kiting the gorge mid-august?

[stone]

Got an invite to visit friends in Portland mid-august--thinking of going if I can also kite the gorge. Reading what's on nwkite.com, looks like the HR sandbar's a good spot for a first-timer, and it should be blowing. Anything else I should know? Good places to stay or camp near HR? I already know unwatched stuff tends to disappear from the event site grass (this year)... any other places to launch if you've only got one or two weekdays to kite?

[thelaserman]

theres a 24doller a night hostel directly over the bridge from the event site. It was pretty decent

[shred_da_gorge]

Mid-August can be tricky as heat waves cause easterlies, but this year has been cooler than usual (just like here). Check http://thegorgeismygym.com for Temira's forecasts. The Event Site or the spit (down past the gas station and Windwing) would be the place to go; launch from there and head west on the river where it's less crowded. If you're bound to Portland then Sauvie Island is close. Check out http://www.nwkite.com/guides. For easterlies, Rooster Rock or Stevenson, WA, but the latter is a tricky launch not for beginners.

If you're kiting in Hood River don't go all the way over to the Washington side, the bluffs create a wind shadow. Sometimes Mosier (5 miles east) will blow when Hood River is light.

Housing can be tricky in the on-season. Prater's Motel may be affordable. My buddy Dave runs http://vineyardviewbnb.com and can show you a good time, though tends to book up. Camping would be at Tucker or Memaloose, though neither are close to town.

Have fun!

[stone]

Thanks shredman, any thoughts on Jones?

Gonna hit Lassen (for non-kiting foo) on the way up, and take the wind as it comes.

[OliverG]

Tucker is a nice campground and getting a spot anytime Monday-Wednesday should be OK, might start to fill up Thursday and almost certainly Fri. and Sat. It's 5 miles south of Hood River town, but it's nice drive, you pass grocery shopping, and the only noise is the river - no traffic or trains.

[mighty]

Thanks shredman, any thoughts on Jones?

Gonna hit Lassen (for non-kiting foo) on the way up, and take the wind as it comes.

Jones is a gem. The sensor reads light. Big nice, long beach and it's uncrowded. It's been consistently good for a while now.

[ok2p?]

Jones is great except the barge traffic is heavy, and check into it but I think you can camp there I live about 30 min away so never thought of camping out. Also Jones has nothing around it so after hours fun is limited to drunk hicks running around on 4 wheelers " I will try to stay clear of your lines when on beach" Haha. As for Sauvie Island it hard to count on it being a viable option hardly windy maybe 1 day a week ride worthy. I say the gorge or Jones is the way to go. Hope you enjoy Oregon!