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isobars
Joined: 12 Dec 1999 Posts: 20935
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Posted: Wed Jul 01, 2015 3:07 pm Post subject: |
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windfind wrote: | In normal times a forecast for a heat wave in the Gorge means pretty zero to dismal winds until the heat breaks and we see a marine surge. |
OR ... it can light Clatskenie up like a Christmas tree, if Astoria stays cool. I've seen Jones Beach/Nuke Alley blow HARD for 10 straight days in midsummer (especially July and August) some years, when Hood River is baking in triple digit doldrums, Jones Beach tops out in the 80s, and Astoria top in the 70s. That boils down to being on 5.2s late AM, 4.2s by mid PM, and 3.2s from suppertime 'til after 9 PM, in some of the steadiest winds I've ever seen on the Columbia. It also means perfect camping temps ... lows in the 50s, while they're in the 70s and 80s in the corridor ... especially helpful when sailing and eating chew up so much of the 24 hours available each day.
Bonus: you only have to rig each sail once, then derig it when the Gorge cools down and starts to blow again. How many places in or near the Gorge can we just sleep, eat, and sail beside a pile of small rigged sails for 5-8-10 days on end just by paying attention to some key checkpoints such as Astoria, Portland, HR, etc.? |
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brettn
Joined: 22 Nov 2000 Posts: 114
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Posted: Thu Jul 02, 2015 11:14 am Post subject: |
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Does a late-PM high tide, going from 1 foot to 8 feet make Jones unrideable? Or if you're powered is it a non-issue. |
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johnl
Joined: 05 Jun 1994 Posts: 1330 Location: Hood River OR
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Posted: Thu Jul 02, 2015 12:15 pm Post subject: |
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kevinkan wrote: | Rolled in yesterday at 6:30pm and got a sunset sesh at the hatch. Super gusty/holey and very warm. I had a great time. Sailed in boardshorts on 4.4/85. The puffs were really nice. A nice treat after an 11 hour drive. Only about five others out. Very stoked to be back in the gorge! |
The water is 71 degrees. It usually doesn't get to that temp till August. So it will interesting to see how warm it gets! Also curious what effect if any it will have the wind this summer. |
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cascade747
Joined: 16 Jul 2009 Posts: 16
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Posted: Fri Jul 03, 2015 9:52 am Post subject: Jones |
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Jones has been blowing for the last couple of Months except for a few days. The sensor is located on a fence in the river and extremely accurate, direction sometimes off due to osprey nest nearby. Flood tide can be difficult and very annoying. We usually avoid within 2 hours of flood. Please note camping has not been allowed for a few years now. Most of the land is private and camping by dirt bikers (and some homeless) with associated noise and trash left, made the locals seek to close the beach completely. It was only thru the diligence, diplomacy, and building a good relationship with the locals, that the kiteboarding community (Nate, Air Pirates) was able to keep the site open to wind sports. Good stewardship is important. |
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isobars
Joined: 12 Dec 1999 Posts: 20935
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Posted: Fri Jul 03, 2015 1:39 pm Post subject: Re: Jones |
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That's great that public input kept the place open; it has been a Godsend for decades when the Gorge overheated and Astoria stayed cool, but one of its best features was the camping, boosted then by the nearby Crown Restaurant's good food and huge servings. I'm not surprised about the lost camping; it has always been dangerous there overnight due to the locals, and I guess it boiled over.
And, yes, a flood tide turned the main channel into Pinch City and flattened out its meager swell, but slalom boards and/or bigger fins reduced the hassle, as did launching at Nuclear Alley across the river. |
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