Saturday -> April 18, 2015

[Ward Odenwald]

Looks flyable, but where? Earlier today the forecasts made the decision an easy one but that was then and this is now (1.5 days out). Wind direction and speed are changing. Please advise.

Ward

[Ward Odenwald]

Just read Mark's post that went online while I was in the middle of posting mine. Sorry!

[Matthew]

We are thinking of going to Smithsburg in the morning and High Rock in the afternoon.

Matthew

[Dan T]

It looks like the Pulpit could work Saturday. With fairly light winds in the morning increasing to moderate by early afternoon it could be a real good XC day for those willing to get there fairly early. The PG pilots, if any, will probably have to launch before noon. I plan on going if I can get others to join me.

Dan

[XCanytime]

As good as it can get. Bacil

[Matthew]

I beg to differ.

Looks too North cross to me for the Pulpit.

Matthew

[XCanytime]

NW at HGR all day until late in the PM where it goes NNW. Simple. Get there early as was previously said. Bacil

[darbbb]

Still no consensus? Guidance, please…

Brad

[dbodner]

I'm leaning toward High Rock. I'm not saying it won't be good elsewhere, too.

[markc]

I've seen conflicting forecasts, and will defer my decision until tomorrow AM.

Like... There's a news flash!

PS: But the glider is darn sure going on top of my vehicle tonight!!

[Kelvin Pierce]

I'm leaning toward High Rock as well.

[darbbb]

I will check here in the morning as well and see what people are thinking. I have not flown High Rock, so if I head there I will need to meet Emma Jane, walk the LZ, etc. and yes I have a CL sign off. Hope to see you guys tomorrow.

Brad

[brucekav]

Hi,
Considering either Highland or going to one of the mountain sites on Sat. Not flown either Pulpit or High Rock before, so will seek guidance from those who know the sites. Do I need to do anything about waivers in advance or are they available at the sites?

Bruce

[Ward Odenwald]

All things considered, if I knew how to fly a PG, I’d be tossing that sack in the back of my glider vehicle and leaving the “speed bar” (or whatever they call it) in the closet tangled up with my triathlon gear. Kidding aside (well almost), the PGers must really be liking what they’re seeing tonight – forecasted light winds in the mountains with decent lapse rates. Thermal conditions also look promising at Ridgely and unless, as Mark states, “there’s a news flash!” early AM, I’m headed to Highland. Wherever we end up, I’m hoping that we all hook thermals up to an incredible view!

Ward

[Rich E]

Heading to Highland with Dan (Lucky Chevy) and hopefully Brian, ex-H2 from out West

Rich

[Rich E]

Heading to Highland with Dan (Lucky Chevy) and hopefully Brian, ex-H2 from out West

Rich

[markc]

Leaning toward the Pulpit now:gust factor has been removed from the forecasts, and supposedly staying true W a bit later than previously. And the hourly is calling for <10 at High Rock. Other opinions?

MarkC

[Matthew]

We are going to Smithsburg first and then making up our minds. ADDS and MRF still show North cross at Pulpit.

Still leaning towards High Rock.

Matthew

[markc]

Surface NWS hourly claims WNW at McC until 2pm, then NW, then NNW by late afternoon. And the velocity is more of a Pulpit 'cast than a HighRock 'cast. Agree that ADDs is cross at 3k. But current conditions at Altona and Johnstown are actually WSW. Decisions, decisions....

[Dan T]

Pulpit looks good to me. I don't know why nobody is going

[markc]

I'm heading to the Pulpit. Will check weather on the way. Call if anyone wants to coordinate.

301 807 5414

[POLISH EAGLE]

I am heading to the Pulpit. ETA 11:30 AM.

[lbunner]

The Pulpit looks great today. Hope Bruce chooses to go there.

[Rich E]

Highland was great today - took an early flight, with fin, at 1000 and found good, organiser lift at 2000' hung out for 45 mins.

Next flight was at 1300, more active, thermally, switchy but pinned off and climbed straight to 5200', flew for an hour then headed down to land before things got too interesting.

Quite a few topless pilots plotting 40-50 mile triangles - will be good to find out if they made it.

Cheers

Rich

[John Simon]

Another great weekend for Highland. Got there late as usual and after Bruce declined, Ric N. called me and we set up a North triangle into a light north wind. We trimmed it down to 35 miles as it was 2:30 by the time we launched and it was totally blue to the north (south looked pretty much awesome). There was one puffy overhead and Ric climbed up while I followed. We got to 6000' pretty quickly (400 fpm) and headed north to a small puffy (the last one we'd see) and topped out. It took forever to fly the crosswind/headwind leg to Flying C... it was only about 13-15 miles. We didn't get real low but finding and centering the lift in the blue with a crosswind was tricky. The backward drift did not help either. We got he first TP and then headed to the second, with the lift weakening and the tops of the climb down to less than 4000'.

Heading into the second TP (Roseland) to the W or WNW we had a tough time. It was still a headwind and of course blue, but we dribbled along and as we got closer and lower... we ended up separated. Ric got low and landed at the TP (a friend of his lives there!) and I hit it and headed south (finally downwind) and low over Suldersville. Near 5 pm, things were getting pretty soft and I worked weak lift from 1500' up to 3600 or so and went on glide. Arriving over a chicken coop at about 600', I worked some punchy (and smelly) lift and soon found myself at 400' (don't ask, not so good at this climbing thing). I did get back up to 600 again but then lost it all in a turn or 2. I landed nearby, 11 miles short of a 35 mile triangle. Thanks to John W. for the nice retrieve and Ric N for dragging me around the Delmarva.
Super fun and challenging day. Next time I go downwind!

John