Whale

• Wind directionNE (45°) → SE (135°)
• Ideal speed5–12 mph
• Upper limits≤ 15 mph base · gusts ≤ 18

"Whale" is a high-altitude (8278 ft MSL) thermal/XC launch in the Wales/Mount Pleasant area of Sanpete County, central Utah, on Manti-La Sal National Forest land managed by Central Utah Air Sports Association (CUASA). It is part of the same cluster of CUASA launches (Wales/Horse Heaven) that have flown 150-300+ km XC. No club or USHPA source published explicit wind-direction degrees or speed limits for this specific takeoff, so the arc and speeds below are INFERRED from the paraglidingEarth orientation octants (N, NE, E, SE, S = an east-facing slope catching wind from the eastern half) plus general high-desert thermal-site knowledge. Ideal arc taken as the NE-E-SE core (~45-135 deg, centered due E ~90); marginal/edge extends to N (0) and S (180), beyond which it goes cross/lee. As a primarily morning-to-midday thermal XC launch, light cycles are preferred; this is NOT a soaring ridge, so a steady straight-in light-to-moderate breeze that lets you kite and launch into a cycle is ideal. Speeds are conservative because of high density altitude at 8278 ft (true airspeed for launch is higher than indicated wind; wings inflate sluggishly and overshoot), so keep base wind modest. HAZARDS/NOTES: strong midday/afternoon thermals and gust cycles, density-altitude performance loss, potential rotor and venturi in the Sanpete Valley terrain, and rapidly building cumulus/overdevelopment on summer afternoons. Best window is morning into early afternoon before thermals get rowdy. ACCESS: CUASA membership + USHPA (or tourist membership) required; intermediate (P3/H3)+ XC-capable site — get a local briefing before flying. VERIFY the exact wind window, speed limits, and current access on the CUASA site guide (cuasa.com/site-guide) or with local pilots before relying on these numbers.