The Gorge Is My Gym

TEMIRA AMELIA LITAL

FORECASTER, ATHLETE, THERAPIST, WRITER, EXTREME GARDENER

Hi all! I’m Temira. For nearly three decades, I’ve been chasing wind and waves in the Columbia Gorge and powder turns and perfect groom on Mt. Hood. Like you, I work. Accurate forecasts are super important – I don’t want to waste my time, and neither do you. In 2006, my passion for recreation led to an obsession with putting out the best forecasts possible. Since then, I’ve been refining my art (the forecasting, not my awesome MS Paint drawings) so you too have the best information possible so you can use your time efficiently.

What sets my forecasts apart from those you can get for free on an app or online? Fifteen years of daily forecasting. Year-round dedication. A deep understanding of (almost) every nook and cranny of the Gorge and the Mid-Columbia. A commitment to looking back at the end of every day and learning more about what happened and why it happened.

The Gorge isn’t just awesome for outdoor recreation. Nope. The climate here is also nearly perfect for gardening. And Hood River falls at just the right latitude and longitude to make for ideal weather for growing giant pumpkins. I’m obsessed with gardening, and I’m really obsessed with giant pumpkins. They make everyone smile, and what’s not to love about that? In 2024, I grew two pumpkins: 1640lb Sooz and 1069.5lb Orthogonal Bob. I hope you’ll be inspired by my gardening reports (Valuable Advice for Gardeners Inhabiting Neighboring Areas) to also take up the sport of Extreme Gardening.

Supporting you as you pursue your passion for outdoor activities is important to me, as is keeping Gorge travelers safe through Temira’s Awesome Travel Advisory Service (TATAS) forecasts. Every day, I’m here helping our community make the most of their precious time outdoors. My commitment to others isn’t limited to sports; I practice spiritual care as well. I’m a licensed counselor in Oregon and Washington, and I’m a Local Dharma Leader, a meditation leader in the Insight tradition, at Seattle Insight Meditation Society. In other words, not only can I help you exercise your body, I can support you in caring for your soul.

As part of my commitment to 2,600 years of tradition in generosity, I provide meditation guidance free of charge. I extend that commitment to the forecasts: they’re freely available to everyone, every day. Many members of our community choose to make a monthly, yearly, or one-time contribution – whatever feels right to them – to ensure these forecasts continue to serve everyone who loves the Gorge. Your support makes it possible for me to wake up early every morning, spend a couple hours analyzing complex weather data, and deliver the accurate, entertaining forecasts you’ve come to rely on. Whether you’re saving gas money by avoiding bad conditions or scoring epic sessions by knowing exactly when to go, your contribution helps keep this valuable resource available for our whole community.

I trust in all of you to support this work in whatever way feels right. Even a few dollars helps ensure these forecasts remain available for everyone who loves our amazing outdoor playground. Ready to join our community of supporters? Just click one of the buttons below.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT: I’d like to thank Bart Vervloet and Laura Green for teaching me the basics of forecasting. Without their guidance, The Gorge Is My Gym would never have come to be.