Edith Gap project has been approved

[jmcclave]

I heard from Cameron Seals - the USFS point of contact that we have been dealing with for the reopening of the Edith's Gap launch. The project has been approved and they will schedule the work to remove the invasive plan species and clear the launch site after October. I will talk to him to him tomorrow to get an understanding of what the USFS expects from us and I'll send a note out to the group.

Thanks,
Jim McClave

[dbodner]

Great news, Jim. Thanks for taking point on this project.

[Dan T]

Fantastic, way to go Jim.

This will open up a virtually new SE site close to home for us. It has terrific XC potential.

Dan

[Pete Schumann]

Great work Jim and Dan.

It is a great site for those times when when we have Easterly winds with no rain. It is however not the easiest for a HG as it's a long way out to an LZ. So it's get up or go land.

Thanks again guys. Let us know when we can start the launch clean up.

Pete

[Dan T]

Just before I started this initiative over a year ago, I stumbled into a bail out field an easy glide straight out from launch. I met the land owner who welcomed us to land there. Unfortunately it's going to be a tight fit for a high-intermediate or topless HG. However Tom once told me that he landed in it, so it can be done. The bailout LZ is plenty big enough for a PG.

There are powerlines near the crest of the hill at the launch site. In order for the site to be workable for a PG the historical slot will need to be widened at the top relative to its historical dimensions. This will enable the PG pilots to inflate their wings a bit downhill from the crest without risking interfering with the power lines and will increase the safety margin for all pilots. I mentioned this to the USFS representative when I first brought the subject up to them. They didn't have a conceptual issue with this but did ask that we minimize the removal of any large trees. We will need to make sure we have a clear understanding between both of us before we proceed.

When I last flew the site over a decade ago I managed to reach a large riverside LZ in a Mark IV with little more than buoyant air. It wasn't a flight I'd want to repeat but today's higher performing HGs should have much less difficulty reaching bigger LZs than the bailout if they don't dally after launch. Pete's advice to get up or go land is well founded even now.

On the upside the XC potential looks fantastic to me. Who will be the first to land in Cumberland?

[callen]

Anyone have GPS coords for this site & LZ so i can check in out on google earth?

Charlie

[hang_pilot]

Anyone have GPS coords for this site & LZ so i can check in out on google earth?
Charlie

Pretty sure this is the spot:

38°43'30.82"N
78°30'33.57"W

Happy google earthing,
Daniel

[callen]

Thanks