Ptarmigan Peak

• Wind directionE (90°) → NW (315°)
• Ideal speed2–10 mph
• Upper limits≤ 15 mph base · gusts ≤ 18

No club/USHPA guide gives explicit wind numbers for this site. Coordinates (39.16, -106.18, 13,714 ft) place it on a high alpine Sawatch Range 13er near Independence Pass / Aspen, NOT the Summit County Ptarmigan Peak Wilderness. RMHPA explicitly lists "Ptarmigan Peak" as NOT having good legal access — treat access as uncertain/restricted; coordinate with local pilots (RMHPA / Aspen Paragliding). This is an advanced, high-altitude, hike/snowmobile-access alpine launch with NO retrieve infrastructure; expert/P4-class terrain. Orientation hint (NE,E,SE,SW,W,NW — all but N/S) reflects a near-summit launch where you choose a face into the prevailing wind; ideal arc is broad E-through-NW. HAZARDS: thin air at 13.7k ft means very high true airspeed, longer launch runs, and reduced glider performance/margin; afternoon overdevelopment and strong thermals/cycles; lee-side rotor and venturi acceleration over the ridge if upper winds pick up; rapidly building cumulus and possible thunderstorms. BEST TIME: morning to early afternoon launch before thermals/wind overdevelop; light wind essential at this altitude (strong synoptic flow is dangerous). Speeds and arc below are INFERRED from orientation + general high-alpine knowledge, not a documented site guide.