Bingen

• Wind directionS (180°) → W (270°)
• Ideal speed7–15 mph
• Upper limits≤ 18 mph base · gusts ≤ 22

Bingen ("West Launch") sits on the north side of the Columbia River Gorge near White Salmon, WA (~2254 ft), facing broadly S-W toward the river. It works as a thermal/soaring site, with the launch favoring the river-facing/up-gorge directions (S through W). Per the orientation hint it works in every octant EXCEPT North; the SW-through-W up-gorge flow is the prime soarable band, with SE/S/NW/NE/E usable but more cross/marginal. Strongly avoid northerly (N) winds, which are tailwind/leeside and produce rotor over the launch. KEY HAZARD: the Columbia River Gorge venturi accelerates west winds dramatically and can build through the day, leading to overdevelopment, blow-back, and strong rotor behind terrain — keep base speeds conservative (~15 mph, abort by high-teens). Best time is mid-afternoon (~14:00–15:30) for thermal cycles; best months are spring (Mar–Apr), June, and Nov. XC activity is modest (~3 XC days/yr in flight databases) versus the nearby, much busier Cliffside. Numbers inferred from orientation hint + general Gorge knowledge; no explicit club site-guide with hard wind numbers was located, so verify with the Cascade Paragliding Club and local pilots, and check the local site rating/access before flying.