Moderate Hike with Possible Extended Flight (North side Blacksmith Fork Canyon)

[Jeff Salisbury]

Hi Everyone, The Short Divide mesonet is down, but we're guessing that
Short Divide is blown out today based on the strong winds yesterday and
the approaching storm front.

Todd and I are planning to hike and fly the North side of Blacksmith
Fork Canyon this afternoon. Tentatively, we're planning on meeting in
Logan and 1pm -- we'll check the winds and 12 noon and decide.

This Blacksmith Fork site was a favorite of Todd's friend (Phil?) who
flew in Cache Valley in the late 90's whenever there were winds from the
W to SW. Phil reported that he often was able to bench up and fly from
Hyrum back into Logan. On a few occasions, Phil reported he benched up
and flew all the way to Bear Lake.

Anyways, the hike is not too bad (an hour long and not too steep).

Give a shout out if you want to join us!

Jeff

[Dustin Hawkes]

I've flown from this site several times.  There is plenty of great take off room.  I have not flown in winds from the S or SW from this site, but I do agree that it should be awesome.  I did fly with John from Pionero, or the south side of blacksmith fork canyon once in SW winds and landed in Milville.  It was a beautiful flight with great soaring time.

I'd be happy to come along today.  Keep me updated on when and where to meet.  Thanks.

--
Dustin Hawkes

[Todd Sherman]

Logan airport is currently reporting SW winds at 15 with 22 mph gusts.  Yikes!
The airport link on Wundermap only updates once an hour for some reason.  Call 752-6941 for up to date readings from the airport.

--
Todd Sherman, PWS
Wetland Resources
182 East 300 North
Logan, Utah 84321
435.753.4517
www.wetlandresources.net

[Jeff Salisbury]

Logan Peak has winds almost directly from the West at 18mph as of 11:41am.

[Dustin Hawkes]

For whatever reason, the airport almost always has stronger winds than what you find near the mountains at the base.  If Mt. Logan is 18mph then I'm confident that we will get some good flying in unless it really picks up for some reason.

--
Dustin Hawkes

[Jeff Salisbury]

Hi Everybody, We're going to meet at 1:30pm at the Logan Tabernacle.  Then, we can car-pool out to Hyrum / Blacksmith Fork Canyon.

Jeff

[Dustin Hawkes]

Thanks Jeff.  See you then.

--
Dustin Hawkes

[Dustin Hawkes]

Todd,
Send me your gps track from today so I can compare mine to yours.  Here is mine if you want to do the same.  Thanks

--
Dustin Hawkes

[Todd Sherman]

We all had nice flights today from the north side of Blacksmith Fork Canyon.  Winds at launch were 10-13 from the SW.  Everyone gained over 500 feet right off of launch.  After 10-15 minutes, I got up to about 1,100' over launch and decided to head north.  I slid back to the next bowl to the north and got about 1,800' over launch then turned north, trying to work some lift on the SW facing slopes as I went.  Ended up landing in the field just east of the River Heights elementary school.
Dustin, I've attached my GPS track.  I compared it to yours, and the big difference seems to be the move back to the next bowl to the north and then staying more over the mountains.

Todd

[Dustin Hawkes]

I agree Todd.   I can see that I didn't make the move eastward like I needed to.  I am still a bit edgy from my reserve throw last year and have a hard time being close to the ground even in moderate to light turbulence.  I'll have to work on that next time I head out there.  Thanks for the great fun and flight.

--
Dustin Hawkes