Surfski Knowledge Base

allipp01
08/16/15 #17831

Yesterday, Jill and I decided to head home from the Gorge via Hwy 97 through Yakima then Ellensburg and on home.

Since we were heading that way, I did the paddle from The Hatchery to Bingen. Jill picked me up and we were on our way. A good run certainly, but what we witnessed as we proceeded east was spectacular. From Bingen to Lyle looked pretty good, but it was beyond Lyle, near Doug's Beach State Park, that the waves looked the best. They were lined up nicely, and resembled Swell City on steroids!

waterbornewarrior

08/16/15 #17832

Alan,

I’ve been trying to tell people for years, the Eastern Gorge can be magical. But most folks don’t believe it or can’t grasp it. It’s all good, wide open waves for those of us in the know! I invited everybody and anybody on Friday and only got one taker. We went, it was great.

Don

Reivers Dustin

08/17/15 #17835

What about logistics? We've got a good thing with the reliable put-ins (mostly). When you get up towards McNary Dam, there's some long runs with no escape beaches. Although some of those parks and campsites are really fantastic.

There might be some other hazards to navigation as well. JD and others have scouted Stevenson to Bingen pretty good. I guess the reason for checking other runs would be if the wind/waves were better. Maybe if certain times one run is good and others are bad? How do we figure that out? Them gorge winds can be fickle bastids. I'd rather paddle than drive around looking for mythical conditions. Already done too much of that.

I remember guys driving down to Ft Ebey because once in a blue moon the ocean swell comes all the way through the Juan de Fuca straights. Somebody down there would call and say that the surfers were getting rides and the Bellingham guys would make the drive - usually the waves were gone by the time they got on station.

rd

allipp01
08/17/15 #17837

The wind in the eastern section of the gorge can be better at times, especially when a marine cloud layer covers Stevenson on through White Salmon. This weekend we flirted with clouds the whole time. As the clouds dissipated the wind would kick up, as they filled back in the wind would die. As a matter of fact, the whole group was getting ready for a Friday afternoon Stevenson to Home Valley run, then got a call that it was raining there and windless, so everyone decided to do a Hatchery to Bingen run. Good call!

As for logistics, there are access areas all over, the water is warm, there are windsurfers and kiteboarders everywhere. What could go wrong? Rhetorical question, but naysayers feel free to burst my bubble.

waterbornewarrior
08/17/15 #17838

Alan,

Reivers is probably right, too much uncertainty. Best to stay at home. Geez, I heard a rumor that folks are paddling in Hawaii, on the ocean. Sometimes between islands!! Can you believe that??

But seriously, there are very accurate daily forecasts, real-time gauges up and down the river, super easy put-ins and take-outs, highways and train tracks right along the river the whole way, warm water (this time of year), warmer air… A Davies Dictum (like a Mocke Maxim), is, “Don’t leave good wind for better wind.” But the Kiesling Caveat is, “It’s OK to leave mediocre wind for outstanding wind.” Especially if that wind is only 30 minutes east.

It’s funny how things are relative. Downwinder from Wildcat Cove to Marine Park in the winter? No problem. Class 4 put-ins and take-outs at Drano Lake and White Salmon are the norm. But paddling east of Hood River, WHOA buddy! That’s crazy talk.

Don

paul clement
08/18/15 #17839

Somehow, Yahoo needs to invent a “like” button…

Michael Van Derwater

08/18/15 #17840

Alan, steve and I did our first Rufus run a few weeks back and it was just awesome! And we even missed the windiest part of the day. It was like 12 miles of swell city. Definitely worth the drive on a good forecast. We even thought “maybe the solo should be out here” ocean like in parts. Big rollers!

-Michael

Michael Gregory

08/18/15 #17841

Don, where was that stretch of downwind out east we did a few years ago? I recall we had to drive a while to find that wind but, it was worth it. Mike.

waterbornewarrior

08/18/15 #17842

Oh man Mike, now you’re getting me all fired up. That run was all time!! Lower Lake Umatilla, ending at Sundale Park. Only an hour east of Hood River.

Don

weenie RD - was: Re: [whatcompaddlers] Go east my friends!
Reivers Dustin
08/18/15 #17843

I'm laughin so hard :) I'm totally busted DK.

Just hate the sound of myself being a nag. I owe you a beer, dude.\\rd

waterbornewarrior
08/18/15 #17844

Love ya, RD! Just can’t let people get away with disrespectin’ on my Gorge!

Don

duncanhowat

08/18/15 #17845

Next year we're going east now with Kamp Kim in place. Especially in the earlier months. See ya out there Don D

allipp01
08/19/15 #17846

Duncan, if you and Simon had driven past Lyle to Doug's on your scouting drive Saturday morning, I guarantee we'd have done a downwind paddle there that day! It was that good.