Fri30July : WStock also a possibility?

[markc]

I'm seeing hints of a WStock day on Friday. Bit early to tell if it will be worth gambling a 1/2-day of vacation.... But I'm cautiously optimistic! Anyone else able to get away for a weekday flight?

[markc]

Friday WStock forecast as of Thursday afternoon is looking pretty darn good! I think I can get away around noon, with a 2pm ETA. Anyone else thinking the same?

[Ward Odenwald]

I agree Mark! It looks good up and down the entire Massanutten ridge complex. My launch ETA is 11am.

[markc]

Yeah, sure looks better than that hazy/smoky WStock day that you flew (July 21st). Crossing fingers that the forecast doesn't tank.

BTW, thanks for the heads-up voicemail about the conditions which you sent on that day Ward! And apologies for the lack of a reply, work sucked me back into its clutches. Trying to get things squared away tonight to make d@mn sure that doesn't happen again tomorrow...

[markc]

Awesome day at the Stocker!!!! John McA, Rich H, Ward, JR, Alex, myself. PGers Austin and Mo also there... Not sure, but I'm guessing it didn't mellow out enough for them, hoping to hear otherwise.

Much better day than some recent flights, could actually take a hand off the base tube for a change. Topped out at 6500MSL between the reservoir and Signal Knob. Many thanks to Mo and Austin for their help on launch, great guys!

Definitely worth the half day of vacation, nice!

[Ward Odenwald]

Yes, it was very good! Here are some photos to go along with Mark’s writeup. Two sets of 5 with the first 5 highlighting the Edinburg gap and the last set showing a climb at the north end of the ridge up to 7,100MSL. The Signal Knob thermal must have been huge. The flight track shows that when I first entered its lift, I flew pretty much straight for just under 2 min before turning back into it. My guess is that yesterday’s haze was, to a large extent, caused by smoke from the left coast fires although it was not as thick as the Woodstock haze nine days ago.

https://ayvri.com/scene/e9k4dd34ko/ckrr ... 5ziwi1gwad

Ward

[Ward Odenwald]

last 5 images.

[RichH]

My youtube sketch of the day..took off a little before 5pm ...Nice evening glass off..Check out this quick video!! Rich

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-lP51UrX6iQ