Forecast - The Gorge is my Gym

Good morning!

This week’s report is brought to you by Classic Wings Aero Services in Hood River. At Classic Wings, you can go for a flight over the Columbia, around Mt. Hood, or anywhere your heart desires. And if your heart desires to learn how to fly, Classic Wings can help you out with that too. If you’ve never taken a scenic flight in the Gorge, you should. Darla took me up one day, and I was amazed. You can see your ski hill from above, your bike trails from above, and you can take awesome photos of the entire Gorge Gym from above. I know it sounds really touristy, but it’s a great experience and I totally recommend it!

Turns out those two tickets were just good at the Fly-In this weekend, so I handed them out to Whit and Doug M. yesterday, as they were super quick on the draw (or keyboard)… they both responded to the giveaway email within 30 seconds. A close runner-up was Mark Frost, who wins a tray of brownies as a consolation prize.

It’s another light wind start this morning, but the wind will bump up a little bit today as a weather disturbance moves through Washington. Westerlies will blow in the 13-16 range from Hood River to Mosier later on today. Tomorrow looks quite light, as high pressure continues to span the Cascades and a low pressure system sits off the coast.

There are about a zillion things going on this weekend to keep you busy if the wind doesn’t blow. First off, there’s the Gorge Fly-In at Waaam in Hood River, where you can take a $20 plane ride with Classic Wings Aero Services. Also at the fly-in are all sorts of cool planes and vintage cars.

The Huckleberry Festival is going on in Bingen, the Fluidride mountain bike race is at Skibowl, and there’s a whitewater rafting race on the White Salmon this afternoon. The race starts at 3:00 at BZ, so the boaters will be coming through Husum sometime after that. Part of the deal is they have to flip the raft above Rattlesnake rapid, so there should be some good carnage for you spectators.

There’s even something for beer drinkers today: The Dalles Civic Auditorium hosts Beer Fest from 1-9pm. $10 gets you in the door, gets you a mug, and gets you 5 tokens for four-ounce samples.

And finally, the White Salmon’s at 1 ¾ feet, the Klickitat’s at 730 cfs and the Tieton’s at 1830cfs. If you’re a little short on boating gear, the Kayak Shed is having a gear swap today starting at 9am, and if that’s a little early for you, they are providing coffee and donuts to wake you up. There’s a rumor of hot dogs around noon as well. You should get your week’s fill of saturated fat by eating at the Kayak Shed today!

And if coffee and donuts aren’t your thing, remember the White Salmon firefighters fundraising pancake breakfast from 6am to 10am. Head to the firehouse and eat your fill of nutritious pancakes before you head out to play today!

Have a great day today! Don’t eat too many pancakes and donuts, and don’t drink too much free coffee!

Temira

p.s. If you find this report useful, entertaining, or just want to recognize all the hard work that goes into it, please take the time to make a donation by clicking on the button at the bottom of the page. For a suggested donation of $10, I’ll add you to the email version of this list ‘til May 2011, putting you in the running for cool prizes donated by the weekly sponsors.

Good morning!

This week’s report is brought to you by Classic Wings Aero Services in Hood River. At Classic Wings, you can go for a flight over the Columbia, around Mt. Hood, or anywhere your heart desires. And if your heart desires to learn how to fly, Classic Wings can help you out with that too. If you’ve never taken a scenic flight in the Gorge, you should. Darla took me up one day, and I was amazed. You can see your ski hill from above, your bike trails from above, and you can take awesome photos of the entire Gorge Gym from above. Two of you lucky dogs are going to win free flights this week!

First, I’ve been slacking on the prize drawings, so without further ado: The previous winner of the 2nd Wind hiking package didn’t claim the prize, so the rad hiking pack with all sorts of goodies goes to Heidi C. Last week’s prize, a free month at Crossfit Hood River, goes to Mark D. And finally, this past week’s prize from 2nd Wind, a Mountain Hardware Flip sleeping bag, goes to Big Jim (he’ll probably need it in Baja!)…

The wind was light on the river at 5am this morning, and it’s going to stay that way for much of the day today as high pressure bridging the Cascades keeps a significant pressure gradient from developing. At best, westerlies will pick up late today into the 10-15 range from Hood River out to Maryhill.

Coming up tomorrow, a trough of low pressure slides across the BC-Washington border. That area of low pressure combines with high pressure off the coast for a decent westerly gradient through the Gorge. Although the wind doesn’t look super strong, we should see 17-20 during the morning and 22-26 in the afternoon. But before you get on the water tomorrow, remember the White Salmon Firemen’s pancake breakfast! There’s no better way to fuel your day than with a big plate of pancakes!

If the models hold for Sunday, high pressure will fill in across the Cascades for a sunny day in the Gorge and a glassy day on the river, so break out your sunscreen and your paddleboard for a last blast of summer!

Coming up this weekend, it’s the Gorge Fly-In up at Waaam, where you can see cool planes and vintage cars. Also this weekend is a disc golf tournament at the Mt. Adams Lodge, and a whitewater rafting race on the White Salmon River on Saturday afternoon.

And speaking of whitewater, the Kayak Shed is having a swap meet on Saturday and Sunday starting at 9am. Drop off your gear today, and get there early Saturday for the best selection!

And finally, the White Salmon’s at 1 ¾ feet and the Tieton’s at 1800cfs. I think half of the Gorge paddling community is headed to the Tieton this weekend, so grab some friends and head out there!

Have a great day today!

Temira