I've never been to the Whetstones. If you get a group together I would be willing to drive for you guys.

If the SIV falls through, I might be interested in going to the Whetstones.


What is the GPS coordanates for the launch? I am suspecting the OZ Report is incorrect.

If you have a coupe of tracklogs that would be helpful.

Thanks for any info you can provide.


Andy

e-mail
arellima@gmail

Andy,

You'll find the GPS and other info on the members site guid. Go to http://www.sahga.com and click on the Members Only link, then click on the Members Site Guide link. If you don't have the logon for the members-only section of the web site, PM or email me for the information.

Pav Dygas flew the Whetstones once on his PG, I don't know any other PG pilot that has. The launch is a rocky slope and has some catclaw, so it can be challenging and definitely requires caution to avoid ripping your canopy.

The current ADDS winds-aloft prediction for Saturday at 5 PM has it 20-30 kts at 6000'. 25 kts is marginally ok for double-surface hang gliders, we can fly that fast, but probably blown out for PGs even at lower altitudes.

The 50% chance of rain tomorrow could be a problem. I guess we'll know by 9-10 AM if we're going out. I'll post here what we're doing either way.

John

Eric and I will be meeting up to go to the Whetstones about 10 AM.

The current ADDS forecast has the surface winds SW at 15-20 kts at 11 AM, 20 kts at 1 PM, back to 10-15 kts at 5 PM. 6000' winds aloft are predicted 20-30 kts at 11 AM, peaking at maybe 30 kts at 3 PM, and back to 20 kts at 5 PM.

The forecast has the chances of rain at 60% and mostly cloudy in the afternoon. We might get wet.

Sounds like a perfect Whetstones day Anyone else want to go?

John

Blown out, rained out, we turned around before we got to Vail. Maybe tomorrow.

Aren't the whetstones HG only? I heard they're too hairy for PG. Did I hear wrong?

wyatt,
no, you didn't hear wrong. There's no rule against PG at the 'Stones, it's just not often suitable. As J-Lo mentioned, you'd need to be careful on launch, but there's enough room. The problem is generally winds that are too strong for PG and a flat slope. However, I've been there on days with wind 10-15 and thermals.

Basically, the Mustangs is a much more suitable site for PGing and is just a couple miles away.

I did not fly today to windy for me, but I did find the Whetstone Launch.

Thanks John & Morey for the information.

Looks launchable for me with good conditions. Rock might be an issue.



This is a link to my photos for the day.


http://s263.photobucket.com/albums/ii13 ... =slideshow

Andy
<a href="/http://s263.photobucket.com/albums/ii13 ... 060401.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="/http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii13 ... 060401.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

Nice pictures of the 'Stones. Thanks, Andy

John

Wow, that's a terrific pic of the 'Stones launch. Makes me wanna' be there.

right after launch, fly out a few hundred yards then bear left. There's a steeper face that catches the thermals and rises to a point about 7000msl. It's the standard place to get up.

well, might as well re-post this video I shot a couple years ago there:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQm4J4TocJ4

Oh, damn. Youtube deleted my audio. There was great music, which included Wonderwall, and Cake's "going the distance" just as Eric was launching