Mt. Baldy at the Towers

• Wind directionW (280°) → NNW (340°)
• Ideal speed5–12 mph
• Upper limits≤ 15 mph base · gusts ≤ 17

Mt. Baldy "at the Towers" (Eagle River, AK) is a drive-up W/NW-facing thermal launch flown by the Arctic Air Walkers (USHPA chapter). Club site guide gives explicit ideal direction of W to NNW, roughly 290-340 deg with ~10 deg variance (modeled here as ideal 280-340, marginal cross/edge 250-350). Ideal speed: paragliders 0-12 mph gusting ~5; hang gliders 5-15 mph gusting ~5 (combined usable band ~5-12 ideal, ~15 mph max base, gusts to ~17). HAZARDS: do NOT launch in southerly winds - they cause rotor and poor penetration and pilots have repeatedly ended up in trees. Winds with a N/NNW component can carry turbulence/rotor off peaks to the NNE of launch. Beware the "Baldy Bubble": a localized lift bubble that can read flyable while the surrounding area is blown out, giving false security - when the bubble bursts, strong wind, severe sink and turbulence push through fast. Tight LZ (soccer fields by Harry McDonald Center) where pilots have hit trees; HG use the cleared parcel across the Glenn Highway. Primarily a thermal site, good days reach 7,000+ ft cloudbase; best mid-day to afternoon thermal cycles. ACCESS: requires Arctic Air Walkers site pass ($5 day / $40/yr).