Duck Hill

• Wind directionWNW (300°) → N (360°)
• Ideal speed8–15 mph
• Upper limits≤ 18 mph base · gusts ≤ 20

Duck Hill is a documented ridge-soaring site on the west side of Washoe Valley near Washoe Lake, NV (BHGC "Lake Tahoe-Reno Area" database; lat 39.2246, lon -119.7793, ~5900 ft MSL; LZ ~5100 ft to the WNW). Pilot rating per BHGC: H3, or H2 with instructor recommended; unregulated site. No source published explicit wind-direction degrees or speed limits for the launch, so numbers below are INFERRED from the paraglidingEarth N/NW orientation hint plus general ridge-soaring norms. Ideal arc taken as roughly NW through N (~300-360 deg, wind FROM); marginal/cross edges extend into W (~280) and NNE/NE (~30) where the ridge starts to become cross or shadowed. Ideal ridge-soaring band ~8-15 mph; base usable to ~18 mph; gust cap ~20 mph given high-elevation thin air and PG/HG mixed use. MAJOR REGIONAL HAZARD: the Washoe Zephyr - a strong, abrupt afternoon thermally-driven valley wind (commonly SW/S, can exceed 25-35 mph) that builds most summer afternoons and can blow the site out or create rotor; favor morning/early flying and the glass-off, and watch for overdevelopment and rapid wind increases. High density altitude at 5850+ ft means faster launch/landing speeds. Confirm current direction limits, LZ, and access with a local Reno/Tahoe pilot (BHGC) before flying.