The Whaleback
📍 California , Siskiyou County · Nearest city: Weed (23 km)
16 XC score / 100 · takeoff at 2254 m · 📍 View on map
Coordinates and external links
41.53400, -122.15300Forecast next days
Updated: 2026-04-21 02:30 UTC · Source: Open-Meteo · Thermal window 10:00–18:00 local time
Flyable day, decent conditions, cloud base ~123 m, strong wind (28 km/h).
base ~123m · wind 28 km/hMarginal conditions, cloud base ~47 m, wind 21 km/h, precipitation 1.3 mm.
base ~47m · wind 21 km/h · precip 1.3mmMarginal conditions, cloud base ~483 m, wind 9 km/h.
base ~483m · wind 9 km/hComposite flyability score (CAPE + LI + wind + precip + low clouds). Cross-check with local pilots before flying.
🌬 Daily wind (next days)
Daily summary (10m wind). Full hour × altitude chart is being added progressively.
Takeoff orientations
Green = good orientation · Yellow = possible · Gray = not suitable
Why this site has thermal potential
| Factor | Value | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| Hotspot density (5 km) | 0 | Low |
| Avg thermal probability | 0.00 | Based on thousands of aggregated IGC flights |
| Solar orientation | 0.38 | Slope faces south in northern hemisphere |
| Own flight history | 0.00 | Thermals detected in platform IGC tracks |
Takeoff description
Expanded launch area along forest road at top of clearcut/burn area. Requires flat slope launch skills. See http://rvhpa.org/site-guide/whaleback/
Rules and notes
Klamath Falls airport controlled airspace is to the north on northerly XC route. No landing in Lava Beds National Monument (on XC route to NE).
Pilot comments
Improved and expanded LZ. Committing XC site. Great evening flying, very strong mid-day conditions.
Nearby sites
Herd Peak (20) · Pelican Butte (13) · Mt. Stukel (15) · Hagelstein (Upper Klamath Lake) (10) · Hat Creek rim (10) · Woodrat Mountain (9)