Day 2 Chelan Nats

So Sunday looked like another great day to fly. Looking at the wind forecast, conditions looked favorable for a decent task. However, there were some reports that winds were going to pick up, but the wx service forecast said light winds to 12,000. Launch conditions were different today as winds were blowing from the south. It seemed there was a strong inversion at launch height, with no pilots getting above launch by noon, and smoke from a fire filling in the valleys below.

So, when the window opened a couple of comp pilots launched, but were not geeting any lift. The winds were increasing and it looked pretty stable for soaring. Eventually the inversion got higher, but that increased the wind and pilots were launching in 15 to 25 mph cycles. As pilots were trying to climb out, they got pushed back behind the butte, and would only top out about 1,000 to 1,500 over which makes it difficult to make the flats. Gliders were parked and some going backwards occasionally in the strong winds. I decided to hold off launching with strong winds coming through, and little glider penetration with the pilots in the air. Twice they closed the launch window because of many gliders in front of launch not climbing out. At 1:50 pm they decided to close the launch all together because getting off the ground became too dangerous. So there were several of us conservative pilots that chose not to fly. The meet director asked pilots in the air that were on the safety committee how the conditons were, and the concurred that conditions were a 2 out of a possible 3. 3 would have shut the task down. So, 2 or 3 pilots made goal. most landed in the regular LZ, we had a pilot air lifted by helicopter to Spokane after crashing in Leahy one of the turn points. So, true to strong Chelan condtions.

In two days we have had two crashes, and a reserve deployment. Today, Monday, we are completely shut down due to a cold front and winds 40 to 50 mph. Tomorrow looks breezy, but we should have a great lapse rate after the front goes through. Stay tuned for more excitment from Chelan.