SAVE THE DATE -- 2014 Pulpit Fly-In : Oct 3 - 5

[eggzkitz]

Note posting I just placed in the events/comps section!

http://www.chgpa.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=20&t=6347

[eggzkitz]

Reminder that we're within 3 weeks of the 2014 Pulpit Fly-in, set for October 3-5.

I'll be asking for volunteers to help set-up and with provisions, so let me know if anyone is willing to bring BBQ, coolers, etc.

Hope to see everyone there.

Best,
Jeff

[dbodner]

Charley,

I remember you saying that the grill you placed at the Pulpit had been tossed onto the rocks below launch. Do you think it's possible to resurrect it the morning of the fly-in, or should we plan on bringing something else?

[Dunegoon]

Might be possible, but parts are all over the place. It is below the new launch in a rugged area of boulders. Hope they yelled "clear" first.

[deveil]

So I say to Dave Bodner, “I was thinking we might go rearrange the Pulpit lawn furniture.”

Dave says, “Yeah sure, cool.”

So we did.

[eggzkitz]

Thanks Gary, looking forward to seeing the handy work.

Looking for someone bringing a BBQ (or a truck to load mine), and also drivers for the XC fliers.

Fingers crossed for good weather...

[eggzkitz]

I've uploaded the XC waypoint files to the facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/chgpa/

Let me know if anyone needs the files in a different format.

[XCanytime]

Looks like frontal passage is forecasted at some time on Saturday. Let's hope that the timing is as good as it gets. If so, Sunday should be good. And some of Saturday as well. Bacil

[mingram]

Fingers crossed! I'm in for BBQ and camping at least. I can bring a small weber charcoal grill and charcoal. Does anyone know if the PG LZ is still in crop?

[eggzkitz]

So it's early, but I'm anxious so I'm checking already...

As Bacil says, NWS is suggesting a cold front with chance of precipitation passing through mid-atlantic on Saturday, so chance for post-frontal conditions late Saturday and Sunday... If not too windy for PG.

Our plan is to make the weekend weather call on Thursday night.

[dbodner]

The corn is gone from the PG LZ. Looks like it's been plowed. And the HG LZ looks like it's in the same condition as a couple of weeks ago: mostly in crop but still quite landable.

There's a 1/2 bag of charcoal under the pavilion. The setup area could some trimming, but it's not all that bad. It looks like someone's done a bit of mowing; it might've been the birders.

I spoke with the fellow who owns the trailer across the road from us. He seems cool. I told him we might be having an event this weekend, and there might be cars parked along the road. He's fine with that. All his no-trespassing signs are aimed at the thieves and vandals, not us.

[deveil]

Thanks...

That thanks was meant to have been extended to Dave as well, I'm sure.

[eggzkitz]

Yes indeed, thanks to Gary and Dave.

Weather is looking dicey now, with a big low to the north behind the cold front, making for strong winds aloft forecast for Saturday.

[mingram]

Looks too windy for paragliding. Any hang gliders planning to fly Pulpit this weekend or is it too strong?

[eggzkitz]

We'll be making a weekend weather call this evening on the fly-in. Stay tuned...

[markc]

An on-again/off-again family thing went to "on", and I'm not sure that I can make it Sat night at the Pulpit (assuming things are go). And my usual partner-in-crime is climbing Kilamanjaro, the nerve! So..... Just wondering if maybe someone would like to take charge of some 'sparklers' that I have on hand, for Sat night?

MarkC

[markc]

We have a really difficult forecast at the moment: For Sat, if it's HG-flyable _anywhere_, it seems like it would be Woodstock. Pulpit seems unlikely even late in the day, given that they are calling for "Gusts to 25" on Sat night. And the PG outlook for Sat seems pretty darn dismal.

So it might come down to whether people want to simply have a fun party on Sat night (perhaps after flying Wstock, for the HGers?), with hopes for flying on Sunday (perhaps for the PGers, assuming it doesn't go too SW cross?).

Or... Punt on this weekend, and try again on the backup weekend.

Thoughts? Opinions? Did you set this weekend aside, and the backup isn't an option for you? Just suck it up, and have a party on Sat at the Pulpit, regardless of conditions? Let yourselves be known!

MarkC

[mingram]

I inquired about NW training hills for Saturday since it's looks blown out for PG:
Smithsburg is still closed due to crops
Kirshners is open and could work on Saturday

I talked with Bacil who wants to BBQ and camp Saturday night and is optimistic for flying Sunday morning! I like the optimism! The current forecast could improve...maybe

Jeff, Krista, Jim, and I are up for the BBQ and camping on Saturday night with the hope of flying Dickey's on Sunday.

John Middleton is hoping for the Woodstock effect for hang gliding on Saturday.

Gary may come. I think David Bodner is in.

I need to hear from other people! Who wants to BBQ and camp at the Pulpit regardless of flying?

Who would rather wait until next weekend?

[XCanytime]

I need to hear from other people! Who wants to BBQ and camp at the Pulpit regardless of flying?

This is what it should be about. The flying should be secondary. The social aspect and camaraderie should be the primary reason for the gathering. And the flying on Sunday should be just fine for a good bit of the day at the Pulpit for both HGers and PGers. Bacil

[eggzkitz]

UPDATE: We're tentatively still on for camping Saturday night and flying Sunday, but the location is TBD, and we'll make another weather call tomorrow (Friday) night at 9 pm. We might camp at HR Saturday if that looks like the better place for Sunday for the HGs. If we camp at HR, PGs will need to relocate Sunday morning to WS or Dickies if those look better than Pulpit. Friday night will be rain as the front comes through, and Saturday looks quite windy, but Sunday may be better. The overall forecast for the weekend has improved a little over the last 12 hours, but the winds are still stout.

Sunset is 6:50 p.m. and the weather is COLD and WINDY so dress warmly.

Here's the xcskies 3-day soaring forecast:

And here's the winds aloft for Saturday at 3K:

And for Sunday at 3K:

[theflyingdude]

Weekend NWS forecast for McConnellsburg, PA:

Saturday A chance of showers, mainly before 7am. Partly sunny, with a high near 61. West wind 11 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Saturday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 35. West wind 6 to 9 mph.

Sunday Mostly sunny, with a high near 58. West wind 6 to 11 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph.

JR

[Dan T]

Early on in this thread there was some discussion of postponing a week in the event of rain. How about considering postponing? We rarely get a chance to get everyone together. The PGers will have no chance of flying the PUlpit in the forecasted conditions.

I confess to suggesting this a bit selfishly as I am on the road home and will be able to make it next week.

Dan T

[XCanytime]

The PGers will have no chance of flying the PUlpit in the forecasted conditions.
Dan T

Early Sunday the PGers will be able to fly. And if they are camped overnight in the setup area, they will be right there to take advantage of the nice conditions right at their doorstep. This back and forth is completely unnecessary when you think about the main reason we get together. The flying is secondary. Go hiking on the Tuscarora Trail. Visit the biker bar next door. Go visit Cowans Gap State Park some 5 miles away. There are so many things to do at the Pulpit other than flying. Bacil

[eggzkitz]

We'll caucus again this evening and then post a plan for weekend fly-in at 9 pm.

In the interim, how's this for a cold front...

[jmcclave]

I am planning on bringing my bike out on Saturday to get a ride in if anyone else wants to join. I am looking at Ride with GPS to see options within 10 miles of launch. I'd look to do 30 or so miles but I can be talked into a shorter or longer rid. I'd then head to the training hill to fool around with the PG.

Jim