Daniels Sunday 10/14

[XCanytime]

Right now it looks pretty good. 70+ temps and SSW winds. Anybody know what shape the launch slot is in? Bacil

[rlweber]

It is in good shape. However, since it is Daniels, those ever pesky weeds can always use trimming. I am also keeping my eye on Sunday.

Randy

[callen]

Anyone have the GPS coords for Daniels launch and LZ? Is it near woodstock?

Charlie

[jyoder111]

Daniels is near Stanardsville, VA.

[XCanytime]

Daniels launch is 39 miles south of Woodstock launch as the crow flies. Daniels launch is located at N 38 degrees 18.645 minutes W 78 degrees 30.703 minutes. The LZ is approx. N 38 18.3 W 78 30.6. Bacil

[Matthew]

I can't make it on Sunday.

I have the club weed whacker, with trimming line and circular saw attachments, and fuel. If anyone wants to take it to Daniel's, shoot me an email (not a PM). It will make quick work of clearing the slot.

Matthew
mcgraham20 at hotmail.com

[callen]

Thanks, don't think i can make it, a bit far.

Is direction good for Jack's? I could make that.

charlie

[XCanytime]

The Jacks LZ may still be closed. You need to check with Shawn MacDuff, president of the Hyner club, and get the status of Jacks before attempting to fly there. Bacil

[mikecosner]

I will try to make the long journey from Charlottesville. Probably cant get there until 2:30pm-ish at earliest.

Mike Cosner

[Ashley Groves]

May be good, but it is a bit far. I think I will let the wife off and not fly. Look forward to th ereports!

[Dan T]

Several of us PGers flew Daniels on Thursday. A significant contingent of us are planning to fly there tomorrow. The launch is in pretty good shape. The HG community should have no trouble launching in suitable conditions.

The road up sucks. The vegetation on both sides of the road has encroached into the road and will scrape along the side of our vehicles. Two people walking up with a couple of machetes could clear most of it easily. The road itself is rougher than I've seen it in recent months, but it is doable in a high clearance vehicle if you are careful.

Dan

[XCanytime]

A beautiful day to be outside. Met up with Dan and Jon at 12:30P at the bottom. They splinted their gliders to the ladder and we and my driver wife slowly 4WDed it up to the top. The road is really washed out in spots before the switchback at the top. At the top conditions were soarable and nice and smooth. As we set up some high clouds moved in and diminished the frequency and amplitude of the cycles. The sun came back out and things looked better but not as good as earlier. Dan took off first just after 3P with a great launch and worked hard to get up above the mountain. A light thermal out in front of the slot enabled him to figure 8 at first in the weak lift but he stuck to it and got up. I got on launch and waited for a cycle. A light one percolated and I committed to the launch. After getting airborne the right wing came up so slightly but my initial roll input did not roll it level. As a result I started drifting towards the trees on the left side of the slot. I pulled in a little and the second attempt rolled it level. It was good that conditions were quite smooth and light. Flew out of the slot and headed west to look for some lift. Turned back at the corner and headed back by launch but I was quite below launch level. Headed out and had a nice landing on the spine of the "south" field. Looked up and saw Dan at 1K'+ over. Jon took off shortly after I landed and got up. He and Dan shared the sky until Dan landed around 4:20P; Jon put down around 4:45P. Randy Weber and Mike Cosner showed up at launch after I had taken off. They both launched and got up as I packed up and loaded the plowhorse that scaled the rocky road to launch. Judy and I then headed to the Early Mountain Winery just east of Wolftown on Rt. 230. Got a table out on the patio and ordered some food and some wine. Dan and Jon joined us just before closing time at 6P. We watched the sunset drinking some fine Virginia wine and eating a fine cheese plate. A fitting end to a nice day. Bacil

[DanTuck]

Well, it wasn't the stellar day we were hoping for... It was really nice when Jon, Bacil and I got there (heard that one before).... I launched first into a light cycle and almost sank out. Was a bit below launch but managed to get lucky and a little thermal came through, getting me back above. After some close-in scratching I finally got above the ridge where life was much easier. Highest I got was a little under 3,300 msl - 1600' over launch. Flew with a few vultures today and had a nice landing after an hour, also on the spine of the south field. I'm glad Randy and Mike both got flights in. Good to see you guys also! Thanks to Judy for driving down.The Winery is a very cool spot. Great day to be outside!

[sailin]

Bacil and Dan summed it up nicely already. T-shirts and south slope fun in mid October! Doesn't get any better than that. Fun day but very tricky initially getting up. Once up above the ridge it was much friendlier but there were still some flush cycles to deal with. I ended up topping out at 2700'msl-just above a 1000' over. Had a very enjoyable flight before joining the fellas in the LZ and eventually at the winery with Bacil, Judy and Dan. Big thanks to Bacil and Judy for not only giving us a glider ride up the mountain but also for inviting us to end the day with them at that cool winery. What a neat place....I will definitely go back. Also great to see Randy and meet Mike. Hope to fly with you guys soon.

I am planning on starting another thread on what the club thinks we can do, if anything, to improve the road up to launch. It's getting worse and worse. I tried to make it up in the new Subaru but gave up about half way as it was definitely going to be a clearance issue in a few spots. I think after this winter we might have an even bigger problem on our hands.

Jon