Taylors (Sat) and/or Smithsburg (Sun)?

[Eric]

Still kinda early to tell, but Taylors may become do-able before the party on Sat with “easy” spot landing winds or Smithsburg on Sun potentially with really nice windspeed if it turns more WNW.

Thoughts? Interest?

[XCanytime]

I'd say go to Smithsburg Sunday morning, then come up to the Pulpit for a late afternoon mountain flight. Should be a few pilots at the Pulpit Sunday. Bacil

[Ward Odenwald]

Juan and I went to Smithsburg yesterday and decided not to fly given the status of the LZ. The recently harvested cornfield has been transformed into a field of 1 to 1.5 foot tall pongee sticks. Most corn shafts are firmly rooted and cannot be easily kicked over. I stepped directly on top of several and was surprised to find that they did not fold/collapse with ~190 lb on them! I’m concerned that a less than perfect landing could result in major trauma to exposed skin (your face!) or that covered by thin clothing. Walk the LZ and see for yourself! If you fly, use a helmet with a full face visor.

Ward

[silverwings]

Ward, thanks for the post about the Smithsburg LZ surface conditions. I was thinking of stopping by there on Sunday (if I go to the Pulpit) to check it out but now don't need to. Taylors looks minimally flyable on Saturday though the forecast may improve by Friday night.

[markc]

Looking pretty lighton Sunday, but giving the Pulpit serious thought anyway...
Is the HG secondary/PG primary now clear of crop? I'd imagine so, but figure
better to find out for sure....

[Eric]

Looks like it might be a Tai Chi and indoor-pool, flatwater, playboating and/or winter slalom kayaking weekend for me. If anyone knows the farmer, perhaps they could ask if we could use a brush hog or something to cut those cornstalks closer... I'm willing to be part of that volunteer party, with the owner's permission...

I'll get back to the mountain eventually.

[Ward Odenwald]

Mark, the secondary LZ has been harvested but have not seen it close up.

[bustedwing2]

Just checked the Pulpit secondary, the corn has been picked but the stalks are still there. Most about knee high,some taller,some shorter,some soft and pliable,some perfectly vertical and stiff and spearlike.