Wave Camp Report October 15

Here's the RR writeup for today:

Yesterday ... while it did not have adequate clearing for high flights, did provide some spectacular cloudscapes while we flew around the valley locally. For the most part we had 7/8th cloud cover, with scattered snow showers. Mostly in the form of virga. Some hit the ground, but did not accumulate at all. This atmosphere provided luminous sunbeams back in an otherwise dark valley that never opened enough of a hole to venture into the primary. There were decent thermals under all this cloud, and all the west facing ridges were working well. The tops of the Carters were frosted in snow/ice from the day and night before, so it really gave that winter wonderland sparkle when hit by the daylight.

I was flying the Puchacz with my friend Terry Sweeney, and had a great time. Unfortunately I did not have a camera with me, as there were great opportunities for photos in this alternately grey and misty cloudscape. To see some gliders lit by the sun, against the background of virga and shadow was something I will never forget.

Today, we were hoping for a thermal day, but at the moment we are still stuck with excess moisture trapped by the Whites, perhaps it will clear later today.

The forecast outlook does not bode well for high flights. We will be in the influence of a strong coastal low that will put an end to soaring south of here, but we may remain in the “clear” up here, but the surface winds will turn to the east, while the upper level winds will be from the west. There is the slimmest possibility that if that transition is below ridge top, there could be some wave, but if it happens above the peaks, then our only hope for wave flying will be in east wind from the Carters…

At this point Sunday looks like it may be wet, but it is far too early to use that info to make your plans. Wish I had better news for the outlook, but at least if there is any chance of flight in New England, it will be up here…

In fact, the sky did open up late in the day and thermals appeared over the high ground. Andy Lawrence had the best flight of the day in 3J, reaching 5500 feet over Mt. Moriah. Tom, Paul, and Christopher had nice flights late in the day. Tony caught a chill and left for Florida.