Long Downwinders up the Columbia River

SalmonSlayer · Since 27 Nov 2005 648 Posts Addicted **CGKA Member**

Has anyone ever kite boarded from the mouth of the Columbia up through the Gorge to Roosevelt and beyond ??? Of course this could not be done in one day, but, in legs depending on wind conditions, time......

Aside from the obvious dam hopping challenges is there any reason why this could not be done?

I think it would be an interesting challenge. More value in bragging rights than the fun factor but an adventure none the less.

Just curious.

thx,

P

eric · Since 13 Jan 2006 1872 Posts XTreme Poster

If anyone would/could, my money would be on Cory Roeseler.

Chooch · Tue Jun 16, 09 10:04 am

I think there are some legs of the river that would not work on a west wind. Such as the mouth of the Columbia until Jones. I think the river is to wide for the wind to get the "funnel" effect it needs on a westerly. That's just one of the many spots I think you would have trouble with until you get through PDX

marybear · Since 06 Aug 2007 75 Posts thehood

ive done rosevelt to 3 mile which is about 15 miles way out east
about 10 years ago some dudes started just past the rufus dam to the next dam in a 50mile adventure. stevenson to dougs beach is about 24 miles shooting the hood river bridge is squirrelly, there are some islands before lyle sand bar that give a good rush to dodge
potential hundred miler out east going where no kiter has gone before it gets scifi in the dessert terrain and the river expands where you can tripped out on the isolation factor, i recommended the buddy system, hitchhiking gets more challenging out in the boonies. Very Happy

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4911 Posts Portland Unstrapped

chanson · Since 31 Jan 2006 1874 Posts WISCONSIN Chimey

i've been wanting to do one out at 3mile for awhile now...

lets make it happen Twisted Evil

Reaper356 · Since 10 Dec 2006 781 Posts Salem / LC Oregon Opinionated

I'd be fun to stage a NwKite 20+ mile downwinder! Tons of kites out in the middle of nowhere!

4Stringer/KipWinger · Since 27 Apr 2005 541 Posts Hood River Addicted

Been thinking similar thoughts; would enjoy doing a long-ass downwinder out-east. Sorta' like 73' Dead; exploratory & meandering. Could be called as as audible on a Saturday or Sunday this summer.

Rawked a 'to points unknown' downwinder through the HR Bridge in 2005. Had no takers for company and ended-up at Rowena before the wind shut-off.

Recently learned that Utah Jerry claimed to have kited through the HR bridge going upwind on a westerly in the 2-line days. Shocked

Sella · Tue Jun 16, 09 12:46 pm

Everytime I drive by 3-mile / Roosevelt area it's always capping steady. The Sandbar is closed July 4th weekend for fireworks so spur of the moment big downwinder out East might be a fun call.

shred_da_gorge · Tue Jun 16, 09 1:36 pm

Pepi · Tue Jun 16, 09 3:38 pm

"Downwinder in the Desert" is what we used to nickname the Arlington to Three-Mile Canyon run back in the day on windsurf gear.

17 miles of consistant/strong wind and blissful swell.
Running this section with a posse of kiters and windsurfers has been a longtime dream of mine, especially if we brought along some waterproof camera gear.

July 4th weekend you say? Might be something to throw up in the air as an idea depending on weather forecasts that weekend, huh?

boarderchick · Since 10 Aug 2007 196 Posts Wherever there's wind:-) Stoked

That would be an awesome downwinder Pepi! A casual "non-cgka sponsored/sanctioned" event:-) if the wind is good, then it would be great for all of us to get together camp out and down an amazing downwinder! Yeah...

So, the coast, Flores (they had demo days that weekend), out east for a downwinder, choices to be made for that weekend!