82--11M CC

The wind was lighter,
and the snow was heavier,
than yesterday.
But we carved it all up in a few hours
nice rolly hills.
Only room for a few kites.

81--10M CC

Private property east of Dougs parents
19mph avg all day.
not a base, but 3-6" fof mostly soft snow.
Glad I used my rock board.
Second session was the best.

80--10M Skyline

Snowkite Summit had light wind and dismal snow coverage.
I rode for about an hour.
Only minor pain on my knee.
But still only about 75% on the hard pack.
Just did some B&F'n on the flats.

79--10M Skyline

Wind was OK,
What snow there was,
was very hard.
But my knee didn't like being locked into boots and bindings.
Still hurts the next day.
I may only be able to kite in powder,
or maybe skis?

78--DC 13M

On the water in November....WOW.
Pretty good day, A little gusty,
but not as bad as most Rush days.
Last day on water????

77--DC 13M

Nicely powered afternoon.
Shortboard and drysuit.
I sure like the freedom of boardshorts better.

76--SPI 13M

Very light winds, I could barely go upwind.
Would have been a glide day.
Vern went way downwind to the bay houses.
Mat was pulled back in by a jet ski.
Good trip, not great.
With a 5-10 forecast, we are leaving for home early.

75--SPI 9M

Early post frontal gulf downwinder in the "washing machine" surf.
Got off the water just before strong storm wind hit.
2 sessions on Post frontal gusty wind till sunset in the flats.
Excellent day of fun with Mat, not only going upwind for the first time,
but going toeside for good distance.
Brent also able to go upwind for the first time.
Lots of jumps, spins, and speed.
Great day.

74--SPI 13M

pretty light winds mainly just staying even.

73--SPI 13M

Jon where are you?
After a no wind day the first day here.
still good Tequila, Tezon, and Brew Pub dinner)
we were the first ones on the water. Off shore was wierd.
Not very powered but stayed upwind with no problem.
Good to get on the water.
Shots and dinner at Daddy's.

72--DC 13M

Another nice fall afternoon.
very powered most of the afternoon.
Enough to be on small board again.
Good warmup for SPI.

71--DC 11M

Plenty of power for 11M and shortobard.
Lots of kiters out.
I didn't get there till almost 3:00.

70--DC 13M

Bonus day for Utah kiting in Oct.
Really good wind all afternoon.
Could have been on 11M
Knee felt strong, did spins and jumps
without feeling bad.
Another few days before SPI would be great.

69--PV 13M

We were heading to Willard,
but it looked to light,
So we took a right and went to PV
and got few gusty rides.

68--Willard 9M

When we got there, we thought we would be schlogin.
We rigged 13M.
As we got our gear on, it was apparant it was stronger,
We rigged 9M.
It was some great surf--kiting.
Pretty good swell, definitaly the best of the year for me.
We rode for a few hours until the storm got to close.
Great day at Willard.

67--PV 13M

A few good powered rides.
But ended quickly.
F$%&n PV

66--PV 13M

Barely a counter.
Only a few rides
and had to keep walking back upwind.

65--Willard 11M, 9M

When Doug and I arrivved at 9:00,it was 13M.
Doug got some 13M rides,
but by the time I streached, put brace on,
and narrowed the stance on my JL and Recoil,
It was 11M for me.
Good riding till 1:00.
Jumps don't hurt any more, yea...
As we were driving out, Jason arrived.
I took Doug home and went back.
Rigged 9M but it didn't hold air.
Then watched the storm pound into shore.

64-ULSSB 13M

Great couple of sessions.
Big day for me,,
first day I didn't limp out of the water since injury in early July.
Couple of rotations and mini jumps.
Amazing how the little things can mean so much again.

63--PV 13M

One of those great days at PV.
Two sessions.
Almost rigged my 11M.
Was wishing for smaller board.
Rode with stance a little closer on second session.
Felt excelent on the knee.
May even start jumps a little next time.
Clearing day after frontal passage,
when high pressure is builing, no clouds.
Almost rigged my 11M.
Was wishing for smaller board.
Still blowing when we left.

62--ULSSB 11M

I really like the setup at South Sandy
rode for quite a bit longer than last time.
I had to really concentrate on just manuvering around the waves,
cause any little chop hop would hurt.
Went out second, lighter session, on my surf board.
I need to readjust the position of the straps,
they are way to far back, for such a big board.
Time to start shopping for a kite surf board.
Board did a bounce out, and that was the end of the day
cause of the knee jarring.
Made decision I can kite a couple times a week,
but not going to gorge and take chance of more injury.
first time in many years I have not had a gorge trip.

