Whale Hill

• Wind directionSE (135°) → S (180°)
• Ideal speed5–12 mph
• Upper limits≤ 15 mph base · gusts ≤ 18

Whale Hill is a high-altitude (~12,106 ft MSL summit, ~3,800 ft vertical) free-flight launch in the San Luis Valley / Villa Grove–Poncha Pass area of central Colorado, west side of the northern Sangre de Cristo range. Described by Colorado pilots as a "morning site with a safer launch," favored as an alternative to Princeton (which has dust devils near launch). No source gives explicit wind-direction degrees or speed numbers for Whale Hill specifically, so the arc is inferred from the paraglidingEarth SE/S orientation hint: ideal ~135-180 deg (SE through S), marginal/cross edges roughly 110-205 deg. Speeds are inferred from typical high-altitude Rocky Mountain thermal flying and from the neighboring Villa Grove guidance: launch best in light morning winds; valley wind compresses/venturis along the ridgeline so launch wind can be substantially stronger than the valley forecast (Villa Grove notes ~15 mph in the valley can blow PGs over the back). Treat as an intermediate-and-up thermal/XC site (P3/H3-class judgment recommended). HAZARDS: strong midday/afternoon thermals and over-development with thunderstorms and gust fronts common May–August; venturi/compression and "blown over the back" risk when upper winds are strong; thin air and high density altitude at 12k ft degrade glider/wing performance and inflation. BEST TIME: morning (smoother, lighter wind, safer launch) before convective build-up. Access is via RMHPA-area local knowledge; confirm current access, conditions, and exact launch with local pilots (RMHPA / Villa Grove community) before flying — site-specific published data is sparse.