Description
Sheep Mountain is located just above Sheep Mountain Lodge along the Gleen Highway two hours west of Anchorage. The trail to a nice launch area is a one to two hour, 1.5 mile, 1,800ft hike along a trail that's fairly steep. There's a nice bench at launch to cool off after the climb. Sheep mountain is a convenient place to launch because the south-east facing slopes get good early thermals and there's a nice airstrip at the base to land at if you sink out. Most pilots that launch here do so with the intention of going cross country.
Landing Zones
Sheep Mountain Airport
61.811796, -147.505682
This remote airstrip is the primary landing zone for pilots that sink out after launching from Sheep Mountain.
Requirements
- This site is not managed by AAW nor is it insured by USHPA.
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Pilots are expected to evaluate the launch, the possible landing areas, the weather, and other conditions. Flights are at the Pilot's own risk.
P3 is the recommended pilot level, and it may not be suitable for P2 pilots. This site is not managed by the Arctic Air Walkers and pilots are expected to have strong launching skills and good judgment. Pilots should have P3 skills, but because it is a remote site, with greater consequences for messing up, pilots should follow the USHPA recommended operating limitations for P2 pilots, which are:
- Maximum base wind of 12 mph.
- Maximum peak gusts to 15 mph.
- Maximum gust rate of 5 mph in 5 seconds
- Should not fly in thermal lift where peak climb rates exceed 200 fpm.
- Launch from slopes steeper than 4:1 with the wind within 25 degrees of being straight up the slope.
Hazards
- The operator of Sheep mountain lodge also flys a helicopter from his lodge and requests that paraglider pilots descend to the north of the runway to avoid conflicting with this helicopter approach.
- This is a serious backcountry flying site with wicked thermals that rip up unforgiving terrain. Most pilots that launch from here, do so with the intention of going cross cross country.
WARNING: The descriptions of typical flying conditions listed in this Site Guide reflect the experience of the authors of the guide. The conditions that you encounter at the site may differ, sometimes substantially, from those described. These descriptions may not be relevant to the possible experience of any other pilot, particularly one who is relatively inexperienced or new to the Site.