61--DC 13M

Watched the up and down wind most of the day.
Lots of kiters out, but not worth more injury.
But after most left, at 4, It got really smooth.
I had to go for a ride.
Should have rigged 11M.
To hard to just 'mow the lawn"
Did a little soft jump, but to much pain,
I had to get off the water.
Brian took my kite, and I walked it off.
Then I went for another ride, another soft jump, another end of session.
Rode for a little over a half hour total. Nice to get wet.
Maybe the next time, I'll use smaller kite and my surfboard, so I can't jump.

60--ULLB 11M 13M

The riding was OK,
But not worth the knee injury.
Hope this isn't my last blog entry for a long time.

59--ULLB 13M

The closed freeway by centerville,
kept us from getting to ULLB as early as we wanted.
When we finally got there,
Doug Vern and I hurried and rigged before another storm cloud got big over Payson.
We rode in light wind till the big cloud killed it.
After the cloud over Payson broke up,
We rode for another short session.
Overall very light, but worth the long drive.

58--Yuba 13M

Herudurra at Windzup last night,
made for a slow start.
We got to Yuba around 9:00.
Rigged quick and got about an hour of smooth SE.
The wind started to back off,
and the crowds to show up.
To crowded to stay around to see if the afternoon
would be as windy as forcast.

57--Sherman Island-6 13M 11M

Another late afternoon butta session,
worked on big air with kiteloop transition.
Jumps are big enough,
to see who is in the parking lot. WOW

56--Sherman Island-5 13M

No wind early, we drove to Golden Gate Bride Park then back for a Very nice, smooth evening session. easy to do big airs, and big rotations. Super fun...

55--Sherman Island-4 9M 11M

Early session was underpowered
and choppy flood tide.
Middle session was great power
Jon and Myself alone at times.
Late session slightly op'ed
big floaty jumps, were fun.
Tequila shots at sunset.

54--Sherman Island-3 9M

Nice powered session,
fun swell.

53--Sherman Island-2 9M

Two nicelhy powered sessions.
SI gives up early powered sessions,
then lightens up,
then gives up the late afternoon goods again.
Rode JL board today,
not sure why I waited so long to get this board,
So smooth and surfy..

52--Sherman Island-1 13M

The early drive got us on the water at 5:00
Such smooth and powerfull wind.
Fun and easy to do moves and jumps.
First session under out belt,
that's always a good thing on a trip.

51--ULLB 11M

The slow 2 hour drive in rush hour traffic
was just barely offset by the 11M conditions.
Lost my board on the first swell carve.
Mark got it for me, cause of how hard it is to drag in drysuit.
Ended up being conservative the rest of the session.
gonna use the leash when wearing drysuit,
especially at ULLB.
Wish I would have had my new JL,
Won't be here till next week.

50--Rush 13M

Rode SE/SW/SE/SW for the first session.
Rode NW/N for the seccond session
Both sessions, powered enough to stay up wind easy,
But not powered enough to do much.

49--Rush 13M

Better than a skunk.
Light enough wind,
that I wouldn't have gone out any where but Rush.
Stand in the lulls.
But over all, lightly powered most of the day.
joined by Bob and John Guay.

48-ULLB 9M

Working down south,
Got to lake late,
shorts yesterday,
drysuit today.
Probably should have been on 11M.
Short but sweet session.

47--Rush 11M

Where did all the water go?????
Long way out to the shallow liquid.(I guess it's water?)
We rode gusty winds till the microburst looking thing to the south approached,
Then we all got off the water as it went by.
The session after that was smoooth and just right 11M
Jake and I were having fun hooting each other on.
Water very shallow for how big we were going.
Kinda like kiting on hard snow,
gotta be on top of it, no mistakes.
Most of us got bit by little bugs in our hair.
Scratching my head all the way home....

46--Maui-6 11M

They rented the JL surfboard out,
even though I reserved it, ahole's.

The wind was lighter than the previous days,
but perfectly powered 11.
Smoother water was easy on the body,
and easy to do spins and rotations,
I was able to stay out lots longer today,
the last wind day of the trip.
Mohalo, Maui...Awesome...

