Edith's Gap SE site, new big LZ

[Dan T]

I visited Edith's Gap yesterday. It's completely grown over 3" to 4" diameter trees and would not be recognizable to anyone who did not know it's history as a launch site. I also looked around out front and found a potential LZ at a 4 to 1 glide or less that is easily large enough to accommodate more than on HG simultaneously. Unfortunately it's posted with no trespassing signs.

I estimate that a crew of 8 to 10 could reopen this launch site in a full day. I'd propose two chain saws, two weed whackers, at least one pickup truck that can haul the tires that have been rolled down the hill out, and plenty of muscles to move the downed trees out.

The site is on George Washington National Forest where Fort Valley Road becomes hwy 675. (I'm not sure about the road number but it's fairly easy to find on google maps by following Fort Valley road until it ends at a switchback heading toward Luray. It's only about 7 miles from the little village at the east end of the Edinburg Road.

I'll cross post this on the PG site if I can get enough people with equipment to commit to a 'reopen the site' day, I'll contact the landowner and try to arrange permission to land on his property, then contact the USFS and make sure they have no issues with us clearing the slot.

For those of you unfamiliar with Edith's Gap, it is a SE facing site that never got much use because it never had an easily reachable LZ. It looks to have great XC potential both along the ridge on the east side of Fort Valley towards Front Royal and OTB towards Breezewood and Fisher Road.

Dan

[cthornberger]

I'm definitely in. I can provide some muscle where needed.
Keep us posted .
H-2 Power. It's a beautiful thing.

[markc]

+1

[deveil]

+ .6725

[deveil]

welll, maybe 0.894 +/-0.012 if you count a weed whacker, chain saw and chain sharpening skills, also tow straps to vehicularly pull stuff up the hill. also new boots with good tread.

[uplandann]

Oh... so it's rated at least a Hang 3.6725. What, wait, what are we talking about?

[deveil]

having an existing lz landowner as a reference when approaching a new one? been there done that?

[uplandann]

For the land owners, would it help to have the VA Recreational Land Use Statute handy too?

If we can get the LZ, does that imply Hang 2's can fly it? I'd like to help any way I can; at least another pair of hands to help clear stuff.

Ann

[deveil]

i'm guessing that some more advanced pilots would fly the place a bit before a determination was made. then again, h2s have traditionally been used as wind dummies

[Dan T]

I contacted the owner of the field that I thought would be a suitable LZ. He said we are welcome to use the field and asked for nothing in return. He did say that the gate will often be locked. I told him we could pass our gear over it.

The gate at the edge of the field is at N 38 42.771' W 78 29.869. You should be able to see it easily on satellite view at google maps. The field is about 500 feet long by 240 feet wide. It slopes uphill from right to left, roughly North to South which should be into the prevailing wind. The last 75 feet or so drops off sharply and should not be considered part of the landing area. Much like Woodstock you will be able to turn onto final at the lowest point of the field. I'll guess that the total elevation gain to the uppermost part of the field is 10 tot 15 feet, effectively lengthening the field by at least 50 feet. The trees are not as high as at Woodstock, probably less than 40 feet. Landing should be easy in a PG, fairly technical but doable with a good approach in an intermediate and above HG.

The launch is at N 38 43.518 W 78 30. It's a bit under a mile away and approximately a 5 to 1 glide. The launch slot is going to be steep and narrow unless we widen the original slot width significantly. There is plenty of room to set up and open space behind the launch point.

I'll contact the USFS if enough people commit to clearing the slot upon a green light from the USFS.

Dan

PS, It's a two mile hike along the Massanutten trail to Masananutten peak. The trail runs right past the launch point.

[dbodner]

It's a two mile hike

I was going to be one of the expected minions of volunteers, then I read this. Dan, am I reading this right? Will flying Edith's Gap require a 2-mile hike in?

[markc]

Thankfully, no, it's not a 2 mile hike in (phew!).

The road goes right by the launch, and there's parking on the left (I think I remember?) side of the road.

