WS yesterday (2-7-07)

[garys]

Bruce and I blazed fresh tracks in the snow at WS yesterday. Bruce drove us both down from Berryville. I tried out my new glider chariot to haul my glider up the hill for the second time this week. It is a glider carrier that looks like a chariot with wheels of wood. The wooden wheels are carousel shelves out of scrap base cabinets here at work. I will just leave the device at WS if anyone wants to use it. I have to think about a place to keep it though. It really does save your energy for flying instead of using it on lugging gear.
We both launched close to 3:30. Bruce first with a good launch, then me after a 5 min. wait. Good air with plenty of thermals. 30 deg left cross. Nice and clear. Great views with snow on the ground. Looking for black bears. Only saw trees that looked like black bears. 1 hr. 1200 over. Bruce got 2x as high and went OTB to retrieve the truck. My vario died with 500 over so I bailed to the front side. Waited for Bruce for the retreive. Thanks Bruce!!! Geat day. Saturday looks good too. Any hikers out there. Doubt the road will be open.

[mcelrah]

As mentioned, I'm desperate. So would definitely entertain thoughts of flying Saturday - but might not accept a 30 degree cross... I said "maybe" and that's final! - Hugh

[mcgowantk]

I am in for Saturday. I will check things tomorrow and Saturday am. Thanks for leaving your chariot Gary. My back still hurts from last winter.

Tom

[jeffabra]

I'm the new guy in town and trying to figure it all out...

I'd be interested in meeting and going to a site on Saturday if anyone is
going. Someone told me Smithsburg might be good this weekend and also a friendly site (I probably should do a lengthy pre-flight of my glider to make sure nothing happened to it during the move, and a training site could work well for that)... but I don't know where any of these places are... Maybe I can build up some early karma by driving. I also need to be back for dinner with friends by 5PM, so don't know if that would keep me out of the loop.

How's that for non-commital?

-Jeff

[RedBaron]

I'm in for a Woodstock flight.
Jeff, Smithburg is your only option if you have to be back by 5. It's a nice wide open training hill, Richard Hays will likely be there with his students if it's not blowing too strong.
Take 270 North to 70 West. Drive about 20-25 miles on 70W to the Smithburg exit. Drive straight through the roundabout and all the way to Smithburg. Once on Main Street, make a left and drive out of town (about 1.5 miles). The site is on the back side of the first hill on your left hand side.

[jeffabra]

thanks for the heads up... maybe I'll try Smithburg

-Jeff

[hang_pilot]

Take 270 North to 70 West. Drive about 20-25 miles on 70W to the Smithburg exit (Rt 66). Drive straight through the roundabout and all the way to Smithsburg. Turn left at light onto Main Street, and drive out of town (about 1.8 miles). The site is on the back side of the second hill on your left hand side.

Hi, Jeff-

I made a few corrections above. Protocol is no more than 3 cars parked at the pull-in for the hill. If there are more there, please unload your gear and then park along the dirt road on the backside of the hill.

You probably know this already, but just in case: Smithsburg is a 115' t-hill that takes NW winds. And if you haven't already, you should order the MidAtlantic Site Guide which has info on all of the local flying sites. Ordering information is at http://www.chgpa.org/SiteInfo/siteinfo.html.

Hope you have a great day tomorrow.

~Daniel