Howard

• Wind directionNNW (340°) → NNE (20°)
• Ideal speed3–12 mph
• Upper limits≤ 15 mph base · gusts ≤ 18

Mt. Howard, Wallowa Mountains, NE Oregon (above Wallowa Lake, ~5 mi S of Joseph). Managed by the Eagle Cap Paragliding Club (ECPC). North-facing launch at ~7,900-7,950 ft MSL with 3,400-3,700 ft vertical to the Wallowa Lake LZ. Direction is well-documented: club explicitly states wind must be N, NW, or NE to fly; ideal is straight-in N (~340-020), with NW and NE workable as cross/edge. CRITICAL HAZARD: prevailing winds aloft are SW/W, directly contrary to the launchable directions, so this is frequently a lee-side launch over the back — the primary reason for the high rating requirement. Treat as a technical, light-wind/thermic morning-and-evening high-altitude site; avoid any S-through-W component. Access: current USHPA P3 + TUR (or H4) required, plus current ECPC membership (dues paid before tram access). High launch elevation (~7,900 ft) means true ground speed is higher than indicated airspeed for a given wind reading. Best season mid-August through September (main LZ floods June-early Aug). Speed/gust numbers are INFERRED from general high-altitude advanced-site practice (no published club figures found); direction/access are high-confidence, speeds are not.