Umtanum Ridge

Five of us ventured to Baldy Butte. Looking kinda iffy when we got there but it slowly cleared a bit for some (2) thermals with the right timing. The wind was East/Northeast, a bad direction. It would blow over the back for a spell than it would come up the S. face. Nothing too promising. Kevin already hucked the South side and boated in some weak lift for a bit, but the rest of us waited. I decided it wasnt going to get any better after an hour and threw it off the North side in the shade and cross wind. Once away from the lee I managed to find some light lift and boated out over the valley for a while before pushing North, up river. I got to 40m over launch level over the lz but that was it. Mainly, after going on glide, I was low maybe 100ft off of the terrain my whole flight, just surfing the sunny ridges and rock bands all the way to the Umtanum fishing access. Kinda fun, but no real thermals and light east-ish winds. Meredyth waited longer on launch as she does (more patience) and managed to get the right timing of the SW wind and thermal to blow in. She boosted to 5500 ft in the "one" thermal of the day and went on glide to highway 97 where she landed. So, it was either a gentle and light surf fest low over the terrain or a one shot wonder day.

Others got good flights boating around in front of launch for awhile enjoying the scenery, John and Heather. It did end up being worth the effort after all. It will only get better now.
Road conditions are good. One snow drift left towards the top where it gets tight but easily passable. By the time someone goes up there next it will be melted out. Otherwise, just bring a shovel to clear out the rest of it. SM