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Gallery

Photos: Pilots test winds during Snowdown Balloon Rally

Jerry McBride

Herald Photo Editor

Friday, Feb 3, 2023 4:05 PM MT

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Mike Bertetto stands inside his hot air balloon, Nerfer, as the balloon inflates Friday morning during the Snowdown Balloon Rally and Mass Ascension in the parking lot of Trimble Crossing north of Durango. Weather permitting, there will a mass ascension of 20 hot air balloons at 8 a.m. Saturday and Sunday from different areas in the Dalton Ranch area near Hermosa. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)
Mike Bertetto stands inside his hot air balloon, Nerfer, as the balloon inflates Friday morning during the Snowdown Balloon Rally and Mass Ascension in the parking lot of Trimble Crossing north of Durango. Weather permitting, there will a mass ascension of 20 hot air balloons at 8 a.m. Saturday and Sunday from different areas in the Dalton Ranch area near Hermosa. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)cca
The Western Spirit hot air balloon sails over Trimble Crossing homes Friday morning during the Snowdown Balloon Rally and Mass Ascension in the parking lot of Trimble Crossing north of Durango. Weather permitting, there will a mass ascension of 20 hot air balloons at 8 a.m. Saturday and Sunday from different areas in the Dalton Ranch area near Hermosa. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)
The Western Spirit hot air balloon sails over Trimble Crossing homes Friday morning during the Snowdown Balloon Rally and Mass Ascension in the parking lot of Trimble Crossing north of Durango. Weather permitting, there will a mass ascension of 20 hot air balloons at 8 a.m. Saturday and Sunday from different areas in the Dalton Ranch area near Hermosa. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)cca
A hot air balloon sails down the Animas Valley toward Durango on Friday during the Snowdown Balloon Rally and Mass Ascension in the parking lot of Trimble Crossing north of Durango. Weather permitting, there will a mass ascension of 20 hot air balloons at 8 a.m. Saturday and Sunday from different areas in the Dalton Ranch area near Hermosa. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)
A hot air balloon sails down the Animas Valley toward Durango on Friday during the Snowdown Balloon Rally and Mass Ascension in the parking lot of Trimble Crossing north of Durango. Weather permitting, there will a mass ascension of 20 hot air balloons at 8 a.m. Saturday and Sunday from different areas in the Dalton Ranch area near Hermosa. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)cca
The Nerfer hot air balloon inflates as the Western Spirit balloon lands at Trimble Crossing on Friday morning during the Snowdown Balloon Rally and Mass Ascension in the parking lot of Trimble Crossing north of Durango. Weather permitting, there will a mass ascension of 20 hot air balloons at 8 a.m. Saturday and Sunday from different areas in the Dalton Ranch area near Hermosa. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)
The Nerfer hot air balloon inflates as the Western Spirit balloon lands at Trimble Crossing on Friday morning during the Snowdown Balloon Rally and Mass Ascension in the parking lot of Trimble Crossing north of Durango. Weather permitting, there will a mass ascension of 20 hot air balloons at 8 a.m. Saturday and Sunday from different areas in the Dalton Ranch area near Hermosa. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)cca
Mike Bertetto walks out of his hot air balloon Nerfer as the balloon inflates Friday morning during the Snowdown Balloon Rally and Mass Ascension in the parking lot of Trimble Crossing north of Durango. Weather permitting, there will a mass ascension of 20 hot air balloons at 8 a.m. Saturday and Sunday from different areas in the Dalton Ranch area near Hermosa. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)
Mike Bertetto walks out of his hot air balloon Nerfer as the balloon inflates Friday morning during the Snowdown Balloon Rally and Mass Ascension in the parking lot of Trimble Crossing north of Durango. Weather permitting, there will a mass ascension of 20 hot air balloons at 8 a.m. Saturday and Sunday from different areas in the Dalton Ranch area near Hermosa. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)cca

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