Gary departed first, towing behind Bernies Supercub, one one Echo. I followed a few minutes later. The sky looked promising, with wave type clouds evident in several areas. We joined up and pointed south to explore the ridge and get a feel for how well the ridge was working, just in case we might have to scurry back after excursions to look for wave clouds over the valley. We were in steady lift on the ridge, but not getting much higher that 3,200’ MSL. There were good looking clouds to the east of us, and a gap over the valley between them and the hills to the west. We flew as far south as the notch, finding little scraps of lift here and there, but without the signs of wave-type lift we were hoping to find. A tight 180 and we were heading north again. I was slightly ahead of Gary and when I reached the northern end of the ridge, the lift increased to a steady 4 knots and got much smoother. I turned to the west out into the valley, still climbing steady, now at 6 knots. Definitely wave lift! There was no particular cloud in this area, but the lift was definitely working, and I just kept pointing into the wind, making gentle turns back and forth. By this time, George had joined us.

There was a well-defined wave cloud a short distance to the north, over the Columbia river, and once we climbed through about 5,000’ we headed to it. Gary led the way, “surfing” the front of the cloud. We were able to work it to about 9,000’, and George was able to get to 12,000’ a couple miles farther north into Washington. By this time, we were high enough to see a cloudcap over Mt. Hood, and also over Mt. Adams. Gary said that if it were working this good here, it would definitely be better over Mt. Hood. George wanted to continue north, as it looked real good in that direction. However, he was stalking a diamond altitude badge today, and Gary reminded him that he would have a better chance if we stayed in the wave window, around Mt Hood, allowing us to climb through 18,000. With that, it was decided and the three of us headed south.

A classic wave cloud was parked on the east side of the valley, stretching south along Surveyors Ridge almost all the way to the mountain. The view was incredible. Clouds were still hugging the Cascades to the west, but there was a nice gap right over the West Fork of the Hood River, so there was no trouble maintaining ground reference. To the east, I could see the wave forming like ripples in a stream for a good 30-40 miles downwind.

I was having so much fun at this point I could hardly stand it. I had been waiting for a day like this for quite some time and my opportunity had finally arrived. We soared the front edge of the cloud, right around zero sink, for 15 miles or so to until we reached the northeast flanks of Mt. Hood. The view here was particularly humbling.

This was the moment of truth- a little farther and I would probably get into the lift band, but the terrain rises significantly around the mountain so that even at 8,000’ MSL, you are only about 3,000’ AGL. Fortunately, the elevation drops off to the north so that you have an out if the going gets too rough. Just before I was about to turn back, I reached nirvana at 7,500’ MSL. No doubt about it, I was in the wave and climbing fast! I pointed the nose into the wind and watched breathlessly as the mountain fell away, transformed by altitude from an imposing behemoth to beautiful spectacle. My vario was pegged at 10 kts through 12,000’ dropping off to 8kts then 6 as I climbed through 15,000’ then 18,000. Not having a flight recorder I estimated that I went from 7,500 MSL to 18,000 in less than 15 minutes! Awesome! I let out a couple of whoops, almost overcome by the excitement and sheer beauty of it all.

Well above any clouds, I could see for a hundred miles in any direction. The three of us had been in constant radio contact and George and Gary were excited for me, and checking to make sure I was OK. As docile as the wave may seem while you are in it, it can turn on you at any time and presents significant hazards. This is not a time to get lax. Keep an eye on the ground references and the flow meter.

I spent about two hours at altitude, reaching a height of 22,500. Not bad for my first venture into the Mt. Hood wave! Gary and George both got a little higher, achieving their diamond altitude. Gary went on to fly a 200 km triangle towards Maupin.

October 19, 2001 is a day I will never forget. I can’t wait to do it again, and hopefully share the air with other WVSC members! So get out there and soar.