Avoiding gliders

What you are referring to is wave lift or lee mountain wave. While it can
be found in various locations around the US it is not that common because it
generally takes 1) a mountain and 2) specific wind conditions. (Ridge lift
is also generated by a mountain or ridgle line and a perpindicular wind but
the best ridge lift is found at tree top heights. Very little conflict with
most power traffic most of the time.)

I've flown Minden. They have exceptional wave conditions - some of the best
in the US. When gliders go into Class A, they need a clearance (wave
window) so there is separation services for IFR traffic. Thermal conditions
in the Sierras frequently reach the 15 - 18 thousand foot levels and wave
conditions easily reach those heights and above. So while flying above the
lift will still work, it's not real practical for most light a/c. Clear
skies enable see and avoid and the advice to stay away from the bases of
large Cu still applies.

I don't have a lot of time in the Sierras but there is a bit of natural
separation that tends to take place. Below mountain top heights, the
gliders tend to fly up against and directly over the mountain peaks (best
lift). The power traffic tends towards the valleys and passes. Power
traffic is usually trying to avoid the 'turbulence' that gliders are seeking
out. Gotta look out for dyed in the wool glider guys in powered a/c who
can't stand to pass up all those energy sources..
"JerryK" wrote in message
...
Here in the western US, there are tons of gliders getting ridge lift in
the
late afternoons. They go darn high also. Someone told me up to FL300.

Last week we were saw a ton of them coming into Minden, NV.