PG Friday 4/27

[guy didier]

PG at Pulpit or Woodstock?

[mcgowantk]

I'm looking at going to woodstock.

Tom McGowanl

[FallingWithStyle]

Any paragliding observers planning on going?

[Ward Odenwald]

I agree with Tom. If forecasts hold, I'm headed to Woodstock. Ward

[sailin]

I'll be at Woodstock Friday.

Jon

[markc]

Going to try to clear enough of Friday's tasks that I can head to WS by early afternoon; here's hoping.....

(incredible skies today, *sigh*)

[rasmussenv]

I, too, expect to be at Woodstock tomorrow. Subject says PG, but also looks like a nice HG crowd is assembling!

[jyoder111]

What's this, winter hibernation is over? I'm in!

Somebody bring some barbecue!

Jesse

[kcarra]

I've never seen such a crowd of mid-week fliers as over the past year. Have to say I'm very jealous and I don't know how most of you do it. Have fun tomorrow.
-Karen

[mcgowantk]

I am out tomorrow. The forecast is now on the strong side for me to take the day.

Now I am watching Monday as a potential highland day

Good luck to those that give it a try tomorrow.

[silverwings]

Tom, what makes you say on the "Strong Side". I see fairly windy at altitude early in the day but no too bad by afternoon. Lift looks quite strong. Other opinions?

[jyoder111]

Tomorrow looks fine to me! Yes, could be strong early, but then maybe not. Woodstock forecasts have been stronger than realized multiple times this spring. I plan to arrive early just in case.

Jesse

[rasmussenv]

nostepper is telling me that things should be good by around nooon through all elevations. And thermal conditions look amazing. I'll do another check in the am - keeping my fingers crossed. Is there another source showing a different story?

[guy didier]

Any PG interested in going to Woodstock in the afternoon? I'm a P3, not an observer.

[mcgowantk]

Hey John

I had to make a call this morning, so I went with the forecast at that point. I also had a driver lined up and needed to commit one way or the other. The forecast has changed some so I wouldn't take my decision as meaning it is not worth going out.

In the morning, the isobar spread looked really good - in fact on the light side. That is my favorite forecast and I thought the morning forecast would be lighter than the night before. However, the text forcast was stronger at 10-15 with gusts to 30 and the chgpa weather site hourly forecast showed strong gusts all day. Lastly, the intellicast (which is another favorite of mine) showed winds over 15 mph. While I am well aware of the woodstock effect, I decided that the odds were 50-50 and not worth the work and driver commitments. Additionally, Monday looks promising too and I could try that day instead.

If it was a weekend, I likely would have gone but didn't want to take the day off work.

Have fun tomorrow.

Tom

[markc]

'Casts as of Thursday night now seem better than 50-50 for afternoon HG flights, so I"m starting to make plans to head out Fri PM, 2:30-ish. Hope that 66 isn't jammed by then!

If anyone else is planning for a late arrival, let me know, we might be able to coordinate a vehicle drop.

MarkC

[Dan T]

Several PGers are talking about going. I'm on the fence. It looks to be pretty strong. Probably better for HG.

Dan

[jyoder111]

eta around 10:45. Call if you want a conditions report.

Jesse

[sailin]

ETA to main LZ 1030ish. give me a call if you want to do a car drop.....would be better if you leave your equipment up at launch.....I can probbly take two pilots back up with me.

Jon

[markc]

Soaring... Good! Friends... Good! Frustrating drive out and
lots of traffic, but got into the air with Jesse's help,and flew for 1hr+ Great to be back but it was cold!

[DanTuck]

Made my way out to Woodstock today. Really nice day although a little chilly. I helped wire crew for awhile and decided to launch a little later. Got the itch around 3:30 and launched - lift everywhere, really easy soaring. I followed Joe around for a little while and an immature bald came to play with us. He flew around with us for a few minutes until he was bored and then bolted. I ended up at 6,200 msl before punching out into the valley. Fighting a headwind I got to the courthouse at 2,500' and found a light thermal which I drifted back to the bridge field with. Thanks Jesse for the help on launch and Joe for the ride back up. Congrats to Matt for an awesome first flight at WS. Great day!

[jyoder111]

Nice photo, Dan!

Yeah, was a good day. I had two flights, one around noon and one around 4:30pm. First was a rollercoaster, second was nice and smooth. Great to see so many pilots out on the mountain!

Jesse

[XCanytime]

What an awesome photo Dan ! Looks like another Woodstock photo is going to make the magazine soon enough. Bacil

[Danny Brotto]

The sailplane gang dubbed the Massanutten the "40 Mile Dragstrip"... there's 8 miles of it.

Impressive pix.

Danny Brotto

[jyoder111]

I didn't get high or go far like some of the others, but it was an enjoyable day, nonetheless.

Not as spectacular as Dan's photo from 6200 msl, but here are the vids if anyone cares to watch.