Nuthouse Fri

[Chris G]

We're looking at a 28º spread for Friday. I usually consider 30º "thermal nuclear" so it should be a stellar day if we don't get inverted or blown out. Keeping an eye on the Blips and balloon data. If it looks good at 8AM I'll post a meet time.

[dteal]

Chris,
Where do you get the "28 degree spread" info?
DT

[Chris G]

Surface forecast for Ojai and the 24 hour winds aloft forecast for 6k. Surface-6k Temp=Spread. The only reason that works is because it has a history and Ojai runs on it's own scale.

[andy]

Hey Chris I was interested in your statement about the Ojai spread being somehow different than normal lapse rates, and it has a history. Can you share that history, and maybe explain how Ojai is different.

Missing you guys down here in Mexico, been good flying except today, it is raining.

Thanks Chris, Andy

[Chris G]

Hey Andy!
It's just a matter of the scale we use. Some folks use the Thermal Index to calculate a day's potential. Some use the actual lapse rate. In Ojai we've used the temp spread to figure the potential since long before I started flying. I think Truax is probably the one to figure it out. His general rule of thumb was that 21º is a good day. Less than that isn't worth the drive. If we were to calculate it according to the Thermal Index, the 21º equivalent would be -2.4 and the actual lapse rate would be 4.0 which is .4º above the SALR. To be fair, we've flown Ojai in as low as a 17º spread and it's been doable. Not epic, but we could maintain indefinitely. 25º spread is usually pretty exciting, and 30ºs is "entertaining". I've also done thermal clinics in a 30º spread and it's been exceptionally nice so the spread doesn't necessarily have a bearing on the turbulence level.

The inversion levels can make a big difference in the quality and altitudes but that's a topic for another day.

I should note that every place is different. Areas with high humidity or extremely dry air, or an infinitely vast number of other variables will change what makes the day doable. The scale that works in Ojai doesn't apply to SB, or to Marshall, or anywhere else for that matter.

[andy]

Thanks Chris, good info....Andy

[Chris G]

I decided to bag it today because it looked too similar to wednesday and we currently have some pretty strong East winds in Ojai. However, Andy D and crew headed up anyway. They're currently specked out over the Pyramid, Eastbound. DOH!

[Marty DeVietti]

Art, Andy, Deitrick (Sp?), and I huffed up the hot trail in what seemed like a iffy day at best after Chris had tried it just a day or so before with no joy to speak of with a similar forecast on paper. I launched as early as I dared, knowing I could be the one to retrieve the car at the bottom by risking it, but the lift was there, small, bubbly at first then continuous to 3000' msl (1000' over). Feeling good about that I watched and waited for the three left on launch to get in on the action. Meanwhile I was still climbing and drifting right up the spine from launch, climbing through 4000, and as I drifted in the lift to the East I knew it should get better with an East wind forecast, so I took a tour of Nordoff Peak and climbed through 5000, then 6000, and at my highest, topped out at just above 7000....some 4400' over launch....refreshingly cool in shorts after leaving an 80+ degree launch it was in the 50s according to my watch thermometer.

Art pushed around the pyramid in "parked" condidtions with the East wind down at ridge hight and below...it wasn't until he punched out front that he took the elevator to the cooler, smoother (and seemingly wind-free zone) near Nordoff peak. I saw Andy a bit deeper on the ridge working hard to find the escape route, and had noticed "Deet trick" (easier for me to spell and the deet keeps the biting bugs at bay on launch) had launched and started the battle that would ultimately put him down at the bottom, but a good fight for a first flight at the NutHouse. Andy was SUPER low after his launch and pulled it out somehow, so I hoped it would work for the last guy off, but not this time. I quit while I was ahead and headed out, tempted once to come back to the lift and play with Art and Andy as they each skied out...but we all knew better and cruised the NHS to rest our now tired faces from all that smiling up there...Andy pulled ears to expedite through the lift that was everywhere as he circled over the school.

Sorry Chris, you were the sacrifice to the gods today, we owe you one!

Blue skies,

Marty

[andy dainsberg]

gotta love ojai. i was at least 1/2 way to the floor 20 seconds after launching and took a 40%er before scratching back (gracias nuthouse). soon i was in the strongest and smoothest lift of the season~ cruising over 6200 along the house ridge. the high ride was beautiful today. at 3k near the hs i came into the approaching NE wave and just let it take me up. very fun and unusual too. standing on the nuthouse launch seeing marty almost a mile overhead has to be a season best as well.

[Cormac]

Nice work Marty! Please include me next time yall head up there b/c I need to redeem my last episode there...