Woodstock Saturday?

[Joe Schad]

Thinking of Woodstock for Saturday. It will be light. Today might be good for Dickey's Rigdge but I cannot get out today.

Joe

[Bob Peterman]

Joe, I'm interested In Saturday flying but need an observer...I'll wait and see who else shows interest. Bob Peterman

[Lostgriz]

I would probably be interested in flying tomorrow too. I would also need an observer. I am new to the group and will be introducing myself shortly.

[mercury]

Woodstock! Hang 2 looking to fly! Ain't flying wonderful? Any available observers? Got beer as bribery! Matt Young 7038623327

[Ward Odenwald]

Since noon most, if not all, forecasts indicate a significant west-cross at launch tomorrow. Why Woodstock over the Pulpit?

[mercury]

Weather ignorance hah. Ward if your going to the pulpit and can observe that would be awesome not been there yet but would like to Matt Young. 7038623327

[silverwings]

Re: Wards comment amount the pulpit; though the pulpit direction might be better my guess the wind velocity (based on Hagerstown) there will 15 - 20+ mph which is a bit much for most hang 2's. Could be nice at High Rock though but again not suitable for most H2's unless they have a lot of mountain experience. Will probably not be teaching Saturday so I may go to Woodstock or High Rock. Will see in the morning.
(202)409-2574 c.

[Ward Odenwald]

I agree with John concerning the velocity at the Pulpit. Thought the choice between Woodstock and the Pulpit for Saturday would get the H2s thinking. From my perspective, both Woodstock and the Pulpit have issues tomorrow (cross-winds at one and high winds (2K and above) at the other) so my correct answer is - Sunday at the Pulpit. Ward

[silverwings]

Ward, I think Sunday at the Pulpit would be probably realy nice and doable for H2's but I will be teaching at Smithsburg that day. So if you are planning on Sunday, start a new topic for it.

[markc]

Yeah, it's shaping up to be one of those cross-at-Woodstock, strong-at-Pulpit type of days....

I'm leaning towards Woodstock at the moment, because the surface 'casts are saying due W @ 1pm, and then swinging slightly north of W by 3pm. The ADDS 3k is calling for W@20-30 for Pulpit and Woodstock at 1pm, with a shift to WNW by 4pm. I don't know if these strong winds-aloft forecasts will really come to pass, but for the moment I'm thinking Woodstock might be a better bet on Saturday.

Was also thinking High Rock, but as of the 9:30 NWS surface forecast:

SATURDAY
MOSTLY SUNNY. HIGHS IN THE MID 50S. WEST WINDS 10 TO
15 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 25 MPH.

I guess we'll have to make a call based on what's happening tomorrow morning.....

MarkC

[markc]

Yikes, tough day to make the call..... There's that front slowly approaching from the W and some wave clouds on the satellite, which argue for Woodstock. But then again we've only got 8 hours of daylight, and will the winds really clock around in time (though still cross) for it to at least be doable at Woodstock?

Since I can't make up my mind, I'm leaning towards the old frontal passage rule-of-thumb: Day-of, go to Woodstock, day-after, Pulpit. But I could still be convinced otherwise I also see that the surface forecast at High Rock has been backed down, it might be good there later in the day.

What are people thinking?

MarkC

[Joe Schad]

Tough call as you say. It looks to me that the 3000 ft winds shift around 4pm and I would suspect things conditions might be fine for the last hour of the day. I can't wait that long because of committments this evening. Probably going to pass on flying today. Sunday at Woodstock is likely to be light and possibly not sorable.

Joe

[markc]

I think I'm going to gamble on a flight later in the afternoon at Woodstock. The 10am NWS forecast for The Pulpit is now W@10-15 G 25 .

Maybe it will swing, maybe it won't, but I don't think I can pass up such a warm sunny January day.....

ETA: 1:30-ish

MarkC

[silverwings]

Am going to give WS a try. ETA 2:30 ish. (202)409-2574 c

[mercury]

Tell tales at woodstock are cycling nicely mainly west cross 25 degrees to launch then switching to the north woot light gusts mebbe 5 gusting go ten

[markc]

Sheesh, dark clouds and even a few raindrops! So I stopped at Woodstock Cafe to check the weather (still SW at all the surface stations)..... Really glad to hear the direction is more promising up top Matt, bodes well for later in the day. See ya in a bit!

[mercury]

Thx Mark and thank you John. Was another beautiful day at woodstock. Kept the streak going now up to five weekends soaring awesome sunset hang gliders and paragliders in the sky .

[markc]

Yup, Sat was most excellent at Woodstock! The front blew through at about 3pm, followed by sun and clear skies. Even a few Q's.

Launched into a W cross, perhaps 10-ish. Struggled for a bit but found something and got above the ridge, and from there it was cake.

BEAUTIFUL sunset flying, in formation late in the day with John M. Lots of redtails and hawks. Strong-ish at times, but quite doable and
lots of fun. The PGs (Jim K, Alex, Christa, Lazslo) may have had a bit more excitement, however, at least until things mellowed out a bit.

We landed at the bridge field, went back up top, where it was STFI soarable with a nearly-full moon rising...... VERY tempting, but no.

MarkC