Woodstock or the Pulpit, Monday March 7th

[Ward Odenwald]

Winds-aloft forecasts are indicating that Monday may bring good soaring conditions at either site. Any interest?

Ward

[mcelrah]

Yes, interest. (Pending recovery time from late arrival Sunday night.) - Hugh

[sailin]

wish i could join you guys but have to work......however if for some reason things don't work out on Monday and you fly Tues...Then I'm in!!

Hope you guys get some nice flights,
Jon

[pch]

Yes, I am. The forecast is shaping-up nicely.

[cthornberger]

Is anybody thinking of High Rock maybe??

[Ward Odenwald]

NOAA’s forecast for the Woodstock launch area and flanking ridge-line tomorrow (mid-day) is for NNW between 11 and 15 mph with direction shifting to N in the evening. The ridge will be soarable tomorrow albeit possibly trashy in the afternoon due to the north-cross bouncing off of the ridge fingers. Given the uncertainty about just how good or bad the conditions will be tomorrow and the weak thermal forecast for the Shenandoah area, I’ve decided to hold onto my leave day and use it for a better forecast. If it were a weekend day, I’d be there but annual leave days are another matter. Now that I’ve talked myself out of it, I hope that everyone that goes - proves me wrong!

Ward

[pch]

Well Hugh, I guess it's up to you to make the call. I'll check the forum early AM to see your response.
Peter

[mcelrah]

Got in late last night. Just woke up. Will check weather and post soon. - Hugh

[mcelrah]

Hmmmm... NNW is the right edge of what Woodstock takes. Concern is "gusts to 25". Now that will decline as the day progresses - typical Woodstock post-frontal day. So I don't think we are in a hurry (especially for green H2 - or paragliders...) Let's wait for the next update (9 o'clock) while I get my act together... - Hugh

[pch]

Yeah I saw the 20-25mph gusts too. And forecasted to settle down. Not sure about the road either, we got 2" of snow on this side of the Blue Ridge on top of a thin layer of ice.

[mcelrah]

I would say that that tears it. We *do* hike our gliders (inc. HG) up the back, but on a day when we want to leave the door wide open to *not* flying, that raises the ante (complicates retrieval - gotta station a vehicle in the LZ out front, then drive around to the back - ya gotta wanna real bad...). If it were a bit straighter... I have hiked gliders back down, of course, and could use the exercise... Ya, let's punt to another day. (You can see me dithering, right?) - Hugh

[pch]

No problem, but it could be good by 1500 or 1600. I just don't know the SOP's the Forest Service uses to determine road opening/closings. Is there a phone # to call them?

[mcelrah]

There is - but I don't know it. Maybe Woodstock police would know. I can still be persuaded... - Hugh

[pch]

Just talked to Shannon Johnson, Shenandoah County Public Information Officer (540-459-6167) she said VDOT didn't issue them a road closure notice for today. She's checking to make sure, waiting for a return call. VDOT notice; the road will be closed for the week of 3/14-3/18 for repairs. She just called back with verification from VDOT; the Woodstock Tower Road is OPEN.

[pch]

Just checked the tabular data for KVAWOODS1; It hasn't been nnw since 1036, it's already clocked over to N, NNE, NE @ 11 - 18mph. Not lookin very promising my friend. I gotta go to my beer club meeting in Frederick, MD this evening, cheers!

[mcelrah]

OK, thanks for all the follow-up. We'll get there. Any chance you can make the CHGPA meeting Thursday? I know it's a haul from WV. I can offer a hide-a-bed if you don't want to drive back (can drink more beer that way, too). You may bet a better offer too... Exciting to have a prospective PG instructor - and newly appointed tandem admin - around! - Hugh

[pch]

Thanks for the encouragement to go to the meeting on Thur., but I'll be aboard an AA 738 aircraft at 30,000+ft when the meeting starts at 1900. My yogic powers are not that advanced to materialize in two places at once, but I'm working on it. I wanna go on the Yosemite, Chelan, etc. road trip! But I must work this summer, damn.

[mcelrah]

Ya, I'm going to be a real pain in the ass about being retired to all the working stiffs. All I can say is: "Get some time in, buckwheat!" I paid my debt to society and am now a free man! - Hugh