Father's Day Fly-In: Blue Mtn. Ski Area

[Drew]

The Little Gap club has been invited by Blue Mountain Ski Area to have a Fly-In event on Father's Day, June 17th. The Slopes, Located in Palmerton, PA, are having a Father's day celebration, with vendors, activities, and amusements for the whole family. During this event, the Little Gap Club will be launching from the top of the slopes, which offer a clean, grassy launch site. As many as four thousand attendees are expected, and the Ski Area has even offered a table to the Club in order to represent the club, and the sport! Come on out and help the Little Gap Club reign in this new site with style!

In the event of unfavorable winds, Terry Bono will have two tow rigs available, and the Fly-In will relocate to the Club's field area in Washington, NJ. (1000 foot tows are regular at this location, and 2000+ have been achieved) Directions to that location will be provided if it becomes necessary.

Video of recent flights from Blue Mountain are available here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=pl ... 0jsUHvNVBI

[jyoder111]

I learned to ski at Blue Mountain on a high school trip. It'd be sweet to fly there some day! Do they take HGs on the lift?

Jesse

[Drew]

They're not running lifts, but they've allowed Terry to use the access road to the top of the mtn so you can drive your HG in.

[markc]

So this is both an HG and PG event? Interesting..... And not much further from the DC area than the Sac. What's the LZ situation like, and what direction does launch face Drew?

MarkC

[Drew]

Mark, both HGs and PGs are invited and encouraged to attend. The launch is North facing, but the wide grassy slopes provide a healthy bit of leeway. (The large asphalt parkinglot NW of launch provides the house thermal, in case little lift is coming upslope.) The field 2mi NE of Merrill Creek Reservoir (the alternate site) can accommodate any direction, although North/South give the longest tows.

LZs are at the base of the mountain, or at the fairgrounds NW of launch.

The Little Gap club is asking for a $20 donation from attendees to help establish separate insurance for this site, which Blue Mtn is requesting if the site is to remain open for summer launches.

[Pete Schumann]

Hey Drew,

Any thought on conditions Sunday? Long range cast not so good for a North site.

Thanks,

Pete

[Drew]

Pete,
Right now the forecast is looking like solid south winds. There is a south site on Blue mtn, but we will most likely be going to the field in Washington, NJ (it's only 15 mins away). North/south is the best for the field, since it gives us (PGers, at least) a solid tow to 1k AGL on the regular (like I said before, he's pulled to over 2200ft AGL there, before, and the site is on a hill 1k above the valley. Plenty of opportunity). If there's a good turnout, Terry will be bringing both of his tow rigs.

I'm on my phone now, but i'll post up directions when I get back, so you can all check out the Washington field. Also, if anyone is going to be coming up through central PA, I'm near Harrisburg; we can work out some ridesharing.

The weather is looking great, even if the windsock's blowing the wrong way for the ski slopes. I'll be happy flying either site (first flight since I broke my back, woohoo!) But I'm still hoping for North winds

Oh, and the club is only asking $5 for the fly-in now. Should be a good day!

[Pete Schumann]

Thanks Drew,

I'm heading up to Scranton on Saturday and was planning on going to the Blue Mt fly-in on Sunday. I don't tow so unless conditions change I'm out.

There are a few of us down here who would love to check out the Mt. site so if you see a possible good day let us know.

Thanks,

Pete

[Drew]

Pete,

Alright, crossing my fingers for a 180 degree shift in wind.

For anyone who wants to go fly regardless of wind direction, the training field is located at 40.756555,-75.068378 If the wind is still South, we should have great conditions. I have room in my car for a PGer (sorry, HGers. RSXs are a tad small for your gear.)

If anyone wants to go up to the field tomorrow for some flying, I'm heading up in the a.m. Let me know.