[at-l] Re Sly's Question on Wind

[icw at esisnet.com (Clark Wright)]

Well, among my many faults is a strage hurricane chasing desire that 
often overcomes me when one of those awesome storms comes near . . . (my 
Mom tells me that her mother used to love to watch storms at the beach, 
so I come by it naturally!)  Anyhow, I have been in the middle of 
several category 2 storms (Bertha in 1996 and Isabel just last year come 
to mind).  While out on the exposed shoreline near the North River smack 
dab in the middle of Isabel (the edge of her eye later passed over, and 
then we got the winds from the opposite quadrant for good measure) . . . 
anyhow, I have never heard wind make such sounds . . .  I am 
guesstimating that those winds were a steady 80-90 mph . . . as long as 
the winds stayed fairly steady, I could slowly lurch around on my feet 
for a short distance, but it was no fun . . . I could not look into that 
wind and driving rain . . . the rain felt like rock salt being fired 
from a shotgun . . .

there used to be some of my video footage of those winds, with sound, on 
one of the amateur hurricane websites, but I don't think it is around 
any more . . .  I wonder if there is someplace I could upload a bit of 
it to for the list's enjoyment! :)  any technical types who want to give 
suggestions on that, feel free to e-mail me off-list! :)

IMHO, it is much harder to walk (or keep a tent/tarp up!) in very 
variable, gusty winds - I remember crossing the hump mountains while 
hiking on the AT in 2001 - it was a VERY gusty, windy day - probably no 
more than about 45 mph, but since it was coming in unexpected gusts, it 
nearly knocked me down several times, and I had to stow my trusty hat to 
keep it from flying away.
I also recall a winter camping trip on top of Roan Mountain where our 
older A-frame tent collapsed in the middle of the night when a cold 
front came thru, the wind changed direction, and gusted up around 40 mph 
. . .  another great wind memory is that of the summit winds on Mt. 
Rainier - probably a gusty 40 mph or so - standing up for a summit pic 
was no problem! :)

Thru-Thinker
[Clark]