(2)--Haystack Mtn, Uintas. SLed

What a great day to get out of the valley inversion.
Sunny and warm, even at 10,000 ft
The snow has set up for exploring.
soft layer on top, but solid base.
Early in the day, we found softies on the small lakes of the Uinta's,
we could carve around, there were no tracks, since the last storm, weeks ago.
Climbing steep stuff through the trees was effortless.
The scenery was amazing, we couldn't quit stopping, to take in the view.
We may have found a kite spot on the north side of Haystack Mtn.
Cut and paste this link and check it out on google earth...

http://goo.gl/9rPf5

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=40.65165,-110.99309&ll=40.65165,-110.99309&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1

5--Skyline 17M

The winds were super light when we arrived,
but got better as the day went on.
Another Zephyr day, I rode mine at first.
but user error, and the deflate valve let go.
Glad I was close, and it was hard packed.
When I got back, I just rode the new Zeph after Brian came in.
Found some powder on lower Bosco and mainly played there.

4--Skyline 10M C4

The winds were cranking, and it was poor visibility,
but the forecast was looking like it would clear, it never really did.
The new snow was nice, but super narley winds.
Not a lot of fun, but the C4 is a great gust buster.
The foils were hating it. ('11 Frenzy looked pretty good in the crap)
Went to the bar for a couple of hours for the band,
then back to windzup to crash.

3--Skyline 17M

Working down south gave me excellent reason to hit Skyline.
I stopped at Windzup and picked up Brian's new '11 Zephyr.
Rode it back to back with Patrick to see the difference.
Number 1 is the new Boston Valve for inflation, killer idea, great for cold.
other than that the new bar feels nicer and has more thro
Also the kite fluttered a little more, but feels the same.
The snow was half soft, half crusty, on Bosco and the west ridge.

2--12M Makena, Big Beach

Crazy shit going on here in Maui. It rained so hard last night,
that lots of streets were closed, businesses flooded,
knocked out cable, which is our internet.
The radio advised not to go in the water because of all the overflow from septic tanks and wash out from the cattle fields above Kihei.
It was red water around the beaches, from all the dirt washed down the mountain.
But,, as it cleared late in the day we headed to Makena,
Big Beach, and it was clean like normal.
I rigged the 12M Catalyst for it's virgin run.
Underpowered is not the way to deflower a new kite.
But felt very stable and very easy to use.

1-- 10M Kihei

Who'da thunk the first kite day of 2011 would be water?
Had to use up miles or loose 'em. Maui it is...
Not the best forecast, and the waves are on the north side.
But still got to kite in boardshorts in January.
Rigging at the Maui Sunset condos, is like rigging on a golf course.
The south winds were pre frontal, not usual trade winds.
Somewhat choppy, some small wind swell, but I want to do real waves.
It may not happen the whole trip,
so I'll just have fun with what is available.

1/2/10 Most excellent day sledding

Matt and I kinda thought about taking our kites.
Some days are meant for burning gas.
Some serious powder stashes in the trees above the Mill Hollow trail,
over to Lake Creek.
There was light wind at LC, but didn't feel like we missed any kiting.
Turn after turn in deep un cut POW.
No stucks all day, most excellent.
I messed with the clutch, clickers, and really felt the extra power when needed.
Matt left his brakes on and started a fire inside, we threw snow on it before any major damage.
Next post should be written in board shorts, from MAUI!