Flying Sunday

[mcgowantk]

Just checking to see if there is interest in flying in the mountains Sunday. Looks like the Pulpit might be ok. Winds are forecast to be NW. Just depends on teh strenght as to where to go.

Tom McGowan

[sailin]

Hi Tom,
Amy and I are going to meet Bacil and Eddie at Smithsburg in the morning and then, if conditions stay nice , head over to the Pulpit for an afternoon flight. Hopefully it will be a sweet soaring day!

Jon

[Ward Odenwald]

Pulpit looks good to me. I'll be there around 10:30.

Ward

[Kelvin Pierce]

I'm thinking about it. HR or Pulpit. Will decide in the morning.

[Ward Odenwald]

The McConnellsburg forecast for tomorrow is calling for a high temp in the mid 20s. That would put launch temps around the low to sub 20s. Just how cold is to cold? I want to soar tomorrow but concerned about frostbite on exposed skin around the eyes. Any insights would be appreciated.

Ward

[mcgowantk]

I have flown in some pretty cold air (3 degrees on launch and below zero aloft) and did fine with a balaclava and ski goggles. After the third hour I pulled down my balaclava for a drink and never got it back in place. I think I had a case of frost nip when I landed shortly thereafter. You don't want to leave skin exposed. I recommend lots of layers!

See you there.

Tom

[carweill]

According to soundings it will be 8F at cloudbase and 17F at launch.
So that's warmer.

Thinking about it

Carlos

[pink_albatross]

How about woodstock? And does anybody know if the road is open?
--ellis

[mcgowantk]

The winds look on the strong side for the Pulpit. I may head to Smithsburg if things look blown out.

I am pretty sure the Woodstock Road is closed, but Ellis, did you see snow on the mountains yesterday. If there is any snow, the road is likely closed.

Tom
703-501-9532

PS Frozen is better than thawed and muddy at Smithsburg!

[garys]

I have been on/off for a couple of days about WS today. Looks like it is back on. I am heading out at 9:30 with an ETA of 10:30 on the back side unless someone wants to drop a car out front. I will be home for an hr. 540-955-3956 then on my cell 5540-686-0351. Gary S

[pink_albatross]

No Snow at Daniel's yesterday, not even in the shade.
So, hoping the road is open at Woodstock.
ETA 11:30
-- ellis
p.s. should be warmer than at the Pulpit. Calling the police about the road status has, in the past, shown to be unreliable.

[mcgowantk]

Gary called me and convinced me to head to Woodstock. We will have to compare notes to see whether woodstock or smithsburg is more exercise!

Tom
703-501-9532

[mcgowantk]

I had a memorable day at Woodstock. Winds were very light, so I had to wait for a while for a cycle. I was able to scratch to 100-200 over before I saw a bird soaring near by. When I flew over to his light thermal, I saw we were not alone. I counted six immature bald eagles in the thermal with me, and a mature bald eagle sitting in a tree watching us try to soar. For about an hour we all tried to stay up in the light lift. We had too many close passes to count. Working together we were able to max out at 1300 over. They were quite playful with each other and were constantly diving on one another. I finally left that group to try my luck elsewhere and promptly sunk after about an hour twenty total. Ellis also had a nice flight and landed due to cold hands. Ellis and I then hiked over the mountain to get our cars. Hugh also got in a short flight after hiking up the front.

I owe another thanks to Gary Smith for helping me wheel my glider and harness up the road on the backside of Woodstock. Unfortunately, winds died off before Gary had a chance to launch.

Tom McGowan

[mcelrah]

Ward,

Try a full faceshield on your helmet. You can have it up for launch and landing, then pull it closed for long periods at altitude.

- Hugh