wind forecast - 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.

Good morning!

This week’s report is brought to you by Mosier’s best places to hang out, the Thirsty Woman, Good River restaurant, and Vine 69 wine bar. If you haven’t been to the Thirsty Woman, you’re missing out. There are about 20 awesome beers on tap, and the $7 nachos are awesome. Better yet, Thirsty Woman has a big outdoor yard with plenty of sunny or shady seating, and a great view of the beautiful Gorge sunsets. Hop on your bike and ride to Mosier this evening for a beer or dinner – it’s only 6.5 miles from downtown, and the ride can’t be beat. One of you will win $25 at each of the three restaurants this week, so head to Mosier and support our sponsor!

It was already blowing at 5am with the Portland to The Dalles gradient at .15. The gradient will build and shift east as the day goes on. Head to the Hatchery or Sandbar this morning for westerlies building into the 26-30 range. The wind will probably get gusty midday, so head east to Doug’s, the Wall and possibly Arlington late in the day for 28-32. If you want to watch some amazing kiteboarding, head to Stevenson for the Bridge of the Gods pro event and photo shoot today. Tomorrow is the amateur event.

Also today in the western Gorge is a lot of sailboat racing at Cascade Locks. Representing the windsurfing community is Simon Pearson of BC in the Fireball class (those are super-fast boats more related to spaceships than to classic sailboats). Best of luck to Simon and his sailing partner! And if you want to see some new-school sailboat racing, head to Cascade Locks and check it out!

Tomorrow looks windy too as a cold front crosses the Cascades. If the clouds make it past Hood River tomorrow morning, head to Mosier and Doug’s for 23-26 in the morning. As the clouds burn back, the wind will fill in near Hood River and at Maryhill in the 24-27 range.

Coming up tonight, it’s First Friday in Hood River, with the 2nd Wind and IPS Skate Shop rail jam on 4th Street, complete with 6 truckloads of snow donated by Timberline Lodge, and music by Sunderland! Also tonight, from 4-8, there’s a trek road and mountain bike demo at Post Canyon.

And coming up this weekend, there are a ton of events. There’s the O(regon)BRA road championships in Trout Lake (no, the irony is not lost on me), and Jackson’s Ride the Gorge in Hood River (fully supported 25/50/100 mile road ride to benefit sarcoma research), Jr. Forest Ranger day at Skibowl, the Trout Lake Fair, and the continuation of the Bridge of the Gods kiteboarding festival.

Boaters, the White Salmon’s just above 2 feet and the Klickitat’s at 950 cfs. If you want to boat with a crowd, there’s the Kayak Shed’s Saturday shop paddle tomorrow meeting at Husum (I believe) at 10:30.

Have an awesome day today!

Temira