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Montague Soaring Tips
by
Gary Kemp
We have been accused of not telling pilots who are visiting from out of the area
the 3 secrets of flying at Montague. Nothing could be further from the truth. We
have held unofficial briefings and are free with information to anyone who asks,
but you need to ask locals and they will tell you.
A sectional chart would probably help as you review this information. Klamath
Falls Sectional covers the Contest envelope. There are no restricted areas in
the Contest area.
We normally tow off to the North, over Mary1s Butte (small hill just North of
the airport) to Paradise Craggy, which is about 5000 feet to the Northwest 5
miles from Siskiyou County airport. We do this because lift is generally quite
reliable there, without a much longer tow. We have released as low as 1000 feet
over Mary's Butte. We have towed to Bogus Mountain to the Northeast, but this is
generally not as reliable. Black Mountain is not generally reliable for
thermals. Our tows go to 2500 feet for contests, there is always someone who
doesn1t get the message and gets off at 2000 feet. From here there are several
reliable areas. Before a start many go to Cottonwood peak, which is North of
Paradise Craggy along I-5.....good lift is attainable on the ridge which is
lower, running out towards the Klamath river. Just West of Craggy, is Beaver
Mountain, which gives you enough altitude to jump to the Gunsite ridge, just
West of Yreka High School. Popular local thermal sites on this ridge include, 1)
the Numbers, 2) Fasic's Furnace, 3) the Towers. Just Southwest of the Towers is
Forest Mountain which is reliable about 95% of the time. Another good thermal
site is to the South called Duzel Rock, a lookout tower and distinctive rock.
Thermals are found within a mile of the top.
The Marble Mountains work well about 50% of the time, unless there are cu's on
top. If not, it is probably better to cross the Scott Valley towards Duzel Rock
before continuing South to Callahan.
Coming Southwest from the Siskiyou Airport, you reach a hill with towers on it
called Antelope, this is generally productive. All recommendations need to be
tempered with caution as they are not always 100%. For instance we usually say
don't expect lift out in the Scott and Shasta Valley, but you can in the Butte
Valley, particularly East of 97. We called a first turnpoint at Weed in a
Standard Nationals several years ago and several pilots tried to go directly
there out of the start gate at Siskiyou county airport. A lot of people landed
around Weed airport. The route to fly is usually around the mountains on the
West side of the valley. Unless there are cu in the valley.
If there is a West or Southwest wind a wave can form along I-5 near Weed. Also
downwind of Shasta with harmonics reaching to Tulelake. The predominant wind is
from the North and this air mass runs into the Sacramento Valley air on the
South end of the Shasta valley forming a shear that starts around Weed airport
and runs East to near Whale back (North of south of it depending on conditions).
It will then head towards Tennant and swing North to near three sheds and then
back South over Medicine lake and out to dry lake. This is a very profitable
route for trips to the Dry Lake turnpoint. Also a shear line sets up from
Tennant North to Radar and we have had high speed POST task flown in this area.
(Dale over 100 mph on two days in a sports class contest)
We usually don't fly East or Northeast unless we have cumulus markers as
the terrain tends to be somewhat inhospitable. Going North to Crater Lake
usually stay on the high ground running just on the West side of the Klamath
basin, rarely would you want to go over Ashland and Medford (no Lift and lower
bases) unless there are cu markers. I have flown all the way around the Medford
basin but there were cu markers.
If you are going East it is usually difficult early in the day. The North end of
the ridge (North of Willow Creek Peak) has some clear cut areas that are fairly
consistent for lift. Careful crossing as it flattens out from Willow Creek Peak
to Ball Mountain. Many will try climbing up around the two peaks, Willow Creek
and Goose1s nest. Coming down this ridge from South to North or vice versa with
a west wind blowing is productive. But going across is a little tricky. Table
mountain and the Canyon going East is sometimes productive as is Hurd peak on
the South End, Whale back is generally good. If you have any questions, ask me
or some of the other locals.
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