Yale Reservoir

quenyaistar · Since 21 Oct 2011 416 Posts Cougar, WA Obsessed

My wind meter said 10 mph to 30 mph at Yale Boat Launch today, clear and cold.

quenyaistar · Since 21 Oct 2011 416 Posts Cougar, WA Obsessed

10-25 mph today. It has been blowing non-stop for 2 days now.

J_Matic · Since 14 Oct 2011 158 Posts InDaHo Stoked

FACKIN' DO IT

AND POST PICS

quenyaistar · Since 21 Oct 2011 416 Posts Cougar, WA Obsessed

I wish I could, but I am not taking lessons till march. It has actually been to windy to fly my trainer kite. I tried but the 30 gusts just ripped my kite away 3 times so I packed it up.

I am paying attention to the wind here at Yale, now that I have decided to be a kiter. Winter so far seems to be mostly north, east, or northeast and gusty. I think between Yale launch and Cougar camground would be pretty sweet out in the channel.

I think south or southwest would be ultimate and less gusty. That has been the smoothest direction for flying my trainer kite so far.

quenyaistar · Since 21 Oct 2011 416 Posts Cougar, WA Obsessed

Yale today between Cougar campground and Beaver Bay campground, east 20-30 mph. Warm sunny day and warm wind as well.

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4907 Posts Portland Unstrapped

take that baby up to the plains of abraham (though you may need to stack a few if its light)

quenyaistar · Since 21 Oct 2011 416 Posts Cougar, WA Obsessed

I will be getting a cheap old snowmobile next winter to do just that.

I have sleded up their a lot back in the day and the plains are surrounded by treeless hills and Mt. St. Helens, should be perfect for gliding Razz

FlyDunes · Since 09 Oct 2007 1034 Posts Aloha XTreme Poster

Yale lake is in a deep valley right? If so the wind will be *messed up*.

quenyaistar · Since 21 Oct 2011 416 Posts Cougar, WA Obsessed

I am a total beginner, but the wind looks solid to me, judging by the rollers and witecaps in the channel. It is a wide as the Columbia gets in the Gorge.

I have a high quality wind meter, and when I was scoping it out today at a point that sticks out into the lake it was solid mid 20's with an occasional dip to 15 or max to 30.

Three 3-4 hour lessons are scheduled for March and I will test it out and report sometime after that. To close for me not to try!

My goal is to be able to carve a directional board up and down those rollers unhooked like I am in a baby halfpipe by the end of next summer Cool

or anywhere else...

quenyaistar · Since 21 Oct 2011 416 Posts Cougar, WA Obsessed

The Lewis River Valley basically goes east to west. It is composed of 3 reservoirs, from west to east they are Merwin, Yale, and Swift. Merwin and Swift are east to west, BUT Yale at the west end takes a hard left and goes north, slightly northeast, for at least 3/4 of its length, then it takes a hard right at Beaver Bay and heads east again into Swift.

That is why I think the east wind seems to be the best and most consistent from Beaver Bay to Cougar Campground, and my observations are confirming this. This is the second really good east winder I have seen this winter, the first blew non stop like this for 2 full days.

The best "feeling" wind I have felt with my trainer kite their has been south/south west. The east is definitely gustier and so far stronger. Keep in mind I am on shore near big trees, the channel should be smoother. I fly a 3.5 meter trainer.

Aeolus · Fri Feb 03, 12 5:08 pm

Definitely hit up your local stash...tell us how it goes Laughing

shymac · Since 20 Jul 2005 919 Posts Home Valley, Wa. Bigfoot

I need a T! Alien

matthewgjordan · Since 18 Sep 2014 7 Posts United States Kook

Did you ever get out on any of the Lewis Reservoirs. I'm working up there this summer and was noticing what I also believed to be good wind. Did a search to see if folks were kiting up there and found your post.

quenyaistar · Since 21 Oct 2011 416 Posts Cougar, WA Obsessed

I am not good enough to kite alone and couldn't get any fellow kiters to make the drive so have not kited there yet except for my trainer kite. Yale launch will be the best place to give it a try.

huckit808 · Since 07 Aug 2014 12 Posts

just facking do it.. half the fun of a new spot is the "oh shit" factor launching a kite wondering if the spot is actually rideable. just follow simple rules like if theres something that will kill you upon impact downwind of your launch, find a new launch. Very Happy

haha good luck!