The LZ sounds a bit tight, but perhaps it could be treated as a bail-out field? The old primary LZ was pretty large, maybe a 7:1 glide. In the past, it was a "get up immediately after launch, or head on out immediately". No dallying.

Way to go Dan, great to hear that the owner is a friendly sort!

MarkC

[mcgowantk]

Great work Dan. I landed in that field once but thought it would be great once the tree stumps and brush were cleared. The old LZ is along the river. There used to be B&B there in an old farmhouse.

As Mark said, launch is next to the parking area. The hike is from the parking lot up to the Peak which is a few miles to the north. It is a nice hike for days when you are not flying.

Tom McGowan

[Dan T]

Dave,

Launch is right next to the road and set up area as Tom previously mentioned. I mentioned the trail because it's popular with hikers and hang waiting pilots who like to take their dogs for a run or something. From the brief descriptions from the hikers I spoke with as they came out it sounds like a worth while jaunt.

The field is smaller than I would like for an HG but it's doable. On the upside it's completely grassy, there are no obstructions in it. I'd treat it as a bailout field, but an entirely workable one.

[deveil]

'curious, when was the last time that place was flown? apparently more recently that i remembered/knew - mark was still wet behind the ears when i grounded myself. 'didn't realize there was still institutional memory available.
they say the…hmmm...they same the something or other is the first to go... which one is it now... back? legs? memory? mind? that's it! gotta be the mind…'cause that would then explain a lot…hmmm.

but i'm curious.

garyDementia-earlyonset

[lbunner]

Can't seem to locate the launch with the coordinates you provided. Can you give more details? Nice job Dan, I was looking for a SE launch on the back side of the Pulpit so we could have more options this season. You have made that happen! Outstanding job!!!

[lbunner]

Would the trail to the north be going to Kennedy Peak vs Massanutten Peak? I'm getting excited about the potential of this site. When can we clear the slot? I want to be there.

[dbodner]

I'm glad to be wrong.

Depending on the day, etc., I should be able to help. And I'd think the general excitement surrounding the re-opening of an old launch will bring plenty of hands out to help. Remember, chainsaws can be rented.

[uplandann]

I thought at first the trail he was talking about was the Massanutten ridge trail because that one is about 2 miles long and leads right up to the Massanutten Peak and HG site. But that's 27 miles to the south, so, he must be talking about a different trail.

I was looking on Google and right where the road bends toward the top of the ridge looks like a parking lot and off to the right of that looks like an old launch site. 38°43'30.44"N 78°30'32.79"W
Correct me if I'm wrong.
If this is the correct launch site, the glide is about 5.9/1 to the new LZ.

Ann

[lbunner]

I see the old launch now, it is right across the road to the ENE of the parking lot. There is a slot that runs down about 80' in elevation. Assuming no trees the glide would be about 6:1 but I'd bet the trees up the slope are pretty high therefore would need a bit more altitude to make it into the LZ. Still it looks like an awesome place to fly.

[Danny Brotto]

Larry

If you are looking for a SE site on the McC'burgh ridge, look to the ridge NW of Carlisle, PA (40 deg 16'35.20 N 77 deg 16'37.90W).

It was an established site years ago. It's been a few years since I drove past (retrieve from a sailplane land out ) but it still looked launchable. Launch was a little technical but not too big a deal. A couple of gaps to the south and the ridge turns more SE and can take you all the way to the back ridges of McConnelsburg.

Danny Brotto

[Flying Lobster]

Blast from the past--I remember clearing it and flying it with Pete Schumann eons ago.

marc

[deveil]

probably wouldn't be a bad time for any/everyone with any past experience, knowledge, remembrance of the site to toss anything they've got into the pot. no?
(p.s. paraphrasing that moderator guy - best mind that thar post jumping' stuff)

[deveil]

another thought: if there is any significant tree dropping to be done it would probably be a good idea to have someone who has at least some experience give the place a look see. a helter skelter approach could make some of the work much more difficult than it would otherwise be.

[deveil]

post jumping' stuff)

jumpin' - meant ta say post jumpin' stuff.