anyone flying this sunday?

[wmelo]

Hello everybody
I know the weather looks terrible today, but if I read it correctly, the weather looks promising at Woodstock and Pulpit next Sunday.
Is anyone planning to burn some energy flying this weekend?

Walt

[FlyingFelix]

I'll probably try to go out if the weather allows it. Looks a bit strong for now but let's wait and see.

[mcgowantk]

I definitely need a day out flying. I am looking at Friday at the Pulpit. Sunday may be possible too.

Tom McGowan

[Matthew]

Looks strong for Sunday-- and I doubt that the Woodstock road will be open after the storm on Saturday.

Monday may be good for the Pulpit--- but COLD!!!!




Matthew

[wmelo]

I am not sure if I am reading right, but it seems that this Friday (tomorrow) the wind will be W in the morning and then turning SW (below 10MPH) in the afternoon at the Pulpit tomorrow. Is it good enough for Pulpit?

walt

[mcgowantk]

Friday does now show it turning SW around noon. The Pulpit is really a NW site, but it takes a west better than a north cross. I agree Sunday is looking strong. Perhaps Tuesday. I would love to fly over the holidays. I could even do Smithsburg!

I also would guess that the Woodstock road is closed and will be for some time.

Tom McGowan

[XCanytime]

I contacted Eddie Miller about a possible Smithsburg day this Sunday. Either that or a good ole' hike in up the back side of Woodstock. One will get plenty of exercise either way for sure. The latest TWC forecast has it NW at 13 at Woodstock and NW at 15 at Hagerstown. Bacil

[XCanytime]

Anybody up for a hike up the back at Woodstock tomorrow? Gary Smith is game. Charley Fager is contemplating. Looks like a late day flight possibility with the winds forecasted to die down some after 3P. Bacil

[wmelo]

If I am able to bribe my two boys to go with me so they can carry the glider up hill, I would love to go. However, the changes are not very high that they will be really excited about helping their father in this mission.

How many miles of hiking are you taking about it?

walt

[FlyingFelix]

I'm probably good for tomorrow.
Though I'd like to know more about the actual site conditions/hike...I've been there quite a few times though I'm not sure what hike are you guys referring to. I know there's the usual hike from the regular parking spaces to the site... I understand they close the road up front to launch in case of snow...if that's closed which way do we go up to launch? How far up the road can we get? How long is the hike?
Sorry about all the questions, hope someone can clarify it all.
Hope to get some air time tomorrow!

[XCanytime]

The hike is .6 miles up a shallow grade to the apex of the mountain where the fire tower trailhead intersects the road. You drive through Fort Valley and drive up Woodstock Tower Road where it intersects Fort Valley Road from the backside. The locked gate on Woodstock Tower Road is .6 miles from the apex. You park there and sherpa your stuff in. Typical hike in time is an hour +/-. With the forecast now calling for a shorter window of abating winds I'm now looking at flying the Pulpit on New Years Day. Bacil

[FlyingFelix]

Thank you for clarifying that Bacil.
So, from what I gather the hike up to Launch from the locked gate on Tower road on the back side of Launch is about an hour. The turn around (from the LZ to the locked gate by way of Edinburg Gap) is about 45 minutes, perhaps a little less.
For this to work we need a plan: meet at the LZ, drop off vehicle(s) there, drive to the locked gate, hike up to Launch, get all set, fly, land at the LZ, pack up, load up (equipment and all), drive back to pick up vehicle(s) at gate on the back side.
Sounds like a lot of time and effort. Well worth it to me if flying is looking good.
If I know for sure another pilot with a vehicle able to carry at least 2 gliders+harnesses is going tomorrow I'm in.
Who's up to it?

[Dan T]

Felix,

It looks like it's probably going to be too strong at Woodstock tomorrow. That's why Bacil said he may fly on New Year's day instead.

Anyway you basically have the logistics figured out. It takes some effort to do it but a flight over the snowy Shenandoah is an experience you won't soon forget.

[FlyingFelix]

Yeah, I saw it's looking a bit strong for the early afternoon and then it's supposed to die down, though I am hoping it'll mellow down earlier in the day. I've seen that happen quite a lot around our sites. By the way winds have been progressing I think it's going to happen. I bet on a nice flying after-noon
Of course I'll follow the weather and if it's too strong I won't risk it... It is a LOT of trouble to go through and not get to fly once there.

[mcgowantk]

I think the effort is worthwhile when the weather forecast is good. I also think about being a mile behind a locked gate, launching in snow, and what that means if there is an incident in terms of exposure and a wait for help. I try to take those factors into account and try to fly there when the forecast is looking especially promising and after hiking in have elected to not fly on marginal conditions.

All that said, I have had many memorable winter flights at Woodstock and would gladly hike up when we get the next good forecast.

Tom McGowan

[wmelo]

Guys
It looks like a little bit too challenging to me at this point. (NORTHWEST WINDS 15 TO 25 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 40 MPH. )
I wish however for those who are going a lot of fun. Hopefully, I will be able to go with you guys next time.

Cheers
Walt

[dbodner]

Someday I want to do this. But not on a day when I'll be tempted to launch in marginal conditions because breaking down and walking away is just too difficult.

[XCanytime]

Well if ya don't go ya don't know. 3:45P reading at Woodstock is NW at 8 MPH. Looks like it has backed down and probably has been since after 3P. Previous reading I saw at 2:45P was NW at 8 gusting to 16 MPH. There will be another day. Bacil

[FlyingFelix]

Yeah, looks like it did back off. Wish we would of been there to fly.
Next time.

[Matthew]

No.. No next time when the forecast is for gusts of 40mph.

It's too insane to even consider.

Matthew