Sat08Dec : Any Polar Bear Pilots? *pics*

[markc]

Thursday PM 'casts are hinting at WNW@6 to 8 sfc on Saturday, light-ish NW at 3k. Possibly a Pulpit day..... But it'll be cold! Do we have any interested pilots in the house?

[XCanytime]

Smithsburg. Anthony and I are going. Looks perfect. Bacil

[mingram]

I love Smithsburg in the winter! I have a party in Frederick at 4pm. Now if I can just convince my date to come to the training hill....

[markc]

Sorry for the bait-and-switch, but just realized I can't commit to a flying day : Too many holiday and work tasks, what was I thinking?

Training hill is very tempting: get there early, knock out a few flights, then have the rest of the day.... Still considering that option.

[XCanytime]

We should get there by 11A+. Bacil

[markc]

Eff-work! I will be at SBurg tomorrow, assuming no major changes in the forecasts. Let's rock the hill!!

[mcgowantk]

I would love to be out there but have family obligations this weekend. I am hoping things will free up for next weekend. Have fun today.

Tom McGowan

[jmcrocker]

Last time I drove by Smithburg the sign was set to closed. Also looked like crops had sprouted in the field. If you can call anyone before you head up there to verify the status I would recommend you do so.

[XCanytime]

Smithsburg historically is open between mid November to mid April. The sign has not been turned. Whoever turns the sign every year is behind schedule. There is a flat winter grass in the flat area. BTW, it was a perfect day for both paragliders and hang gliders on the training hill. Bacil

[silverwings]

Eddie Miller is the person who usually changes the sign.

[markc]

Awesome day! Got some great pics, will post 'em tomorrow.

[XCanytime]

From the Google Forum:

Smithsburg is WIDE OPEN! And I got to soar above Smithsburg for the first time and several times! The hill is in great shape with only new grass planted below so no issues with crops. Bacil, Mark, Anthony, and Danny were the hang glider crew. I was the lone PG. I showed up at 2pm and managed to bang out 7 flights in an hour and a half - with a few touch and gos and some kiting back up the hill. Fun day. I had the right gear on and didn't feel cold at all. Definitely going again the next free weekend.



Matt

[Nick]

I was at work a short distance away yesterday in Hagerstown. Glad you guys had a good time. Would like to have been there, even if only to BS with everyone. I've been to the training hills fairly consistently, once each week x 4 weeks in a row. I'm progressing! As long as the weather and temps cooperate a little bit in the coming months, I'd like to get to the mountain by summer. Fingers crossed!

[markc]

Here are some pics from Smithsburg on Sat December 8th. If anyone wants a full rez version just let me know!

The training hill beckons!

DannyB pic1

DannyB pic2

DannyB pic3

DannyB pic4

[markc]

Second set : Anthony launching his BF-Condor.

AnthonyL pic1

AnthonyL pic2

AnthonyL pic3

AnthonyL pic4

[markc]

Third set of pics: Matt's first flight

Matt I's first flight pic1

Matt I's first flight pic2

Matt I's first flight pic3

Matt I's first flight pic4

Matt I's first flight pic5

[markc]

Fourth set of pics : More of Matt's flights. My vantage point for his third flight wasn't the best : He was totally soaring the hill on that one!

Matt I's first flight pic6

Matt I's first flight pic7

Matt I's third(?) flight pic1

Matt I's third(?) flight pic2

[markc]

Hah! Just discovered that if I simply resize a portrait-orientation photo "as-is" for later attachment to a post, the _thumbnail_ gets presented the wrong way. But when you click/open-in-new-tab on that thumbnail, the photo is oriented correctly:

Might just have to live with that annoyance, I don't have the time for a deep-dive into odd forum quirks. *sigh*