Photo by Lief Casey

Badger: Located near Hartsell, CO. Launch is at approximately 10,000ft MSL and faces SSW. A wooden launch ramp is installed in a slot that was burned out by fire, so stumps and rocks are abundant. Tree lines along each side of the slot can cause turbulence in cross wind conditions. Thermal soaring site with strong, turbulent conditions midday. Some XC potential with limited LZ's. Frequent evening glassoffs.

Primary LZ is a large almost flat field at the base of the mountain.

Recommended Pilot Rating - Sponsored Hang 2 during morning and late evening. Hang 3 other times.

Times to Fly - Mornings are usually light winded, often suitable for sponsoring new pilots on their first high altitude flights. Some Colorado Springs instructors bring their experienced Hang 2's here. Midday finds strong thermal activity with frequent thunderstorms from May-August. Because of the surrounding mountains, wind speeds can change dramatically in short periods of time. Beware of storms and sudden gust fronts. Not commonly flown by paraglider pilots.