On Sunday, November 9, 2014 3:30:43 PM UTC-8, Dan Marotta wrote:
I would like to clarify that, at
Moriarty, there is much less tendency for all the gliders to
follow the same routes since we don't have a stunningly good ridge
as at Nephi.

The Nephi (Mt Nebo) ridge is 17 miles long and doesn't affect XC flight selection. Pilots typically fly away from the SLC metro area to the north. I don't know if flying directly over Albuquerque is more popular than flying over the metro area around Salt lake City - the flight traces I've looked at indicate not so much. On most days most soaring sites have a directions that are preferred for a variety of reasons. Once you get more than a handful of gliders it becomes much more a function of lift indicators and the raw number of people flying. Because - math. Because - human behavior.

Dan has a point - if, like him, you are more interested if seeking the path less travelled (e.g. weaker conditions that are less attractive to the majority of pilots) on some days you can get away from the crowd by flying away from cu, away from cloud streets and away from convergence lines. But most pilots don't fly the way Dan does. If you are looking to make the most distance by flying where the conditions are strongest, intend to fly with buddies or with fly with an XC mentor - get a Flarm because you will have company. If you fly where other pilots are without a Flarm expect some disapproval. If you persist and something happens, it is possible that you or your estate may be vulnerable to legal action for negligence.

9B