Any gains made was lost with high winds.

A friend some weeks ago was at a shooting range. A shell
ejected from a pistol started a fire. Now that is dry. The
grass in that area is much thicker...But

John (3 Dogs) is camping at the North Site and with years
of rocketry experience, I am sure will make a most valuable
report that the decision makers will use to make a decision.

All up and down I85 is dry dry dry.

The weather forcast looks pretty good for the next ten days.
Dry and cool.

I think it is more inviting to launch at the Atlas Site, after a
couple snow stormes.

With that said. If there is a lunch I will be there... I have an L1395
to pick-up.

Is John(3Dogs) part Pawnee? Sounds like a good name. And very trust worthy and reliable. Does he camp in teepe or paleface tent or hogon on wheels? Maybe he will send smoke signals as to conditions at North site. 😕

Well, I'm not too happy to report that it is exceedingly dry at the N. site... Yikes. I had a little shovel with me and I dug down 3" or so. No moisture whatsoever. This, combined with a bit of fuel, is not a good thing.

It was substantially drier than I expected -- I thought maybe the rains would have stuck some moisture in the ground. The conditions are pretty dire out there.........................

3dogs, Not good message in your smoke about the "dire " conditions at North Site on the Pawnee. Maybe we might reconsider ( Olde Hole in Ground) Atlas site for November launch of smoke'n fire sticks?????
Maybe Chief Jeffery Joe might find out if that kosher with "Ranger Rick".
I just hate the little cactus at Hole in Ground, but I will persever, to burn AP there if I must.

3dogs, Not good message in your smoke.....

Yep, you'd be correct. However, after last November's "smoke signal" mayhaps we step back (bad pun, but I couldn't resist).

With Regard to the Atlas site - I think that is actually less workable for two reasons. First, the grass is typically a bit taller out there. Second, we have fences that we can't drive through if we need to fight a fire away from the pad. DISCLAIMER - we figured that out when I started the previous biggest fire in March of 2001.

Now I'm glad I went to BALLS! I flew exactly ONE flight in Colorado in 2010... yikes.

Sounds like both sites out of picture for any launches until snow is on the ground.
Got message from Jeffery Joe 😯 there is a meeting on Nov 14 in Littleton at one of the libraries.
Is that one we should all attend? Or is it for President,Prefects and officers ❓

Yeah, the forecast is leaving us high and dry for the rest of the week, with the skies Wednesday through Saturday predicted to be clear, clear, clear and clear.

Yeah, the forecast is leaving us high and dry for the rest of the week, with the skies Wednesday through Saturday predicted to be clear, clear, clear and clear.

Astronomy, anyone?

🙂

Can we get an official Go or No Go for Launch?

Really sounds like its not going to happen but I'm keeping my fingers crossed (since the rain dance didn't work)!

-Sean

Well, I spent most of today in Pierce, helping a friend clear weeds from their ditches and unfortunately, we were not able to "burn" them out because it has been too dry (and windy) to play with fire, even in a controlled manner. That said, I'm really afraid to proceed with our scheduled launch as the weather forecasts for the remainder of the week is for more wind and warmer temps and not a drop of percipitation. I suspect we are still in a continued drought and are looking at a long, dry winter. As conditions really haven't changed for the better - we are flirting with a potential disaster - as it was last November - NOT launching is probably the right course of action. With regrets but with confidence the right decision is to cancel our scheduled launch.

I'll get a mass email posted out this evening and/or tomorrow morning. The USFS has approved this message.

BTW - if interested, the meeting on the 14th is for Tripoli Colorado members, Prefecture 11. NCR is Perfecture 72.

Joe, as difficult a decision as this was, you made the right one. Last year was a projection of the worst that could happen. None of us is willing to REALLY take on the responsibly of what the worst really could be. Good call. Art, you're right. Build, build!

Factoid: the two worst fires we ever had were in March (started by me 😳 ) and in November of last year. These are not what one would think to be the most fire-prone months. Unfortunately, the situation is wretched right now.

I'd LOVE to vend... I have lots of inventory. The greater concern is for the site. It is so very dry... Yikes!

Thanks Joe,
I know that's not easy to make a decision to cancel but I think it's the right one in this case. Last thing we want to do with the club is jeopardize our great launch sites! Thanks for all the work you do for the club behind the scenes! -Sean

Common sense prevails on cancelling November launch. 2011 will be even better. Snow dance starts early every morning now. Lots of moisture needs to fall. Build Build 😀