To say that this year's Patriots Day weekend in Allemans, PA was "weathery" would be a bit of an understatement.
There is nowhere to hide from mother nature at the beautiful 1000yd Reade Range which sits on a plateau 800 feet above the surrounding valleys. Howling wind and almost 3" of rain on Saturday meant, if it wasn't nailed down it was gone, if it was made of paper it was pulp.
The EZup shelter lasted all of 10 minutes before it was crushed like a bride left standing at the altar.
The length of the firing line and pits turned into a standing lake, Providence kept our small corner of the line above the water line.
We jammed all of our instruction into an extended class in the one place that offered a slight respite, a garage with a tin roof. I say slight because it didn't have lights so we had to keep the door open to see. It was kind of like a voyage on the Maid of the Mist. The tin roof and heavy rain meant that earpro should have been required. Loud, loud, loud...
Around 3pm there was enough of a break to get some shooting done. Three of seven made it to the end of the day Saturday.
Sunday saw little rain, but even stronger wind and colder temps (still around 35˚ at 11am). Two brave souls made it the entire day with Scott C even managing to earn a patch. Well done!
We blasted targets at KD with Mosins and Garands and though uncomfortable managed to have a fine, albeit very small, shoot.
- Chainsaw
PS Anyone know if you can estimate wind speed based on whether or not it will flip a portapotty? ...yuck, what a mess...
Quote from: Chainsaw on April 19, 2011, 11:05:39 AM
PS Anyone know if you can estimate wind speed based on whether or not it will flip a portapotty? ...yuck, what a mess...
Unoccupied at the time I hope
Allemans has not been kind to EZ ups. One from the first shoot there was never found and may still be flying around in PA airspace.
60 mph will flip a porta john. They will make it to 70 mph if occupied.
Congrats to Scott and you for sticking it out.
B9 - you are a veritable font of information ++)
It was a good shoot - and it only is 'bad' if PEOPLE get carried off by the wind... or the Thunderbird.... we all survived and we all Learned... and I was able to get a patch thanks to Chainsaw and 'Lee's patience and instruction. Eric W. (the Grouse-master) and I are looking forward to our next Appleseed. ;D
What? I thought the weather Sunday was FINE (thanks for the loan of the vest, Scott)!
Isn't it NORMAL to have to pile rocks on (or drive spikes through) everything you don't want to lose?
(http://i820.photobucket.com/albums/zz130/EZ3_bucket/DSCN0835.jpg)
A day like that gives a whole new meaning to "adjusting for windage".
(http://i820.photobucket.com/albums/zz130/EZ3_bucket/DSCN0839.jpg)
And that was the GOOD weather day of the weekend!