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windpower
Since 27 Jul 2010
48 Posts
Hood River / Colorado
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 Sun Oct 03, 10 6:15 pm Rowena to Lyle upwinder: proof of concept |
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Launched today from the west end of Mayer State Park in Rowena, from a sandy cove that my dog and I have long fondly referred to as "Secret Sand Dune", as it's the perfect secluded picnic spot on a calm day, with a fun steep sand dune for rolling and a nearby warm-water pond for swimming.
Went upwind to Lyle sandbar and back!
No significant problems other than a LOT of work, given the wind situation, and a rather inelegant landing that involved swimming a bit, due to having I think a slightly undersized 5.5m kite. Wind was sketchy across the whole river, so it's hard to know whether there were any particular issues with turbulence near the cliffs, as has been suggested (i.e., my kite was misbehaving on the downwind trip just as often by the north side as the south side).
Next time, the idea could be to actually land on the sandbar, bring a picnic lunch in a waterproof bag, and hang out before turning around... or maybe go upwind all the way from the east end of the park.
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- Laura |
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Kataku2k3
Since 14 Aug 2005
3753 Posts
Los Angeles, CA
Videographer
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| Sun Oct 03, 10 6:23 pm |
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| The wind's ALWAYS funky on the south side (near 84), unless it's WNW-NW. |
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hilton
Since 15 Aug 2008
803 Posts
Opinionated
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| Sun Oct 03, 10 7:27 pm |
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| I think it would be more fun to head downwind from Rowena and ride the swell past Doug's then have your picnic at the Secret Spot beach before heading back upwind. |
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Sella
Since 21 Apr 2007
1794 Posts
Doin' The Dalles
FLY'IN HIGH PIE GUY
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| Mon Oct 04, 10 8:09 am |
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| hilton wrote: | | I think it would be more fun to head downwind from Rowena and ride the swell past Doug's then have your picnic at the Secret Spot beach before heading back upwind. |
Totally.
A Stevenson to Secret Ironman would be fun to attempt someday too.
Last edited by Sella on Tue Oct 05, 10 8:47 am; edited 1 time in total |
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hilton
Since 15 Aug 2008
803 Posts
Opinionated
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| Mon Oct 04, 10 4:38 pm |
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Rowena to Secret Spot (Discovery Center) is only about 3-4 miles.
It's a pretty straight stretch of river with fairly consistent wind and some decent swell at Doug's and Doug's West. |
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windpower
Since 27 Jul 2010
48 Posts
Hood River / Colorado
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| Tue Oct 05, 10 1:37 pm data |
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so, how far is a reasonable distance to attempt upwind? how far have people actually gone? would be curious to hear experiences.
rowena west to lyle is i think about 1/2 mile, and that took 30-45 min in crappy wind (which would make a difference, and included a couple board recoveries). so that felt far.
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- Laura |
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ldhr
Since 21 Jul 2009
1489 Posts
Hood River
XTreme Poster
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| Tue Oct 05, 10 1:51 pm |
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My favorite upwinders are the ones where you can ride the current/elevator upwind and then surf the swells back to your starting point.
Rufus to upper wall.
Sandbar to Swell City.
Secrets to Doug's west.
Any others? |
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