ski - The Gorge is my Gym

Good morning!

This week’s report is brought to you by Gath Helmets. It’s going to be windy today, and you’re probably going to get on the water. It’s a good day for a Gath – they prefer being on your head to being on the shelf in a shop. Don’t have one? Pick one up today and rescue a poor, sad helmet from life on a shop shelf (they’re a lot like cats at the rescue center). Gath helmets are light, comfortable, and low-profile. You’ll barely notice it’s on, until you smack your head and realize you’re still alive. Check out some of the cool styles from Gath here. Get a Gath. One of the email subscribers is going to win a free Gath helmet this week. That’s like getting an extra life. (and if you’re not on the list, subscribe by clicking the donate button below for a suggested $10 donation.)

The west wind is blowing again, and it looks like we’re in for a long windy streak. The 5am gradient from Portland to The Dalles was .13 and although it was difficult to see because it’s dark out at 5:20 now, it appears the marine clouds are west of Hood River. Today’s a static setup, so the wind should be steadier than it was yesterday. We’ll have 25-28 from Hood River to Mosier this morning, filling in at Stevenson by midday and Doug’s later in the afternoon.

It was blowing all the way out to Arlington early this morning, but I think the western Gorge is a better call today. There is a chance the Wall and Rufus will hold in the upper teens to low twenties, so keep that in mind as an option today.

Friday looks windy too, but a low pressure trough along the coast will probably cause winds to back off into the upper teens to low twenties.

Looking ahead to the weekend wind forecast, the marine layer deepens on Saturday as an upper trough sets up along the coast, burying Portland in clouds. As that trough moves east on Sunday, a strong gradient develops across the Gorge, and snow levels fall to 8000 feet, bringing the first dusting of the La Nina snow to Mt. Adams and Mt. Hood!

Coming up tonight, there’s the Post and Pint ride out of Dirty Fingers Bike Repair at 5:30, the Thursday night Tri bonus practice at the east end of the Event Site at 6pm, and there’s a free Crossfit crazy workout meeting at the south side of the Event Site at 5:30.

And coming up tomorrow, just in case you’re really beat up, there’s free acupuncture from 10 to 3 at Columbia Gorge Community Acupuncture in Hood River. Call 399-3169 to schedule, or stop by 208 4th Street.

Boaters, the White Salmon’s just below 2 feet and the Klickitat’s at 795 cfs. Coming up on September 11th, there’s a rafting race on the White Salmon River. Details here: http://www.nwrafting.com/white-salmon

Have a great day today!

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.

It’s windy. Stop reading and get on the water! 8/18

Good morning!

This week’s report is brought to you by Gath Helmets. It’s going to be super windy today, and even if you never wear a helmet, you might want to consider wearing one today. Don’t have one? Get a Gath. They’re light, comfortable, and low-profile. You’ll barely notice it’s on, until you smack your head and realize you’re still alive. Check out some of the cool styles from Gath here. Get a Gath. One of the email subscribers is going to win a free Gath helmet this week. That’s like getting an extra life. (and if you’re not on the list, subscribe by clicking the donate button below for a suggested $10 donation.)

Kiters and Windsurfers, stop looking at the iWindsurf readings on your computer, turn off your smartphone, and get on the water. The 5am gradient from Portland to the Dalles was at .16, and there was another .06 out east. With the low clouds just west of Hood River, you want to be at the Hatch, the Sandbar or at Mosier this morning for 27-31 with higher gusts. .

If you can’t get out until the afternoon, that’s fine too, because it’s going to blow 28-32 or more from Doug’s out to Arlington later today. If you see the wind getting gusty wherever you are today (and there’s a good chance of that as the frontal system approaches/passes), take a look at the readings way out east, because the upper low and passing frontal system favor Arlington and Roosevelt. There’s also a good chance of strong wind at Stevenson today, so if you have the ability, keep one eye to the west, and one eye to the east.

Thursday and Friday look windy too, with 24-28 near Hood River in the morning and at Stevenson and Doug’s in the afternoon. The way things are looking now, the mid twenties west wind will blow through the weekend.

If you’re working today and you’re looking for something to do tonight, there are Sailboat races out of the Hood River Marina, meeting on the docks at 5:30. With the strong wind those races should be super fun, with lots of carnage tonight. There’s also the Kayak Shed’s shop paddle, meeting at the Husum put-in, also at 5:30.

Coming up tomorrow night for the after work crowd, there’s the Thursday Night Tri bonus practice, the Post and Pint ride in Post Canyon, and a free crossfit workout at the Event Site.

Have a great day today!

Temira