45--Maui-5 9M

Finally a lighter wind day,
funny concidering 9M a lighter day....
The water smoothed off some and was great.

A couple of hours wasn't enough today.
We had to get Cassie from airport.

Tomorow may be the last wind day.
Put my name on a Jimmy Lewis 5'8" surfboard to ride tomorrow.
Should be good for some laughs..

44--Maui-4 7M

Deja Vue....
3 day in a row on 7M.
Never happened to me before,
Probably never happen again.
Kinda crowded today, weekend kiter's out.
Thinking about JL surf demo tomorrow.
Wind is forecast to get lighter he next few days.

43--Maui-3 7M

Another killer 7M day. Bigger wind waves. High wind, = choppy water. My legs are getting hammered. I need to practice toesied on my bad side, so I can ride the waves, facing them.

Late afternoon narrow road drive on northwest Maui.
Nice views and beaches.

42--Maui-2 7M

7M was light at the start, for about 15 min. Then for the next few hours, it was liquid heaven. Wifey took videos during the light start. Then I was nicely powered all the time. Went to rent JL board, but it had thin surf board style pads. My Recoil works fine, next time I'll bring my JL.

41--Maui-1 9M

Opened the beach at 11:00 on 9M.
So much fun playing and jump on small waves.
Saw 3 turtles.
Only kited till 1:00
when it picked up and would have had to rig 7M
Start the trip not over doing it with wifey to gain points.
We went to Pi'ai fish market for late lunch again, so dam good.
May rent a Jimmy Lewis tomorrow.
My board is good, but JL would be "magic" in these conditions.

Maui-1

First thing we did after gettig rental,
was check out kite beach.
Very east and big hole by the beach.
Most kiters werc coming in,
and having a hard time getting in.
We bailed, and went to Pi'ai fish market, YUM
Then checked into room, got groceries and crashed.
long day traveling..

40--Rush 11M

Thought it would be great SE early.
It was when I arrved, rigged 11M,
Then it backed off, for hours.
Finally came up enough for a fun, powered session.
Some big gusts, some lulls, but fun stuff.
Then it died, then it started blowing dust,
then storm clouds, then packed up and left.
Jesse gave us a scare, getting lofted in a gust jump,
then droping straight down, but he is OK.

39--Skyline 13M

Snowagogo was fun BBQ with friends.
Wind was light, the snow never softened up.
I even tried skis. (They are already back in storage.)
Temps hovered around freezing all afternoon.
The latest session was the softest, and best session.
Hurredura party at Windzup.
Sled exploring, north of Skyline on Sunday.
New options were found.
Bye, Bye, best snowkiting year ever....

38--Rush 7M

Again only one kite all day..
If people had 7m,that is what they rode.
9M worked, if that was the lowest.
Nicely powered all day.
Even when the freight train (48mph) gust hit.
Fun how fast the kite is.
Easy to get scary high on jumps.
And scary fast on speed runs.
The distance on chop hops, felt endless.
Only the 3rd time in 2 years I've used the 7M.
Not a good investment, so far. $200/use.
Good warm up for the high winds in Maui.

37--10M Heber Mountain

Brian, Heather joined me.
We rode sleds out of Lake Creek, where it was blowing good.
They wanted to put some miles on the sleds before end of year,
in case they need work over summer.
We rode appx 70 mi, looking for spots,
but ended back where we started to kite.
Wind had backed off a little by 4:00,
but still enough for couple of hours of good rides on soft snow,
with a few windblown patches.
This is the place on high pressure building, wind.
Or as Craig calls it "Lowe effect"

36--Rush 9M

Only rigged one kite all day,
that is how consistant it was.
Mostly rode upwind in the smooth water.
A little rusty on the water,
but thing came around later in the day.
big boosting with Jeff.
Started getting overpowered around 6.
Came in to rig 7M, but called it a day instead.
Thin layer under drysuit, no gloves or booties, nice.

35--10M Mill Hollow, Curant Creek Intersection

We rode sleds 8 Miles from Lake Creek Trailhead, east of Heber,
To Mill Hollow, Curant Creek Intersection. 9750 ft,
with 10,200 ft ridges around us.
Lots of draws and drop offs to play on.
Long canyon facing WNW to funnel the wind to the area.
Very smooth 18 to 20mph wind when we arrived, around 3:00.
Even getting familiar with the Manta, nice kite, no pop.
We kited till sunset.
People would pay big bucks for this,
if you could guarantee the conditions.
+40° 24' 56.28", -111° 10' 43.04"

34--Skyline 11M

Working down south,
picked up Brian and we headed to Skyline.
The snow was deep and soft.
The wind was gusty punchy storm wind.
Stayed at Brian's and we played Wii.

