| Name |
Mount Washington |
| Location |
Mount
Washington, New Hampshire |
| General Description |
 The
highest peak in New England and known worldwide for its outrageous
weather. The views from the top of the mountain are
spectacular. The mountain is flyable only a few days of the year,
but those days can be spectacular. |
| Requirements |
H4 or P4 only. Pilot is a Vermont Hang Gliding
Association Member. |
|
Launching |
| Launches |
 A
short, flat-slope launch below the auto-road parking lot and road on the
east side of the mountain. |
| Wind |
Calm to moderate east to southeast wind. |
| Restrictions |
Pilot must be a Vermont Hang Gliding Association Member.
 All
pilots must pass through the toll-road gate at the bottom before 11:00am
from the July 4th holiday weekend through the Labor Day holiday
weekend. Pilots must do everything within their power to keep the
auto road open. This means keeping a low profile and at times even
encouraging spectators and motorists to keep moving along the road.
No flying is allowed on 6/17/2204, 6/19/2004, 7/9/2004 - 7/11/2004,
and 8/21/2004.
Respect the rare and fragile ecosystem that calls this hellish
environment home. There is a "no-fly zone" above the
Great Gulf wilderness area. This is a 5,500 acre ravine north of
Ball and Nelson crags and east of Mount Clay and Jefferson. It can
be seen to the right (north) of the auto road as you are headed up above
the timberline. Map. |
| Driving Directions |
Drive to the base
of the Mount
Washington Auto Road. Carpool with as many pilots as possible
and arrange for someone to drive the vehicle back down. (There is
limited parking at the top of the mountain and we should avoid taking up
parking spots). Enjoy the ride up!
|
| Hazards |
 The
launch area is constantly eroding. Expect to run across washed-out
areas. |
|
Flying |
| Type of Flying |
Mostly thermal soaring, although some light easterly days
are ridge soarable. |
| Restrictions |
|
| Hazards |
The weather on Mount Washington is extreme,
expect the unexpected.
Make sure you are not flying in a rotor. Check out the smoke
from the Cog
Railway engine for a true sign of the prominent wind direction.
Watch for increasing or unexpected wind. Remember, the weather
on Mount Washington is extreme.
|
| Cross Crountry Records |
Randy Adams flew 12 miles in 2 hours on an Wills Wing
HP-AT to a car dealership along the side of the road in Berlin New
Hampshire. |
|
Landing |
| Landing Zones (LZs) |
The designated LZ is the small mowed field directly south
of the Mount Washington Auto Road entrance. |
| Driving Directions |
The LZ is just south of the entrace to the Mount
Washington Auto Road. There is free parking at the base. |
| Restrictions |
Don't do anything stupid, there is usually a crowd
watching! |
| Hazards |
 The
LZ has an interesting contour, with a small ridge running north/south
down the center. Avoid flying too close to the people and vehicles
waiting to start their trip to the top.
The biggest hazard is probably people that occasionally use the field
as a picnic spot.
There are many flags and banners at the entrance that provide many
clues to the wind direction in the LZ.
|
