Keep an eye on Mon27Apr

[markc]

Current 'cast for Monday is NW15-20G25, about as classic as they get for WS. Thinking that I might try to clear some things at work tomorrow, so that I have an option for taking some time off on Monday.

Anyone else considering it?

MarkC

[thermalup]

I am keeping an eye on it but the current afternoon winds aloft forecast is strong. Wind velocity at launch on the 24th didn't back off even as late as 7:00 pm. This leads me to ask: In general, how is Woodstock's pure ridge lift in the morning (let's say launching as early as 10-11 am) with a forecast like tomorrow?
...::Jim G.

[markc]

I do see hints of a ramp-up at 3k very late in the day, but nothing (yet) that is making me think no-go. The bigger issue for me is that it looks like a mostly cloudy day, weighing that vs. taking time off, hmmm....

As far as an early launch on a day that might get stronger: Well, you just have to be prepared to stick things out until conditions mellow. Assuming that they do!

[markc]

Oh, and as far as ridge lift goes.... If it's blowing in at even 10-ish on launch, that's pretty much a guarantee of a ridge soaring flight. WS is about the most reliable site that we have in that regard.

[thermalup]

Thx Mark for the information. I'll recheck the forecast around 9:00 am. If conditions look good, will cruise by the bridge field maybe around 10:30-11:00. Will have room for one more pilot/glider (bring your own pads though).
..::Jim G.

[markc]

I'm planning the same Jim, though my ETA would be a bit later. Will check in again a bit after 9.

[markc]

Updated NWS sfc forecast is now NW10-15, no gust facter at all : A bit light rather than a 'classic' WS 'cast.

OTOH: Winchester has been in the teens, with a G20 shortly after 8:00am. And the ADDS 3k is calling for NW15-20, gradually filling-in to 20-30.

I think I'm still willing to give it a shot, if you're still in Jim.

[markc]

PS: Give me a call if you want to coordinate: 301 807 5414

[thermalup]

I saw the same in the updated forecasts. However, I am near Linden right now and can see cumulus developing but with 25+ mph drift on them. Cloud base is maybe 4K ... just guessing. I am now aiming for 11:00 ETA but I am hoping for less velocity in WS.

[markc]

Well.... It was definitely a gamble.... But (short version), it paid off! More later when I have a real keyboard

[thermalup]

Fun day for running the ridge -- surprising turbulence in places but also a few sweet 700 fpm thermals. Incredible dynamics with the cloud activity. Thank you to Mark for his friendly guidance and insight. Thank you also to Mark and Marzena for their launch assistance!

[markc]

What a great day this turned out to be!

My initial thought was that I had totally blown it for three days in a row. Saturday turned out to be an OK day at the flight park (Highland Aerosports) in spite of my concerns about low ceilings and gray skies. From what I hear, it was actually a decent day for first tows of the season (which is what I'd been hoping for). Strike One!

On Sunday, it looked pretty hard north at Highland, with 7-10 on the ground, including at the crack-o-dawn. I was hoping for a near-calm day in the early AM, and opted not to hit the road even though I was up at 6:00am. Sigh. And then I also decided to pass on the Sac, given the long road time. As it turned out, conditions were epic (8k MSL) at Highland, and I have to assume the same for the Sac based on how awesome the sky looked. Doh! Strike Two!

So my hope was that today would work out ok at Woodstock. Initial forecast on Sat was NW10-15G25.... But then it was all over the map. G30 on Sun PM. Then back down to G25 on Sun evening. Then NW@10-15 with no gusts at all on Mon AM at 8:30. Two hours later, the forecast was back to G25. Come on... Really?????

I arrived on launch at 11:45, and just as I got there the trees started bending, and Jim mentioned that conditions were the strongest since he and Marzena had arrived. I'm looking/listening, and thinking "Wow. Strike Three!"

But conditions mellowed as we set up, and there were VERY long lulls, long enough that the pace of our set-ups really started to accelerate. The sky was about 90% overcast (several hours before it was supposed to be, figures!), but a check of the area airports was encouraging, and we decided that it was going to be a "GO!" day.

Jim launched first and beamed up immediately. I followed not long after with expert help from Marzena. Many thanks for your help getting into the slot!

Conditions in the air were sporty, to strong, to downright turbulent. I max'ed out at 5k MSL a couple of times, but spent much of my flight at around 3.2k MSL. Headed south for a while, flew with a red tail for a bit, then headed north. The sky was very dramatic, and we started getting some breaks which filled the entire valley with sun (briefly). There was also some virga visible upwind at points, enough that it became a matter of planning one's position on the ridge, just in case. But as it turned out, the WV ridges rung the rain out of the air and we didn't have to deal with anything after all. One of the highlights was the 50-Shades-Of-Green that we got to enjoy from the air. It was comparable to fall colors, in reverse, with the darker green foliage snaking down into the clefts that run away from the ridge, and the brighter spring greens further up the ridge. Beautiful!

It felt like a day in the late-Fall after a frontal passage. Very strong lift. Amazing sink at times. I actually ran away from crazy-strong lift just south of the resevoir at one point... And I just don't do that, might have been a first/second.

Oh, yeah.... It was COLD UP THERE!! After about 2 hours I'd had enough, sore, and fingers frozen. So I followed a nice lift line out into the valley to get to the bridge field once the valley clouded over again, and then hit some spookily-smooth 800-down sink (wave down-wash?), and the landing was a complete non-event. Very happy!

Jim landed not long after, and then Marzena swung by within minutes. She was kind enough to give me a body ride back up top, and I have to say that it was great meeting both of them, plus Kleeya, their collie. We hung around in the bridge field for a while after breaking down, watching the clouds and enjoying the sun. Fantastic!

The skies were just as dramatic on the drive back, with a few sprinkles, and great 'crepescular rays' in the rear-view mirror.

MarkC

[deveil]

'always get pleasure in Mark's write-ups. it comes through that he's enjoying himself - even when he's almost not. :~}