33--Lightning Ridge 10M

Matt and I rode sleds to an area that is like Strawbs on steroids,
and at upper elevations to get the light south winds, like Skyline.
The spot is east of Heber, north of Chicken Creek.
Snow conditions were good, and lots of it.
We could grind on the roof of a building up there. (but we didn't)
We cut up the powder in one spot,
Then drove to another and rode till it died.
Parked at the top of Woodland,
but it's just as close from Strawbs.

32--Strawbs 13M

Matt and I rigged at Viewpoint.
We were overpowered
and thought we would ride it for a few,
then if it kept strong, we would rig down.
Instead we ripped upwind to the crowd at CC.
Then did downwinder to easch island,
then back to Dreamscape.
The wind was good, terain great,
but the snow was slowly going to crap.
Fun day.

31--Rush 13M

Was fun to be back on the water.
Mostly on the 146 Misfit (mini Glide)
but was great that I got some rides on the Recoil
The Edge has more grunt than last years Sports,
Easier to do tricks in lighter wind.
Meeting with Rush Randy went well.

30--Duchesne Ridge 11M

Matt, Jake, Brian, Rob and Myself,
Sledded to this wide open spot.
+40° 28' 53.76", -111° 2' 57.12"
There was 4+ inches of light powder.
Great sledding, but very light wind. (as predicted)
We all took turns on Rob's 11m 09 prototype Frenzy,
on the squall wind that proceded a small storm.
Then we had whiteout conditions for a while.
We had to use the GPS to find our way back to the road.
Great day, this is why I bought the Skidoo...

29--Strawbs 11M

I didn't go to the right area. Chicken Creek.
Snow was sticky, and the wind just kept getting lighter.
Reports came in of better conditions at the east side.
SHIT

28--Strawbs 9M 13M

Waited for cement to soften,
When it did, is was hollow, at Chicken Creek.
Did second session on coop creek
better wind, but snow never softened up.

27--Monte 11M,13M

Chasta called and we decided to go to Monte.
We rode farther west than I have ever gone before.
Almost to the pine tree line.
As the storm came closer, the wind got very gusty.
Chasta went back to see if his wife was there.
Titaua, his friend, was getting overpowered, and lost her kite.
I stopped it, then rode to my sled and then towed her back.
Met up with Matt, Chasta and family, and a family from California.
We all rode the hills until the wind switched and died.
I made it back to my sled, and again towed half the kiters back to the car.
Did one more session on North wind, but it died and we walked back,
to my sled again, for the last of the kiting, and towing.

As always, I'm in the background, they don"t want to promote inflatables on snow.

Film US
by chastaman

26-Dike Hills 13M

Thursday night, we sledded a moonlit trail canyon
then tequila, Wii

We sledded 8 mi in to perfect hill for me, with flats for Irv.
snow was hard, with thin crust over 8 in soft stuff.

Irv did good, but still out of shape from surgery (and smokes)

Rob said I'm using to much "pop" on take off. The hill was perfect to practice low, long glides. Really got the feel on one. 4 kite redirects in the air, with soft landing. Others were good, not great.

Irv got another small session, and did really good.

25--Strawbs 11M

We are so lucky to have the best snowkiting
location in the world in our back yard.
Kiting the back country with Rob and Chasta
as they film, is a great experience.
Riding and learning from the best in the world.
35 mi downwinder into the east hills will be unforgettable.
Chasta, Rob, Billy and Jake all flying off the steeps.
Dinner with Rob and Chasta was hilarious.

As always, I'm in the background, they don"t want to promote inflatables on snow.

Film US
by chastaman

24--Strawbs 13M

After getting beatup sledding with Bob yesterday.
I only had enough for 20mi (max 36.7mph) on nice snow.
Lots of kiters, Chasta back in town.
Followed him and Rob to the oter side and back.
The wind got stronger as I got weaker.
Decided to save some energy for tomorrow.

23--Strawbs 13M

Wind was lighter,
snow was sticky.
Doug hurt his neck,
so we called it an early day.

