Gorge Winds this Summer?

Ike · Since 12 Mar 2008 216 Posts Central Oregon Stoked

I have been working in Hood River the last few weeks and getting out to kite when conditions permit but it seems like the wind isnt showing up that regularly. Maybe it is just ignorance on my part but I was under the impression that the Gorge winds were a little more consistent during the summer?

kyle.vh · Since 11 Jul 2007 713 Posts city of angels Addicted

I don't know dude, seems like there's been wind 9 out of every 10 days or more.
Gman, haven't you kited like 25 days in a row?
I'd say, if HR isn't blowing, and it usually is, just drive the Gorge and pull over. I've been out a Viento recently when HR was light.
Do you have a bigger kite/board for lighter stuff?

NateDogg · Sun Jul 27, 08 6:30 pm

Are you sure you're in Hood River?

Ike · Since 12 Mar 2008 216 Posts Central Oregon Stoked

I guess I havent really traveled far from HR, Dont really know the spots as I am not a local but HR seems to be about 50/50 for me this summer. Kites 7,10,13 at 175 lbs should keep me going in most gorge winds I would think

kyle.vh · Since 11 Jul 2007 713 Posts city of angels Addicted

I wasn't trying to pick on you about kites, just thought you might have been missing light wind sessions: that's a fine quiver.
I'd be surprised if there was more than one day this month where there weren't whitecaps in the Gorge, somewhere.
I learned the launches just by driving the Gorge, and looking for whitecaps or kites. Talk to people at the launches, everyone's nice. Even windsurfers offer to launch my kite! If you're in HR and there's no wind, check the stevenson cam to see if you can go there.
Then look west up the river: any potential? Try Viento state park. If it looks lame to the west, drive east and ye shall be rewarded. Lyle, secret spot, the dalles, plus there's a few state parks before you hit the dalles. Damn, if you're in HR you can go farther east, too, but I have no info on that.
On rare, superhot days (100F), the gorge can get lame, then try SI, or Jones beach.

Ike · Since 12 Mar 2008 216 Posts Central Oregon Stoked

No offense taken.
There were some lighter days that I just didnt want to bother slogging around, I am probably just being to picky, I will try to look further east and west when not lining up in HR.

forrest · Mon Jul 28, 08 8:33 am

Hey Ike, Some days are better than others. We've been having a lot of frontal/shortwave based days lately. The wind can be very punchy. The best days are the ones that start slow and build IMHO.

Moto · Since 03 Sep 2006 2698 Posts Still a gojo pimp! Moto Mouth

DROCK999 · Since 31 May 2007 852 Posts Left Coast Opinionated

I'm going to say that the winds havent been what they usually are. Usually July has some of the most consistent winds and while July has been a windy month it has been gusty with big ranges between the gusts and the luls, so while it has been very windy for most of the summer there have definitely been some up/down days on the river.

newgirl · Since 03 Sep 2006 16 Posts Beaverton

don't feel too bad, I've been having hit or miss lessons in HR all summer due to unridable winds

h2olm · Since 07 Jun 2006 124 Posts Stoked

Supposedly, La Nina is having a great affect on our winds this season. It has kept the North Pacific High pressure system away from our coast which makes for gusty and inconsistent winds. We need the NPH to our west and the desrt low to our east for better winds. Hopefully, the NPH will return soon.

undertow · Since 15 Feb 2008 371 Posts BeaversBurg Obsessed

Do the NPH dance Surprised

Spike · Since 13 May 2007 1414 Posts Alameda Spelling Expert

will the NPH stay? Lets find out...

Ike · Since 12 Mar 2008 216 Posts Central Oregon Stoked

I cant complain too much, anything is better than what I get back home. Had a great session yesterday afternoon, started getting my load and pop figured out.

Rico · Since 13 Mar 2005 1219 Posts Vancouver Photographer

Gorge, winds, and consistent do not go together Wink

But they are dependable if you know where to go.

forrest · Fri Aug 01, 08 7:52 am

Yea, yesterday was decent. Was having fun on my stupid little skimboard slider I made.

chanson · Since 31 Jan 2006 1873 Posts WISCONSIN Chimey