Woodstock 3/4

[silverwings]

The forecast looks promissing for Sunday. Anyone know whether the road is open or closed?

[bengen]

I called vdot yesterday and they said there would not be much of a chance that they would open it this weekend. I also talked to Hank last night and it was still closed then. I hope this answers your question.

[markc]

I could be tempted to do the hike up the back at Woodstock
if the 'cast holds...

It's really not that bad with two people. Hike the bags up,
then split the load for the two gliders. Three trips total, but
it doesn't wipe you out or anything.

If you're interested, give me a call!

MarkC
301-807-5414

[mikel]

Well, let's try this prognosticating once more......

Adds for noon tomorrow at Woodstock are :
winds WNW ~ 20 mph @ 3000'

TWC forecasts for 22664 (woodstock, va) 44 deg. F
winds WNW 15 to 25 skies partly cloudy....

Lets hope that holds .

'Til then, Mike

[markc]

Janni and I will be car pooling tomorrow (assuming the weather
forecast holds). I've heard that 3 or 4 others are fairly likely.
Come on out, there will be plenty of company!

MarkC

PS: Would like to leave a vehicle in the LZ, just so that there are
multiple landing options. Can be there by 11:00, maybe a bit
earlier. If that gibes with anyone's schedule, give me or Janni
a call!

(mobile) 301-807-5414

[mikel]

adds still showing ~20 mph @ 3K.......

It is now 8:00 am and am ready to meet you guys at the lz about
11'sh to noon....

winds seem to diminsh as the day goes on....and look better around
2:00 to 3:00

will be enroute in about an hour......

can be reached at 304-279-3131 cell

'Til then, Mike

[markc]

Course, they've now ramped up the forecasts, and the trees
here are leaning over. Janni and I are still heading out, but
with little expectation of flying.

I hear that Bruce and Gary are also willing to gamble, hoping
that conditions might be ok by 4 or 5pm.

Guess we'll see!!

MarkC

[eggzkitz]

How was it??

Winds were honking here in DC today.

[markc]

Quite a day, wow!

Arrived Wstock at about 11:30 after picking up Janni. Conferred with
Bruce and Gary, decided a vehicle out front would be a good idea. So
we hung out at the coffee shop for a bit (Sunday wine tastings, BTW)
then met them in the LZ. Mike Lee had reported 15 to 20 up top, and
stopped at the LZ on his way out, after deciding (wisely) that it wasn't a
day for a Falcon.

Got to the back gate by 1:50. Bruce and Gary used their wheeled
contraptions to haul gliders and harnesses in one trip up the back.
Janni and I split the load on our gliders, leap-frogging them and
our harnesses. FYI, that method takes an hour and 10 minutes total,
maybe 30 minutes more than if you've got a 'traption. On the
the plus side, I think the amount of physical effort is about the same
either way.

It had been blowing in sweet, but then started ramping up by the time
Janni and I made it to launch. 10 to 15, with gusts of 20+ and sometimes
higher. But with 3 hours until sunset it seemed like we should at least
set up, maybe the winds would back off.

And eventually they did! Bruce launched at 4:30, then Gary and I gave Janni
a hand. Course it ramped up radically as Janni was waiting for a cycle, with
freight trains rolling through again. But we were patient, and eventually got
a good one. Janni was flying in stronger stuff than he had before, but was
able to out front and above launch, and was able to penetrate ok. Great
launch too.

I helped Gary off next, to return past favors that he's done for me. Excellent,
sweet cycle, and winds were becoming smoother and more laminar.
Then it was my turn.... And *wow* what an effort getting into position to
launch! I briefly thought about moving/spinning the glider before moving
to the slot, but discounted the idea after picturing a gust blowing through
just as I climbed into the harness. So I tried creeping the glider over a
few feet at a time, and was just getting BEAT UP by the force of the wind on
the sail. At least 25 minutes before I could edge things around and counter
some of the forces. And at launch? Totally sweet, steady, laminar, sometimes
gusting but plenty of 15. Sheesh, wish I'd thought things through a bit better.

Anyway, after struggling and cursing, launched without any problem, and got
to enjoy a short sunset flight. Climbed to 1k over, took in the view for
a while, then put it down. Exactly at sunset and no later, of course.

Bruce had FOTD, getting up to 6k (maybe 7?) on his T2. Janni flew down
to Edinburg gap and back, a first for him. And Gary got at least a couple
K over. We rendezvous'd at Fox's Pizza for dinner, brews, and BS'ing, then
hit the road for home.

Just as I was finishing my tear-down in the LZ, I heard some geese honking
overhead as they headed north. Spring should be here soon!

MarkC

[mcelrah]

You guys rule! Great effort yields great satisfaction. I was running late with daddy duty and didn't have a partner for glider hauling, so elected to stay home and have a family dinner. "March comes in like a lion and go out like a lamb." - Hugh

[RedBaron]

What a day indeed.
Thanks Mark and Gary for letting me go second and keeping me from getting inverted right at launch. And, again, thank you so much for going last, Mark. In those conditions a real sacrifice, it'll be my turn next time.
I had the bar 50% to 100% in all the time to stay low and out on the ridge. With a good W cross portion it took me a massive crab angle and a good 45 minutes to reach the gap and just 8 minutes to fly back to the tower. It was hard work on the eagle and my entire body is sore from hiking and flying. But it was so worth it. Again, again!

[markc]

Sheesh, wish I'd thought things through a bit better.

What I should have had handy was a line, so that I could spin
the glider in the setup area, tie the nose wires to a tree, and
then climb into the harness. Even if an errant gust blew through
at the wrong time, that extra assist would probably be enough
for me to keep things cool.

I've seen Randy use this approach when setting up, but I hadn't
thought of its advantages when self-launching.

MarkC