Mustang on Friday
Moderators:ioan, John Wolfe, aaroncromer, jlowery
I am planning to hike Mustang tomorrow, Friday, May 15. As usual, I'm hoping for a glassoff at 45 minutes before sunset. I will check the weather again in the morning. Anyone else interested?
Lew
Lew
I'm game. Will check weather and post more later.
8:30pm. Current soundings predict lighter winds at TUS than FHU. I would guess Mustangs to have a pretty good likelihood of being blown out. Box 1st knoll is probably a better shot. then again- J-Lo noted that the Whetstones were pretty light last weekend when the conditions were similarly predicted.
I figure leaving work around 3ish.
Edit: 9:30am:
Thoughts on today? I'm confused about the weather forecasts
8:30pm. Current soundings predict lighter winds at TUS than FHU. I would guess Mustangs to have a pretty good likelihood of being blown out. Box 1st knoll is probably a better shot. then again- J-Lo noted that the Whetstones were pretty light last weekend when the conditions were similarly predicted.
I figure leaving work around 3ish.
Edit: 9:30am:
Thoughts on today? I'm confused about the weather forecasts
Last edited by morey on Fri May 15, 2009 9:30 am, edited 2 times in total.
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- Posts:996
- Joined:Fri Aug 12, 2005 6:08 pm
- Location:Oro Valley (NW Tucson)
Looks more like a Box day, as best as I can tell.
Now who's still game?
edit
Nice offer John. forecasts are not converging. could be light an irritable, could be a perfect mustang glassoff. still can't tell. talking to Fred on phone. will update shortly.
Now who's still game?
edit
Nice offer John. forecasts are not converging. could be light an irritable, could be a perfect mustang glassoff. still can't tell. talking to Fred on phone. will update shortly.
Last edited by morey on Fri May 15, 2009 12:26 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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- Posts:996
- Joined:Fri Aug 12, 2005 6:08 pm
- Location:Oro Valley (NW Tucson)
I would like to see the top launch at box, but I have no interest in hiking from the bottom to the top, carrying a wing, today. So, if the call is Box, I'm willing to drive you all to the HG launch, assuming the road is still acessible to us. I want to see the top launch and experience the hike from the HG launch.
If you're willing to drop a vehicle in the front LZ and take a chance on retrieving mine from the HG launch if I decide to fly, then so much the better, but I'll go and drive in any case.
If you're willing to drop a vehicle in the front LZ and take a chance on retrieving mine from the HG launch if I decide to fly, then so much the better, but I'll go and drive in any case.
Flight Report
The forecast was contradictory with everything from light and variable to strong northwest. However, on the basis of light southwest surface winds we decided to give Mustang a try. Lew headed out early and got to launch about the time John Wolfe, Morey and I arrived in the LZ at 4PM. The winds were variable on the hike up, but by the time we got to launch about an hour later we found Lew set up in a strong west cycle with gusts to about 20. We suggested waiting awhile, and we sat back and watched the conditions. When they seemed to be mellowing about a half hour later I volunteered to wind dummy. I got airborne about 5:45 and found myself going up with no forward speed. Some speed bar took me away from the hill, all the while climbing to about 1000' over. By that time I was able to get off the speed bar, but with minimal forward penetration. Morey launched a little after I did, and with a lightning fast wing that flies a blistering 1-2 mph faster than mine he was able to penetrate at about 1-2 mph without the speed bar. After about 15-20 minutes conditions mellowed and we were both able to make turns and penetrate better if not with eye watering speed. Lew got airborne next, and after some initial equipment problems that diverted his attention from flying the glider, got out front to a position where the rest of us breathed a collective sigh of relief. John was the last to set up, and after a couple of aborted launches and some twisted risers had a safe launch and an uneventful flight to join the rest of us who were already in the LZ. So Mustang delivered a nice if strong glass off for what could be one of our last Mustang days until next fall. Congratulations to John for his first Arizona flight after a three year hiatus.
Photos added to my personal gallery
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album_page.php?pic_id=737