Woodstock Sunday????

Post by **Matthew** » Sat Jan 01, 2011 11:00 am

They've upped the wind forecast tomorrow for Pulpit and High Rock-- gusts to 25.

Anyone know if the Woodstock Road is open????

Matthew

Post by **Dan T** » Sun Jan 02, 2011 5:26 am

Currently there is light rain in the forecast from 10:00 until about 2:00. If the morning update shifts the forecast to end around noon, I'd be interested in Woodstock. We could arrange to leave a car out front and drive around and hike PG up from the back.

I'm pretty sure the route from the primary or bridge field to the gate at the back is shortest through the Edinburg gap.

Dan T

Post by **Joe Schad** » Sun Jan 02, 2011 10:05 am

Woodstock Tower Road is open.

Joe

Post by **XCanytime** » Sun Jan 02, 2011 9:01 pm

On the way from the Pulpit I called Gary Smith and told him we were detouring to Woodstock from the Pulpit. He agreed to meet us there. Got to the parking lot at Woodstock just before 12:30P. Gary and Carlos were there. Ward decided to bag flying since there was no guarantee the road was open, and he had to be back early. Wasn't doing too much at launch, but at least it was trickling in pretty straight. We went up to take another look and it was blowing in a smooth 5 to 7 MPH. We went to get our gliders, and Laszlo shows up. We set up as Laszlo got ready to go. He had a nice launch and soared effortlessly in smooth conditions. I got ready to go, and waited for a cycle to blow thru. Got a decent one, had a good launch around 2P, turned right, and found lift over the parking lot. It was enough to get me up over the ridge. The west facing bowl by the old launch was pumping out nice lift, so I loitered there, gaining to a comfortable 500' over. Zigzagged back and forth in front of launch, finding smooth bubbles buoying me up a couple hundred over launch. A pair of mature bald eagles came flying by, so I got the camera ready and chased them around some, but to no avail. They booked it to the SW. The sun illuminated their backs, so I got a pic of them flying in formation towards the Edinburg Gap. The fire tower had spectators, so I decided to have some fun for a change and not just think about XC. Orbited the tower multiple times, buzzing it from 12 o'clock high once, to the delight of the spectators. Saw many flashes from cameras in the tower. Found a good thermal over by the old launch and got 1K over. Headed SW and lo and behold now there were 4 mature bald eagles just below me frolicking, so this time I was ready. I thermalled with them almost eyeball to eyeball. What an exhilarating experience! I was awestruck by their beauty that I completely forgot to try to take a picture. Got a decent pic of one of them. They also headed SW and dive bombed each other. Carlos took off and got up to the NE of launch. Waited around for Gary to self launch to make sure he was OK. He launched nicely, and also headed to the NE. More spectators were showing up in the tower, so I did another impromptu airshow for them. Too much fun. Headed out and had a nice landing in the main field at 3:15P. Gary and Carlos landed in the bridge field. They both had nice soaring flights of at least an hour and 1400+ over launch. Laszlo graciously came down and gave all of us body rides to the top. Much thanks Laszlo. By this time it was 4P, and it had picked up a good bit at launch. Carlos and I grabbed a bite to eat at Fox's Pizza in Strasburg. What a fun flight. Pics later. Bacil

Post by **carweill** » Sun Jan 02, 2011 9:20 pm

After the route adjustment from Bacil headed to Woodstock.

Typical strong at the Pulpit, calm at Woodstock. Strangely the clouds were moving from SSW while there seem to be ridge lift at launch. Lazlo launch and seem to have no problems staying up. Bacil second, I came third and Gary last. Very enjoyable and not as cold as the last two times I flew. Reach 3300 MSL but did not want to get too far behind the ridge was still climbing. The wind seem NNW at 3300 but the lower I was more West. Landed and clouds were till coming from the south. By the time we all landed the front was still around I81. Lazlo gave us all a ride to the top.

Carlos