Light WNW Sun09Feb ?

[markc]

So..... We've got a forecast of light snow showers both Sat and Sun. At the moment, the NWS hourly is calling WNW@6 on Sunday, 50-ish chance of snow, and highs (surface) of 30.

If things stay relatively cold and/or dry, anyone thinking of giving it a try, presumably at the Pulpit?

Cold? Definitely. But it might be one of those days when you can fly in the snow, without icing/wing concerns (temps permitting) (which should be colder at launch than the surface forecast).

Or am I just getting desperate at this point? *smile*

MarkC

[Matthew]

I have a prior commitment on Sunday. But if I didn't and there was a decent dump of snow on Saturday, I'd go flying and sledding st Smithsburg.

Matthew

[bustedwing2]

If you can get launched and fly landing might be very difficult,without skis or skates.We had 2 inches of sleet on top of 5 inches of snow and overnight temps in teens and low 20s,all uncleared ground is like a skating rink,any slope at all and off you go. RichB

[Ward Odenwald]

Thanks Rich. Local info about ground conditions is huge! My guess is that the launch and setup area are also skating rinks.

In desperate need of real airtime, Ward

[markc]

Thanks for the on-site report Rich, much appreciated!

Yeah, I know, like I said, gettin' kinda desperate, sigh.

I've flown the Pulpit on a few occasions that required multiple hours of shovelling/chipping/clearing/salting. And with some decent flights to reward all the hard work!

But I've also been up there when launch has been an absolute nightmare skating rink, no way to fly (let alone set-up). If you had a couple of inches of sleet in town, that isn't exactly encouraging.

Have you swung by launch, by any chance? Hint, hint!!! Hot chocolate on me! *smile*

MarkC

[bustedwing2]

Bad News Mark,swung by the Pulpit about an hour ago.The bar parking lot is partially plowed,the plow piles about 2 1/2 feet high are blocking the dirt road to the Pulpit.The dirt road is not plowed,apparently the resident from back there has gone south for the winter(my guess).The snow piles and everything else is frozen solid,hard as a rock,a 4 wd would be useless,hung up and stuck most likely.Walking from the bar on the road or the path would work if you have crampons,carrying a glider would be an exercise in body damage.The slot between the ramps is like my yard,a sloped skating rink,launching would not be possible.The steps on the big ramp visible from the bar lot are also iced and frozen,I'm assuming the ramp is too(not visible to me).Temps have been pretty cold here and nothing is thawing or melting.A 3/4 ton 4wd with a heavy duty plow might get you to the setup area,chipping steps up the hill and doing the same to the ramps would be all day labor intensive.Hope the thaw comes soon. RichB

[markc]

Well, all moot now, as the forecast has gone to heck....

Thanks for swinging by the Mtn House and letting us know what's up Rich!

I'm remembering a day when the drifts were about 4' high, everyone had to haul their wings in. We dug a "T"-shaped path into the drifts on the launch pad between the ramps, and had to chip away at the ice at the very top, so that we could walk the gliders in. Ahhh... Such good times, LOL!

But it doesn't sound like tomorrow will be a repeat, sigh.

MarkC