mustang/box on Friday

azwyatt · Post by **azwyatt** » Thu Mar 04, 2010 6:18 am

I'm contemplating either Mustang or Box on Friday. Thermic activity is looking pretty sweet, and there's a window from 11 to around 3 where the wind is pretty much blowing straight in at Mustang. Can Box take a more southern wind than Mustang to launch?

John Wolfe · Post by **John Wolfe** » Thu Mar 04, 2010 7:40 am

Yes, Box can take a more southerly wind than Mustang. However, the southwest launch on the first knoll of Box can be very dangerous when the wind shifts toward the west, as it nearly always does as the day wears on. The westerly wind tends to generate nasty mechanical turbulence that can be devastating if encountered shortly after launch.

I suspect this turbulence was a major factor in Gunter’s accident. Recently Guido found this same turbulence while soaring the southwest bowl, taking two collapses.

If you choose to launch from the southwest face of the lower knoll on Box, please take some time to analyze the terrain in the southwest bowl and visualize the airflow as the wind direction rotates from SW to NW. Then, construct your flight plan accordingly.

base812 · Post by **base812** » Thu Mar 04, 2010 10:17 am

If the wind window satys open for the whole day Jake and I may come out.

John Wolfe · Post by **John Wolfe** » Thu Mar 04, 2010 10:36 am

If you decide to hike to the top, I recommend talking with Lew or Scott about the launches up there. I've only been on the ground up there once, and as I remember the launch on the north side is steep and rocky, while the south side is a bit shallow with some obstacles.

azwyatt · Post by **azwyatt** » Thu Mar 04, 2010 11:33 am

I think I'll stick to Mustang. Wind is supposed to switch S-W-S in the morning, noon and evening respectively, so I'll get more soaring time at Mustang. Jake and Mike, you aren't going to have a launchable window all day, and the window might be a little turbulent for your tastes, so it's your call. I'd tell you to go to Box but there's not a lot of LZ for you at the S side that's free of ocotillos. And you should have someone there to show you the site. We need to find some more sites!

lewsmith · Post by **lewsmith** » Thu Mar 04, 2010 2:40 pm

If the wind prediction stays good, I plan to be at Mustang in the late afternoon.
Lew

azwyatt · Post by **azwyatt** » Thu Mar 04, 2010 2:52 pm

Look forward to seeing you again, Lew.

Jake, it appears the wind prediction has switched from S in the afternoon to SW, so you'll have all afternoon until dark (about a six or seven hour window) to launch safely. You could easily get two flights in.

Scott · Post by **Scott** » Thu Mar 04, 2010 3:01 pm

Looks like Saturday will be blown out, so I am going to try and get a flight in Friday afternoon. The forecast favors Box, but we'll see how it looks mid day Friday.

base871 · Post by **base871** » Thu Mar 04, 2010 3:02 pm

Ive been watching the weather today. It does look good after 12pm. However id rather see it look good all day long. Gotta make the most out of a 6 hour drive! Your right though, we need to find more places, preferrable several thousand feet higher! I am eyeing a 3000 foot launch up north, with a drive to launch and landing.

Guido · Post by **Guido** » Thu Mar 04, 2010 3:30 pm

I might go to Box Canyon tomorrow afternoon for a glassoff. According to wunderground wind turns to NW in the evening which is nice for Box.

Guido

base871 · Post by **base871** » Thu Mar 04, 2010 7:51 pm

Wyatt, I think im gonna have to scratch tomorrow. Have fun if you go and take pictures!

azwyatt · Post by **azwyatt** » Thu Mar 04, 2010 9:03 pm

Right on Jake, I'm glad at least you got some good flights in on Wed. Oh, I asked some guys at South Mtn about speedflying Mingus. Everyone said it's a definite no-go. The bailout LZ is just barely within glide of regular PG wings. They said if you didn't mind landing on a slope with a lot of bushes it would be doable. There are also some roads you could land on. BUT they said usually there's a lot of sink down low so it would make for a hairy landing on a speedwing. I think we're better off doing those cliffs you've been looking at.

I'll probably show up at Mustang around noon tomorrow.

<a href="/http://s115.photobucket.com/albums/n283 ... 8094-1.png" target="_blank"><img src="/http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n283 ... 8094-1.png" border="0" alt="Mustang 5 Mar 10"></a>

lewsmith · Post by **lewsmith** » Fri Mar 05, 2010 9:41 am

I will be at Mustang this afternoon.
Lew

Scott · Post by **Scott** » Fri Mar 05, 2010 10:01 am

I look confused. So does the wind.

I'm going for a mountain bike ride instead.

Whetstones in the HG on Saturday.

Guido · Post by **Guido** » Fri Mar 05, 2010 1:50 pm

O.k. will also go to Mustang. See you there around 4 p.m.
Guido

mustang/box on Friday

Mustang tomorrow