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Current conditions
Where it is
What we look for at Black Mountain
Wind direction
W (270°) → NW (320°)
The wind must blow from within this arc. Direction is the same for both wings.
Ideal speed
3–10 mph
Ceiling · Paragliding
≤ 19 mph base · gusts ≤ 23
Top of the range for paragliding (any rating) — switch wings up top to compare. Hang gliders hold roughly 10 mph more than paragliders.
Black Mountain Upper (Main) Launch, ~4500 ft MSL, W/NW-facing on a south-north trending ridgeline (western aspect), in the North Cascades east of Bellingham, WA. North Cascades Soaring Club site guide gives explicit numbers for this launch: ideal wind direction 270-320 deg, marginal/cross 240-300 deg, ideal PG speed ~6 mph (range light to ~10 mph), with conservative gust tolerance. Rating: Intermediate / P-3 / H-3; launch is considered technical with elevated P-3 skills required. Launch is short with only a few steps before a steep runout, and winds can vary from strong to light, demanding good wing-handling. Best time noon to sunset; evenings offer smoother thermals. LZ is at ~900 ft MSL in the grassy group-camp field at Silver Lake County Park, surrounded by tall trees with a barn and potential rotor; glide ratio of ~3:1 needed to reach the main LZ. Access is currently hike-in only (vehicle road closed behind Sierra Pacific/logging gates). Lower launches (Middle, and Lippy's Leap at ~2900 ft) work in a slightly wider 250-350 deg arc. Consistent soaring/thermal site; home of the late-summer Can-Am fly-in.
Window data compiled from northcascadessoaringclub.com — public site guides and club resources.
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