Sat Feb 12 : Somewhere?

[markc]

Some of the current 3000' forecasts are predicting strong W conditions on Saturday, with a bit of a dip late in the day. Followed by an even stronger day on Sunday. Of course it's only Thursday, so who knows what will actually come to pass. My only reason for another weekend flying topic is to provide a place-holder for those who are thinking "Sure, wherever it looks best!". And (based on what I was just looking at) that could even mean a Smithsburgh training-hill type of day, though I'm certainly hoping for better.

I'll definitely be looking to fly... Somewhere!

MarkC

[XCanytime]

I'm banking on a late day flight at the Pulpit (after 4P) since I have to work in the AM and probably won't get there until 2:30P anyway. Bacil

[Danny Brotto]

Going to be insane in the mountains tomorrow (well maybe not WS). Heck it might even be insane at Smithsburg too! Got some things to do at the gliderport first but will give Smithsburg a try in the early afternoon... anyone else?

Danny Brotto

[cthornberger]

I'll definitely be out at Smithsburg at least. ETA - 11AM. Maybe it will drop off enough later in the day too.
For folks going up to the Pulpit, I can do some transport/wirecrew...

I will be watching the forecasts too. Weather gurus - sage predictions??

[XCanytime]

Chris,
No hurry to help us at the Pulpit. Banking on a late day throttleback for a late PM flight (after 4P). We could use help then, if it backs off as predicted. Thanks in advance. Bacil

[Matthew]

Woodstock Forecast--

SATURDAY
MOSTLY SUNNY. HIGHS IN THE LOWER 40S...EXCEPT IN THE
UPPER 30S AT THE HIGHER ELEVATIONS. WEST WINDS 15 TO 20 MPH WITH
GUSTS UP TO 35 MPH.

SATURDAY NIGHT
MOSTLY CLOUDY. LOWS IN THE LOWER 20S. WEST WINDS
10 TO 15 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 25 MPH.

SUNDAY
PARTLY SUNNY. HIGHS IN THE LOWER 50S. SOUTHWEST WINDS
10 TO 15 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 30 MPH.


I guess that video of flying in 35 mph winds in CA has been an inspiration to you all........

Gusts to 35-- it's the new gentle 10-15mph.

Matthew

[lbunner]

Matthew why is it you give people more than they really are asking for?

[XCanytime]

Chris,
I will be at the Pulpit around 3P to take some data points. There is a warm bar with hot food and cold beer right next door to launch if there is no settling down that occurs.

Bacil

[markc]

Assuming an open road to launch, I'm leaning toward a late Woodstock day on Saturday, provided I can convince myself that there is at least a chance for a flyable window late in the day. Could be one of those days when the "Woodstock Effect" might, or might not, allow for flying. No way to know unless you go, and ya gotta be prepared for the possibility of being skunked.

MarkC

[markc]

Oh yeah, here's the NWS surface forecast for Woodstock as of 9pm:

REST OF TONIGHT
MOSTLY CLEAR. LOWS AROUND 19. SOUTHWEST WINDS
5 TO 10 MPH.

SATURDAY
MOSTLY SUNNY. HIGHS IN THE MID 40S...EXCEPT IN THE UPPER
30S AT THE HIGHER ELEVATIONS. WEST WINDS 15 TO 20 MPH WITH GUSTS UP
TO 30 MPH.

I've had some nice flights on days with that sort of forecast... And sometimes I've been
stuck on top of the mtn all day... And on a couple of occasions I've been in the air and
wished that I wasn't!

At the moment I'm thinking I'll at least head out and give things a look, but of course
that might change based on tomorrow's maps and 'casts. Odds are that it won't be a
day for newly-minted pilots, so be realistic in your expectations if you plan to head out.

Hot chocolate? Check! Croissants? Check! Camera? Check! An engrossing book? Check!

MarkC

[cthornberger]

I certainly second that --being one of those newly minted pilots
Don't forget the iPod. And maybe some bird watching.
We'll see what the morn' brings.

[cthornberger]

Basil,
That sounds like a good plan. I'll meet up there around 3PM then. Updates in the morning if anything changes.
I have wanted to check that place out for a while.

