On Aug 24, 9:58 am, "
wrote:

I use any handy local vegetation (commonly called "a stick")

I have also use the stick method. One time there was a suitable
source, the stick stayed in place, and I did a perfect takeoff. The
only other time I tried it the wing dropped immediately and I had to
abort. Then a farm worker showed up and, even though we had no
language in common, I was able to show him how to be more reliable
than the stick.

It's often hard to find suitable sticks in Arizona, creosote bush is
about the only source in many places. I had thought of carrying
suitable lengths of dowel in the glider but decided the stick on tip
wheel would be better, at least for paved runways. So carry a tip
wheel for paved runways and dowels for unprepared surfaces?

Andy