to hit the road by 10, 'cept didn't hit the sack till 2 … what a turkey.

[carweill]

Heading Pulpit

ETA around noon


Carlos

[deveil]

one-ish

[XCanytime]

A decent albeit cold day at the Pulpit. Got there around 12:40P to find Tom McGowan, Pete Schumann, and Carlos setting up. I set up quickly and got ready to go just after 1P. Dan Tuckwiller, Hugh, and Gary Devan arrived just before 1P. Had an elevator launch in moderate conditions from the pad and burbled in racetrack lift for an hour, getting a max of 450' over. Set it down just after 2P just as Tom and Pete found a good elevator in front of launch to at least 1500' over. Carlos landed around 2:15P after a short flight. Tom stayed high and flew out into the valley. I started climbing the mountain around 2:45P. Pete landed just after 3P for close to 1.5 hours, then Tom landed with almost 2 hours. Took 1:05 to climb up the gas line clear cut and hike the Tuscarora Trail along the ridgeline. One good way to keep warm in the 30 degree temps. Back in the LZ Hugh had just landed, having a nice flight close to an hour and 800' over. Back on top Dan, Carlos, and I grabbed some food and a few beers at the bar. Dan had a nice flight of an hour+ and 1700' over. We will miss you dearly Dan. Bacil

[mcelrah]

My vario showed 25 degrees at 2900. Wrist-mounted chemical hand-warmers (that's where the arteries that supply the fingers are), barmitts, whole-sole foot-warmers, balaclava and helmet with faceshield. Smooth air. Beats shopping! - Hugh

[carweill]

Many thanks to Gary to join the insanely insane.

Carlos

[DanTuck]

It was really cold but the sun was kind of warm at least. When I launched the wind had smoothed out a bit and I got up easily. Most of the flight was around 500' over launch but the bar mitts I had from John M made boating around in the sub-freezing temps a lot of fun. After about a half hour, my face was getting cold so I started to head towards the field. Once again, about halfway there, I found a great thermal and climbed out to 1,700' over launch drifting back over the ridge. From up there the inversion was clearly visible with crystal blue sky above. But I started to get a headache right between my eyes from the cold, come to think of it, a lot like a slurpee brain freeze. And even with bar mitts, my hands were getting really cold so I headed out into the valley and let gravity do its thing. What was most likely my last landing around here (for awhile) was a most-satisfying no stepper. Thanks Gary and Hugh for the launch help and thanks Bacil.

[mcgowantk]

Sunday was a fun day for me too. Nice thermals that allowed me to stay up for a while out in the valley by flying to clouds as they were forming. Never made it to base though.

Pete, Carlos, and I hiked up too. We took a more direct route up the mountain that worked pretty well. Carlos did an admirable job hiking up, considering he was the youngest of the hikers Sunday.

While I need to thank Dan and Hugh for helping me launch, the hero of the day was clearly Gary Devan who drove out to the Pulpit on a cold day help launch everyone, and help out with the shuttle. Thanks Gary!

And good luck to you Dan. Thanks for all your help and support for the Club. Hope to see you out flying before too long, either here or out in California.

Tom McGowan

[Pete Schumann]

It was a great day of cold weather flying.

We hiked up and picked up Bacil's tracks in the snow we saw he took the weenie way through the clear cut. We made fun of him and as we hiked up I felt like we were on the "Isle of Misfits". The Head Elf (Bacil) was being followed by the Abominable Snow Monster Bumble. We saw his tracks! We were all there: Yukon Cornelius (me), Hermey (Tom), Donner (Carlos), Who ever heard of a skinny Santa ( soon to be California Dan), Reindeer Coach Comet (Gary) and Rudolph the Red Volvo Driver (Hugh).

Anyway, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all

Pete

[deveil]

forget the wine. i'll have what he's having.

grary

[deveil]

to be sure - i much enjoyed your write-up, pete.
sounds like the hike was as much fun as the flying!
gary