[XCanytime]

Chris,
I'll be at work all morning till about 1P, so I won't see any updates. Plan on going straight to the Pulpit after work. Get there around 3P. Hope to see you there. Hangar flying at the least in the warm bar with cold beer and hot food. Bacil

[Dan T]

Edith's Gap is just a few miles from the point where Edinburg Gap Road dead ends into Fort Valley Road. If you get to Woodstock early and want to bleed off 90 minutes or so, you might give it a look.

I've gotten some interest in cleaning it up. Biwingal Randy has offered a truck to haul stuff away and I think he offered one chain saw. Ellis has offered to assist with clean up even to the point of hiring a day laborer and paying for him out of her own pocket. Hugh has expressed an interest and a willingness to seek help through USHPAs "free flight foundation" or whatever it's called. I'll try to find the landowner of the LZ and see if he will entertain letting us land there. I think a copy of our waiver and insurance would be helpful. Does anyone have a full size version of both?

Finally we should coordinate with the USFS. I'm pretty sure the launch is on USFS land and I don't think it will be too difficult to get their approval to reopen it. I'm willing to try this myself unless someone else prefers to volunteer for that job.

If I can get two or more people to make a firm commitment to meet in Woodstock, I'll join you there at 12:00 or so, and escort you to the launch and LZ if you'd like. Then you can see this place with wonderful SE potential yourself. This is a great opportunity to get out and about without necessarily exposing ourselves to difficult and potentially dangerous conditions.

Dan T
If you want to contact me and don't have my phone number, email me at wuffo1@aol.com. I'll put my phone number in the reply.

[cthornberger]

Sounds fun. I'll stop by on the way up to the Pulpit (for some hang-watching). ETA 12:00

[mcgowantk]

Dan T

Thanks for your interest in re-opening Ediths Gap. The ridge there is fantastic. I have only had two sleds there and would love a closer LZ. If you had permission from the landowner in the main LZ, I am sure you would gets lots of help clearing the slot. I am one of them.

The last time I flew there, some landowners further down the valley were ok with us landing in their pastures. Regarding the owner of the potential LZ, I can't remember anyone contacting them.

Good luck!

Tom McGowan

[garys]

Heading to WS for an 1:00 eta. Hope the road is open. Hiking up if not. Hope to get a late day flight in. Or not.

Gary S
H 540-955-3956
Cell 540-686-0351
W 540-535-7590

[deveil]

if there are enough volunteers, perhaps ellis, instead of paying for labor, could use the money to have the event catered

[deveil]

btw, i'd helped clear out that slot two times in the past after it had fallen into disuse. getting a closer in lz had always been the problem if i recall correctly. get the lz and that place would definitely be a keeper.

[jyoder111]

Just found out I'm free today after all. So, who is going where? Woodstock or Pulpit?

[Dan T]

It's good to hear from you all. I am going to try to find the landowner today. Since I didn't generate a lot of interest in caravaning to the sites I'm going to go directly there from home. If I get good news I'll stop by Woodstock on the way back.

Dan T

[markc]

Hmmmm.... Gust factor at WS back up to 35 as of this morning..... Hmmm.....
Thinking I'll throw the glider on the truck, get a few things done this AM, and then
decide whether it seems worth the drive.

MarkC

[pink_albatross]

good idea!
so... a) get landowner and usfs blessing
b) clean up, if enough people show for clean up (major clean up - we need chainsaws) - and this will be MUCH easier before the leaves come out! If enough people show up. i'll have it catered
c) FLY FLY FLY FLY FLY FLY

thanks Dan for spearheading this!!!!!
-- ellis

[markc]

Still waffling.... The hour-by-hour surface cast calls for the gusts at WS stop between 4 and 5pm, so I'm weighing the length of the drive and fairly low-probability of flying vs. getting a flight of maybe an hour at the very end of the day. Will try to get a hold of Gary before I decide.

MarkC

[markc]

Talked with Gary for a while, and we're going to head out and take a look at conditions, hoping for something reasonable at the end of the day.

MarkC