In early May I was able to find the famous Hood River wave, under the kind mentoring of Kelly Cooper and Tim O'Donnell, who were up scouting the situation. Both are known to relish these kinds of days.
Releasing at 3600' near the Dog Bowl, I was able to climb and work my way south using the ridge and thermals. Kelly & Tim directed me to the location and altitude where they connected with this marvelous force of nature.
South of Parkdale, near the "S Turns" I climbed to 6,000' and the bumpiness of thermals abated, and that smooth, cradling wave swept me up at between 3-6 knots. I joined a "race track" between the S-turns of Highway 35, just east of Cooper Spur, north to Cathedral Ridge...the only racing involved was for altitude....no reason to speed when you're in tremendous lift.
Such a sweet day!
(The title is a tip of the hat to the Wizard of Oz, "Lions & tigers & bears...oh my!")
