East Winds lookin good.

shymac · Since 20 Jul 2005 919 Posts Home Valley, Wa. Bigfoot

Just got back from the river. Vineto to the Locks looks really nice becoming stronger as you enter Stevenson. Should be 9 or 11 day. Sunny crisp and warm. So get you ass out there! It is getting pretty strong as the day moves on.

pkh · Since 27 Feb 2005 6549 Posts Couve / Hood Honored Founder

Anyone want to do the Home Valley -> Stevenson downwinder?

shymac · Since 20 Jul 2005 919 Posts Home Valley, Wa. Bigfoot

I'll be there at 1:00 at the beach in Home Valley. There should be crew of about 3 or 4. Should kick ass. See you out there...

Kodiak · Since 01 Aug 2005 1114 Posts Slidey

So who got out today? Tom, Chris and I were at ROoster, but the launch and winds looked a bit sketch so we hit the airport. Saw a couple other fooks out there. Its a pretty nice launch area, but man the current was super strong today, staying upwind was definitely a challenge.

pkh · Since 27 Feb 2005 6549 Posts Couve / Hood Honored Founder

I did a downwinder from The Dalles to White Salmon, pretty fast one like 65mph. Wink

Super bummed I haven't been out since Friday, especially ashamed of pulling the "working on the house" excuse as that is the oldest and most tired excuse there is.

At least I have a refrigerator now.

Onad · Sun Apr 23, 06 7:08 pm

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4911 Posts Portland Unstrapped

Last man standing at Home Valley. (around 2PM).

Rolled in just as two bros were getting ready to head-off on a downwinder. Waded out, wrestled kites. lines, all kinds of snaggy shit, swirly stupid windshadow and gots them on there way.

Grabbed my gear, pumped up quick - figured I'd catch up with these guys.
Sorted my lines, rolled them back-up, grabbed the kite and waded out - figuring I will self launch off the rocky point. No problemo. Piled a bunch of slimy rocks and piled them high on my 11m, carefully unrolled my lines, put a little pressure to double check all is in order - this is gonna be textbook.

Before I get a chance to pull the trigger - the wind swirls - rocks flyoff - kite spins around a couple times - mofo - back to the drawing board.

Sort out the mess - gesture wildly to better half to wade out a give me a launch - no its not cold - the water is supposed to be that color - slime, I don't feel any slime. She says no way but does enlist Random guy with dog.

Random guy rocks! Random guy is a windsurfer and though he's never touched a kite, he has seen it done and then he says "so i should grab the leading edge, right?" Super Karma - this guy is money. So I pull tight, check the lines, Random guy follows commands, sweeet, no premature launch, wait for it, wait, wait, wait, now, perfect, its up, nice, redirect, good, perfect, swirl, tree, no problem - will clear it, clear it, clear it mofo.

Blam.

Kite impaled on tippy top of 30 foot tree.

Rollo Tomasi · Since 17 Mar 2005 983 Posts Attractive

Ouch!! I gotta give you an E for effort dude.

Eh... drop the kite at Airtime, if you were able to retrieve it, and motor over to Full Sail for a Session to complete the remedy. Drunk

pkh · Since 27 Feb 2005 6549 Posts Couve / Hood Honored Founder

Booo kites in trees no good! Big time bummer gman. Sad

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4911 Posts Portland Unstrapped

Thanks - did get it back (tree climbing can be hairy). It looks like just one panel got impaled - airtime should fix. Thanks.

shymac · Since 20 Jul 2005 919 Posts Home Valley, Wa. Bigfoot

I had a good downwinder just a little light at the end but made it in nice and easy. Looks pretty good today. Just get out early before 2:00