weekend (16-18 March 2019) @ WS

[wmelo]

Is the WS road open?
It looks like we are finally having a weekend of (N|W) NW winds with temperature around 50F in WS.

Thoughts?

Walt

[markc]

Based on a text conversation, it sounds like the road up the back is closed at that dreaded gate, the one that gets closed for bad winter weather. So it's a .7 mile haul up to launch from that point. Sigh.

[markc]

Items like these might be helpful:

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Portable-Fol ... gJGH_D_BwE

[silverwings]

I believe Ward had a nice setup similar to those.

[markc]

Just ordered a canoe carrier at Amazon, delivery on Friday

[Ward Odenwald]

Sorry for not commenting sooner as I just read the canoe carrier posts. It's important that the carrier's wheel diameter be 15 inches or greater. My first carrier had 10 inch diameter wheels and it wasn't much help. The greater the wheel diameter, the closer you can place the cart at the glider's center of gravity. In other words, the cart carries the glider while you steer. With a 10 inch diameter wheel cart, you are basically carrying half the weight given that the cart must be positioned at one end of the glider to keep that end from draging on the ground. Plus, the smaller wheeled carts have shorter axels that enhance the chances that it will flip it one of the wheels gets hung up on a rock. The cart I use now has 15.5 inch diameter wheels. For more info: google Seattle Sports Products. The following link takes you to the cart that works for me https://www.seattlesportsco.com/paddlin ... w-atc.html

Ward

[markc]

Well.... If the forecasts remain as promising as they seem right now.... And if the wheels on the carrier are less than ideal.... I'll just drag that darn thing up the mtn, huskie/Iditarod-style, bring it on!

[XCanytime]

Last time I hiked up the back of Woodstock it took about an hour from the gate to the launch slot. Glider on shoulder, wearing harness and helmet, with basetube in hand, I would walk around 40 yards and stop, drop the glider and basetube on the ground, and rest. Walk another 40, rest, and repeat. Don't forget to bring a fresh pair of socks and shirts to change into before flying cuz you will be a sweatin' . The bushes around the rocky wall just before the apex make for good clotheslines in the lee of the wind and with full sun for most of the day. Bacil

[markc]

Having a cart/carrier makes a huge difference.... But granted, still a bit of a chore. As of Thursday PM, I'm still interested. We will see!

[wmelo]

I will not be able to make WS this Saturday.
However, I am very interested in flying Sunday from Pulpit (see post in forum)

[markc]

Bit of a gamble tomorrow, with the G20+ lasting until near sunset (NWS sfc hourly as of Fri night). ADDS 3k not crazy strong.

I'm still considering, but definitely would need to hear from some other like-minded pilots, given the road situation!

Pulpit on Sunday is certainly an option, and maybe the better gamble...