22--Strawbs 13M

After yesterday, a late start was great.
Rigged 11M but wasn't as much as I wanted.
Rigged 13m, had a minor twist in lines,
and lost the kite when untangeling.
Chased it down, then finally had a great sesion.
Downwinder to ladders with Rob, Matt, Elisha.
The hill east of cc east is awsome.
Getting better glides, learned lots the last few days.
Fun in the gravel pit befor calling it a day.
Lots of fun kiting with Rob.

21--Strawbs 13M

Matt, Whit, Rob Jon and I went to the east side if CC east on the hills for great snow and gliding. Rod suggested we do a down winder. Sounded like a great idea and we drove Robs car the the far end of Soldier Creek road. The best down winder on snow I've ever done. The terrain on the reservoir is fun, but the east side is just spectacular. The snow was hard in spots, but mostly softies on top. As the sun started going down and we headed out, we went to far away from the wind and had to work our way back up wind to get out. Almost getting stuck away from the road. We had to kite through the cabins to get back in very light wind. An angel gust finally blew us back to the road for a short hike. Top 5 kiting day.

Horoscopes
March 05, 2008
Leo (7/23-8/22)
Some people want everything to come to them in life as easily as possible -- but not you! Today, especially, you are in the mood for a unique challenge. It's a good thing, too, because you are sure going to get one! An invitation is coming your way, and you shouldn't hesitate to say 'yes.' When a goal is too easy to attain, it is not very fulfilling. Embrace today's challenge with everything you've got. Sure, it could tire you out by the end of the day, but it will also reward your ego.

20-Strawbs 11M

We reached Daniels Summit to sunshine and nice wind.
Lots of kites at Strawberry River, but
the hard pack and snowmobile tracks looked unappealing,
so we went to Chicken Creek,
11M with powder stashes in the lee side of the terrain.
Second sunset session of the weekend.

Noah and I ate at PF Chang then soaked off the weekend in the hot tub.
Great SKM weekend.

19--Richardson Flats 11M

Sunday, Strawberry was calling, I had to do it.
But as I was driving up there, I passed Doug, turned around,
he said it was such a blizzard that he couldn't even find the parking lot.
We headed back to Richardson and rode 11M on the hills there.
Surprisingly good/fun terrain.
Noah from Montana really wanted to kite Strawbs.
After a full session at PC, we packed up with dreams of a great sunset session.

18--Skyline 11M Edge

Saturday started with 11M gusty wind,
and the snow had hardened up overnight.

New 11m edge, lost air on the ridge,
and I walked back,
1 pump hose had hole, easy to fix
but tired from walk, and missed my race.

Free riding wasn't as fun as the day before,
but that made for a killer day for racing.
the course wasn't crowded with non racers, like last year.
Windy, yet challenging conditions made for great racing.
Many racers would watch the races between there heats instead of free riding.
Lots of spectators watching the head to head races.
Just as the last trophy was handed out, the storm moved in,
with the strong winds that were predicted,
but everyone had there fill of kiting,
and headed off the mountain for dinner and partying.
Tequila and Wii, no bar.

17--Skyline 13M

Friday was sunny and windy for 13M kites,
with lots of kiter's on the hill.
Snow conditions were like soft groomers at the resort.
The sunset session was fantastic.
Tequila party at Windzup.

16--Skyline 13M

I was working Down South.
No wind in the forecast.

But, ended up with good wind and good snow conditions.
Met Tam from Tahiti.
10+ kiters on hill, in town for SKM.

15--Strawbs 13M

Strawbs was great again Sunday.
Very powered on 13M, and the snow was in petty good condition,
in many spots you could find big powder stashes.
The halfpipes and rolling hills at Chicken Creek West/North side.
are so much fun, what a place.
I think every kiter I saw there, had windsurf background.

14--Grace hills 13M

Driving to Soda Springs, I found small spot that had 15mph wind in a venturi, just past Grace turnoff to Soda. Kited a field with some depressions and hills, for an hour before it died. Now going sledding with Irv. Then Herrurdura.....

13--Sulphields 13M

Doug and I headed to Sulphur for some field kiting.
The wind was nonexistent for the first hour there.
Then picked up for a little over an hour
of great smooth corn snow conditions.
Then it died, we waited,
then caught the last gust to get back where we started.
The Skidoo sure is nice for back country kiting.