Kernville Slabs

• Wind directionSSW (202°) → NW (315°)
• Ideal speed5–12 mph
• Upper limits≤ 15 mph base · gusts ≤ 18

Kernville Slabs is a Southern Sierra launch above the Kern River valley near Kernville, CA (elev ~3448 ft). No explicit club/USHPA numeric site guide surfaced; the wind window is inferred from the paraglidingEarth orientation hint (working octants SW, W, NW) and a Windfinder station for the site that reports a Southwest-aligned prevailing wind. IDEAL arc set ~202-315 deg (SSW through WNW), facing the launch slope; MARGINAL extends to ~180-337 (S to NNW) as cross/edge directions. This is a thermic mountain/river-valley site: expect strong midday thermals, valley wind that builds through the afternoon, and likely rotor/turbulence behind terrain and in any over-the-back condition. Best flown morning to early afternoon before valley wind overdevelops; light-to-moderate wind only. Treat as a P3/intermediate+ mountain site; confirm direction, speed limits, access, and any waivers with the local club (likely the Kern Valley / SHGA community) and pilots flying out of Kernville before launching. Numbers are conservative estimates, not a verified site guide.