Hatcher's Pass

• Wind directionS (170°) → W (280°)
• Ideal speed5–10 mph
• Upper limits≤ 13 mph base · gusts ≤ 15

Hatcher Pass is a multi-launch summer flying area (Arctic Air Walkers / Alaska club) with options for nearly any wind direction; this window reflects the principal/most-used SW-to-W facing launches. PRIMARY LAUNCH = MARMOT: SW-facing slope aligned with valley flow; ideal S-to-SW at 5-10 mph; per club site guide Marmot works best ~120-200 deg but is at its cleanest straight-in from the S/SW. Best when winds aloft are light; south winds up to ~10 mph are doable when convection is low. ROTOR HAZARD: winds with too much EAST or WEST create rotor along the Marmot face; it can also be straight-in at launch but north at the peak, producing rotor in the air directly above launch. LAKE HILL / SUMMIT LAKE launch extends the usable arc to the WEST: works on ~270 deg (W) above ~5 mph; suitable for all skill levels; on-site weather station typically reads ~5 mph LOWER than actual conditions at the launch, so add a margin. ELDORADO (~135 SE) and Nixon's Nose (ESE or W) provide additional direction coverage. Primarily a THERMAL site, often boosted by strong valley flow. MAJOR HAZARD: over-development is very common in Hatcher Pass; cumulonimbus building above 30,000 ft are common, so watch the sky closely on launch and in the air. ACCESS: alpine, treeless terrain with clear launch/LZ; Hatcher Pass road is only open roughly July through late September, so this is a summer-only site. Best flown mid-day to early afternoon for thermals while monitoring for over-development.