The Gorge is my Gym

Good morning!

First off, the ski report. At Meadows, it’s partly cloudy, 25 degrees with two inches of new. Over at T-line, it’s 26 degrees, with 1 inch of new. Both resorts have moderate wind. If you’re looking for powder, clear your schedule for Tuesday at T-line, because we’re going to see quite a bit of snow Monday into Tuesday. Today is Mazotfest at Meadows… Double Mountain beer and a fundraising party for the avalanche dogs of the Pro Patrol.

Meadows is closed from Monday through Friday this week, but Monday is employee ski day. Don’t try and poach it, because they will be checking passes. =) It’s probably not a good day to hike within the resort (not that you would every do that) either, as you’ll get kicked out. And… it’s either going to be pouring rain and blowing really hard or dumping snow and blowing really hard, with limited visibility and increasing avalanche danger.

Hopefully you got some of the river wind the last few days. I’m so bummed I missed yesterday… was anyone at Arlington? I want a report! Today’s going to be a little lighter, as we’re between systems. Even so, we’re starting off with at 9 gradient in the west and another 10 out east. That’s make for 16-19 this morning from the Corridor to Arlington, building this afternoon to 24-28 from Hood River eastward. Don’t forget about the e.coli closures at Lyle, Rowena and Doug’s!

A very strong cold front moves in tomorrow, and that’s going to make things exciting on the river. We’ll have to wait until tomorrow morning for specifics (mostly because I have no idea exactly what’s going to happen), but it’s going to be quite windy, likely at Arlington, but possibly closer to home. Westerlies continue on Tuesday…

In biking world, things are drying out a bit, especially towards the east. Eastside Ridge trail and Tower of Power are actually a bit dry, as is the trail that shall not be named (thank you Mark and Steve), and Syncline is beautiful, as always, if you can handle the wind. The Fluidride Enduro finishes up at Dog River today, so it’s public domain again tomorrow, and should be in excellent shape.

Don’t forget that tonight is the Banff film festival at Andrew’s… see you there?

Have a great day today!

Temira

Good morning!

On the slopes today, Meadows is open from 9am – 2pm with limited chairs. Right now, it’s 29 degrees, with no new and a 117 inch base. At Timberline, it’s 26 degrees with no new and a 159 inch base.

If you’re planning on windsurfing or kiting in the Columbia today, you may have heard that there was a little problem at The Dalles wastewater plant yesterday. Since there’s E.Coli in the water, they (and I!!!) are recommending you stay out of the Columbia between Dallesport and Lyle, so Doug’s, Rowena and Lyle are out until Monday.

If you want to hit the water, we’re starting off with low teens in the corridor, and mid twenties out east, but as a warm front pushes in and combines with high pressure at the coast, winds pick up to 27-30 (maybe more) from Mosier to Arlington. My pick would be Maryhill or Arlington. Tomorrow looks like a light west corridor day. Monday looks big in the corridor. Big and gusty. Gnarly and gusty if the models are correct. Cross your fingers.

If you’re a mountain biker, today is your chance to ride the 7 mile Columbia Hills trail. If you’d like to ride, meet at the trailhead at 10am. It’s ½ mile past Horsethief butte on the left side of the road at a gate and cattle guard. You’ll see a few cars parked there. Otherwise, if you’d like to spectate, today is the first day of the Fluidride Enduro on the Dog River Trail. Otherwise… sounds like Post is still pretty muddy, so go ride something else until tomorrow… hopefully today’s wind will dry out Postie.

Boaters, the Hood’s at 4.1 feet, the White Salmon’s at 4 feet, and the Little White’s at 706 cfs.

And finally, if you need something to do tonight, the Hood River Saddle Club has a fundraising spaghetti feed and the Banff Mountain Film Festival plays at Andrews.

Have an awesome day today!

Temira