Easter in Oregon – April 10-12

Pete in Joe Bob's on the Clackamas

The usual suspects (and some new ones) made their way to Oregon to dust off kayaks and paddles. The rivers: the Clackamas (a bit higher than two years ago, much of the smaller features and Bob’s were washed out but Joe Bob’s worked), the Molalla, a new run in narrow basalt canyons with some fun drops (should take a lower put-in next time) and the White Salmon at relaxing low flow (2.75, but unfortunately a big fat log in Husum Falls).

Its spring in OR. Maple trees bloom in yellow and the first Balsam Roots show. Bagby Hotsprings still snowed in, but of course excellent! Star gazing at our campsite on the Klickitat and turkeys gobbling at night.


Spring is here


Molalla - Three bears run


Basalt pillar canyons








Maytag on the White Salmon

Paragliding (waiting?) Thanksgiving in Oregon - October 10-13, 2008

Oregon road trip over Thanksgiving weekend. We checked out the central Washington paragliding sites Saddle Mountain and the Silos on Friday, but the only wing in the air was Ryan’s kite (until after some spectacular acro one of the steering lines broke). Very strong N gusting to 45 km/h.

Still blown out at Skull Hollow (good camping near Smith Rocks) on Saturday, so we did some shopping in Bend and climbing at Smith – Andrew and Pete easily remembering how to lead on the big bucket holds on Zebra Wall and the climbing didn’t even bother my shoulder.

Sunday was the day to fly! Wade showed us first the way up to Juniper Ridge’s south-facing launch, but it was still too windy from the N. On we went to Pine Ridge and were rewarded with spectacular ridge soaring. This site is north facing, just north of the Skull Hollow camp site and a 300 ft hike-up. After all the hiking everybody was ready for the excellent turkey dinner, prepared by Gab, Brian, Ryan, their significant others and the Metolius crew.

Monday it finally warmed up and the winds had died. Back to Juniper Ridge with Tim who showed us how the Oregonians ridge soar at Pine yesterday. Pete found good lift, tricking him and Andrew into looking for more – after lots of scratching (Andrew set a new record) they got to practice their side hill landing. The rest of the crew was satisfied with extended sledders and avoided the side hill. Andrei got one more flight than everybody else (to retrieve his GPS from launch). After a few hikes up we went back to Pine Ridge, but at 4 PM even the locals gave up hope and left.

Great weekend in the sun, excellent party and a taste of Central Oregon air that makes us want to come back for more!



Parawaiting at the Silos


Wind 45 km/h. Pete’s hair makes a good windmeter too!


Para-photoshopping. Click for full image.


Andrew landing, the Sisters in the background


Pilot and Smith Rocks


Bucket holds on Zebra Wall

Chasing Easter Bunnies in Oregon, April 6-9

Finally revived the traditional Easter Trip to OR/WA. The gang: Karen and Ben, Eric, Pete and I. Points of interest: Clackamas – Three Lynx down, at a low 2000 cfs but really fun play level (except for Bob’s). Bagby Hotsprings. Hood River - Dee down (1200 cfs). Pete and I were the only ones who had done this run before and completely forgot an exciting S-turn which sported a head-hunter log necessitating a portage, instead we remembered another drop that in the meantime had washed out. White Salmon – BZ Corner to Husum Falls (3.75). Good fun, but only Eric and Pete braved Husum Falls. Wind River Hotsprings. New for all of us: Tilton (1300 cfs). Excellent run, relaxing low flows, canyon-like feel similar to Lynn Creek, but longer with more drops and bigger lines. Don’t get discouraged by the description of long flats at the start and end – the run is worth it. Although we didn’t encounter any, this run seems to be prone to collecting wood.