Good morning Gorge sports fanatics and happy National Trails Day!
Today’s non-windsport pick of the day is free whitewater rafting. Imperial Rafting Company in Maupin takes you on a free 45 minute class IV ride down the Deschutes. Before and after, you can watch chainsaw ice-sculpting, play a few rounds of texas-hold-em and eat some BBQ!
Windsurfers and kiters, Doug’s was nuclear epic yesterday, and today looks like another very windy one in the Gorge. Morning gradients are .15 (Portland to the Dalles), .14 (The Dalles to Pasco) and .38 (North Bend to Pasco). That’s huge (like the Mall), and winds are already in the mid-twenties. With the cloud line past The Dalles at 6am, strongest winds will be from Maryhill out to Arlington. We’ll see 30-35+ out there today, with Doug’s probably hitting 30-35+ this afternoon as clouds back off. For lighter wind, stay home and turn on the fan. No, really, head to Stevenson or Hood River for gusty 15-19.
I’m wondering, is 30-35+ a valid forecast, or should I just say 35-40? =)
If you’re headed to The Wall, remember that you can’t launch at the main area, due to reseeding of native plants. Be patient, this project will banish the horrible stabbing starthistle forever. If you’re upset about this, just remember the last time 25 starthistle seeds stabbed you in the bum when you sad down to rig.
With less marine deck and weaker onshore flow, tomorrow looks lighter, with westerlies in the 20-23 range for much of the day. It’s going to be a good day for the under-the-radar, under-the-bridge swim. Meet at the east end of the Hood River Inn at 7:30 am. I am not sponsoring this swim. Neither is anyone else. It’s totally stealth (that’s why it was on my radio report this morning) and nobody is liable for any damage you may do to yourself. Swimming in cold water under a large bridge in a 4 knot current is just a silly idea, and you should only do it if you are properly trained and prepared to die. Having said that, swimming under the bridge sounds like fun to me.
Boaters, the Hood’s at 4.9 feet, the White Salmon’s at 4.3 feet, the Little White’s at 650 cfs and the Wind River’s at 530 cfs.
Whatever you do today, have an awesome day!