http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/image/1211/rainierclouds_thompson_3008.jpg

You will have to go look as not sure how to make this any smaller on the iPad and get it uploaded!!
Still a great photo, my friend Don sent me the link.
Looks like a good day to stay away from there.
GT

OUTSTANDING pic...

Should cross post it to this thread:

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=6403

Wow that is beautiful, but looks deadly.

No, no! Those would standing lenticular clouds and mark mountain wave. Glider pilots love them, and have climbed as high as 51,000 feet using the associated lift.

While it's true you often have to climb through turbulent rotor to get to the smooth laminar lift, once in the smooth stuff the air is as glass while you are climbing typically at 1,000 to 2,000 feet per minute with no sense of movement save the muffled hiss of the frigid air outside.

Winds near 18K will typically be 40 to 80 knots, so you can go nose into the wind and stay stationary over the ground or even move backwards - - though it is mildly disconcerting to have the moving map (track up) flip around backwards. Unless you have an ATC approved "wave window" open, you have to plan ahead when nearing 18K. You most likely can't just nose over to avoid busting Class A, as you'll reach VNE and still be going up!

Great fun. However, if you climb too fast you can get surface cracks in the glider finish, as the outer skin cools very rapidly causing it to shrink while the spar and inner structure are still relatively warm.

bumper

Glider time baby!!!!!!!!!! dress warm!

My Schleicher ASH26E (self-launch) glider over Minden in mountain wave.



As much as I love soaring, the Husky and back country flying is just a bit more fun (but it's close).

Can you get ATC approval in a glider to go higher than 18K?

58Skylane wrote:Can you get ATC approval in a glider to go higher than 18K?

Certain operations have LOA's with the local TRACONS or Centers for a "Wave Window". California City had one with Joshua Approach. The FBO (Caracole Soaring in my case) would call Joshua prior to an anticipated high altitude flight and get authorization into the window. I was told to contact approach prior to entering into class A airspace, They would approve "Higher as needed in about 2000'+ increments. I topped out at 25,400' and hung out for about 10 mins, -36*F doesn't take long to get cold feet.

Now Minden Nv does it a bit different, You talk to the people on the ground, they call Oakland Ctr they gave the guy at the FBO (Soar Minden) the clearance then Soar Minden would radio the approved clearance up. It was warmer there -17*F at 27,000'

There are a couple guys (Gordon Boettger Fed Ex pilot and Jim Payne Retired Edwards AFB commander) that regularly make long and high wave flights and they get special clearances they will fly mostly Owens Valley.

Glidergeek wrote:

58Skylane wrote:Can you get ATC approval in a glider to go higher than 18K?

Certain operations have LOA's with the local TRACONS or Centers for a "Wave Window". California City had one with Joshua Approach. The FBO (Caracole Soaring in my case) would call Joshua prior to an anticipated high altitude flight and get authorization into the window. I was told to contact approach prior to entering into class A airspace, They would approve "Higher as needed in about 2000'+ increments. I topped out at 25,400' and hung out for about 10 mins, -36*F doesn't take long to get cold feet.

Now Minden Nv does it a bit different, You talk to the people on the ground, they call Oakland Ctr they gave the guy at the FBO (Soar Minden) the clearance then Soar Minden would radio the approved clearance up. It was warmer there -17*F at 27,000'

There are a couple guys (Gordon Boettger Fed Ex pilot and Jim Payne Retired Edwards AFB commander) that regularly make long and high wave flights and they get special clearances they will fly mostly Owens Valley.

Interesting. Thanks Ggeek.

The best up elevator you will ever ride. We used to fly waves in Western Australia, a lot of fun, can make for wow I can't believe it moments.

OregonMaule wrote:

Your such a prick!!

58Skylane wrote:

OregonMaule wrote:

Your such a prick!!

That's Mr. Prick to you.

58Skylane wrote:Can you get ATC approval in a glider to go higher than 18K?

Sure. At Minden you radio "SoaringNV" on 123.3 and they'll call Oakland landline ("Soar Minden" ceased ops last year). Wave window is typically to 28,000 and they'll almost always open it for you. I've been to 28,800 and while it was fun and interesting, it's not something I'll be doing often - - need to protect the few active brain cells I've got left.

OregonMaule wrote:That's Mr. Prick to you.

I get that straight next time

bumper wrote:No, no! ....... as high as 51,000 feet using the associated lift.

....Great fun. However, if you climb too fast you can get surface cracks in the glider finish, as the outer skin cools very rapidly causing it to shrink while the spar and inner structure are still relatively warm.

bumper

First.. Great post... I learned alot....

On a recent flight to FLA in my buddies CJ-4 we were at FL450 and the OAT was right at ISA = -74*f.. Brrrrrrr.

How many pairs of Carharts do you guys wear when going up that high.

battery powered undies are the bees knees for this.