Ski Snowbasin

Irv and Derick came to town. I had ski gear to test. Vern,Kyle and fried joined us. Strawberry area had not been opened this year but opened for us to enjoy thefresh powder that had been accumulating. I enjoyed the pow turns on the ski gear. Its been over 10 years since I had skis on at a resort. Just like riding a bike. Everyone had a great day. Video to follow later. here is My Tracks,
http://tinyurl.com/aazrxt5
Created by Google My Tracks on Android.
Name: 12/30/2012 8:54am
Activity type: -
Description: -
Total distance: 52.89 km (32.9 mi)
Total time: 6:25:19
Moving time: 5:18:45
Average speed: 8.24 km/h (5.1 mi/h)
Average moving speed: 9.96 km/h (6.2 mi/h)
Max speed: 72.92 km/h (45.3 mi/h)
Average pace: 7.28 min/km (11.7 min/mi)
Average moving pace: 6.03 min/km (9.7 min/mi)
Fastest pace: 0.82 min/km (1.3 min/mi)
Max elevation: 2796 m (9173 ft)
Min elevation: 1927 m (6322 ft)
Elevation gain: 5407 m (17740 ft)
Max grade: 45 %
Min grade: -57 %
Recorded: 12/30/2012 8:54am

Monte Sledding

Wife said she would go for a sled ride. I downloaded My Tracks App for my phone. This is a link to our short ride. http://tinyurl.com/c384uhp

77 CC 11M

Once again the wind came in late, but so much better today. Not much snow, just enough to ride comfortably. Actually pretty lit on the 11M on the ridges. Jumping was so tempting today, but no soft ground under the 6-8" on the ground, one bad landing could end the season. We went to the west side of the road for the first time, fun stuff.

76- Skyline 17M

The winds aloft, 9000ft, 40mph+ Well not at Skyline. Finally at 2:30 the west ridge had enough wind to be happy. The snow is in excellent condition. I tried my new Black Diamond Method, REI garage sale $100+ AT ski boots. The boots are gonna be great, but kiting on skis will only be for backcountry exploring for me. Just do not like the sideways angle. Switched back to snowboard and was glad I did. Mark rode down with me.

Uinta's sledding

Bob has over 700 miles on his sled already, most of it in the Uinta's just north of where we kite. Matt and I spent the day in a lot of little high elevation meadows between the trees with deep powder for some super fun turns and boondocking. The snow at 10'000' is very mid winterish, it doesn't seem like early winter snow. The collection of new gear for the sledding season made a debut. The upgraded tMotion suspension that I spent last weekend installing is awesome. It makes the carving, skiing feeling even easier, and side hilling easy also. The carbon fiber helmet is so much easier on the neck after a day of hard turns, and the Muf Pot cooker, made us a warm lunch, what a treat.

75-- Willard 8M

I like what Jason said about today...."Kiteboarding in December? Burrrr. Excellent session with Marty, Doug, Vern, and Doubek. Kiting in December definitely separates the men(us) from the boys(you guys) haha"

74--11M Willard

I think this the first time windsurfing or kiting that I've been on the water in December. I felt more like late Sept. Plenty warm, and good wind. Doug on 13M, Vern on 12M and I got to deflower my new 11M Edge.(pinhole already)

73--Lake Creek 13M

Most excellent first day snowkiting. Amazed at how good the conditions are up at 10'000ft. Not only good top layer but very stable base, no sage brush holes. None of you guys would or could go, so I called John Guay to ride my second sled. We rode until almost sunset, it was great. I took my old 13M edge in case the kite slides across brush, good size choice today. Covered lots of area with the good winds. Bob was there sledding, Waved at each other from the side hill at Tower Mountain. Jon will never again snow kite the best snow kite spot in Utah, cause he's selling his sled, bummer.

72--Yuba 17M

Fun overnighter in the RV. Disappointing day kiting. Popped my 11M launching, then the wind just died. Jon got caught on the opposite side. Jeff drove around the lake to the rescue. Finally got a ride on the 17M late in the day from the west. For about 15 Min.

71--DC 11M

Water kiting is coming to an end for the year. I'm missing the SPI end of Oct. trip. Maybe if you all came over and we had a kiteqila day, I could make it through this longing for SPI. I rode the surfboard until the wind was to light to stay out. The big kites rode for a little longer, but not long enough to make it worth rigging the Zephyr.

70-- Willard 8M 10M

Late day for Willard. We thought for sure it was like we remember so many times, windy as stink all the way to Smith and Edwards, then no wind. But, as we sat there sure as shit, it started to blow, and blow harder. Doug rigged his 11M, I rigged my cold water body armor. Then Doug rigged his 9M. Back and forth for me with 11M in hand, then 10M and finally settling for the 8M. It was so much fun on that kite and the surfboard in the swell, until I couldn't stay upwind easily and went in and rigged the 10M for another session. YEAH!!

69--PV 11M

Since clear back to the late '80s, I've never been blown off the water at Pineview before. Today was the day, Never even thought about taking a kite smaller than 11M (or 6.5 Sail) Never have I seen real swell on Pineview before today. Around 3:30, I assume the thermal push that enhanced the wind that was already blowing, forced me into a hesitant self landing, fully lit. But I found a small hill for a wind shadow and made it happen, Without having to go to the safety to land in the water. Just me and Vern. The photo is from the bluff by the shitter at the end of the road at Middle Inlet. That's Vern down there packing up. About a 1/4 mile hike in from the Highway to the launch. Stringtown launch is middle right of the photo, behind the island.

Fall videos

Video from Utah Lake https://vimeo.com/51349286 and video from Pineview https://vimeo.com/51494442

68--PV 17M

Quite a few guests that almost got skunked. But it finally came up for a session. 8 kiters at PV. The most I've ever seen there. Glad to have had the Cruise board at first. Later there was enough for a quickie on the twin.

67--17 PV

After so many good days, The gusty holy Pineview we know came back.

66--PV 11M

Like a broken record, It was good again today. Powered rides all day long. This is the same kind of wind we travel to Texas in Oct for. Staycation this Oct instead.

65-- PV 11M

Pineview has been giving up more goods this fall than I can remember.
Vern started on 17M then went to 12, Kyle on 13M
Some holes made it interesting, but still great PV wind.
I rode the directional first then went to twin tip.

Nailed every forward I did (1) ha

64--ULSSB 11M

My motto, rig bigger, and be extatic if I have to rig down (Jon)

Would have liked to have been on a 10M but it stayed 11M

except for during the mid day lull, when it was time for a break anyway.

Tested Vern's Reo, it would be an essential kite to own if all you rode were waves.

I like the swell at South Sandy, and the beach, and the sand, and the kiters.

I took lots of video ot other kiters, I'll start editing and get it up soon.

63--PV 17M

Went up alone to Middle Inlet, saw kites up at Stringtown and headed there to see an old Naish C in the air.
I rigged and worked for rides on the twin, so I switched and went on the Cruise LTD.
I rode way up into the wind then noticed my kite was getting soft. I zoomed back to the beach and the end of the day. The pin hole was in a hard place to fix, but it's now holding air again.

62--PV 17M

Yesterday I took to much gear in, and was weighted down.
Today I committed to one kite and one directional.
The twin tip is always is in the bag, it is needed for structural support of the bag.
The 11M would have been fine, if I had chose it.
I started out on Vern's surfboard, it's nice. Then I went out on my Cruise board.
I don't want to call it a Race board, The straps are located in such a bad position that I can't find the sweet spot. If I get close to the loose feel spot to go really fast, I feel like I will explode because it is so unbalanced. But it is really fun to cruise all over the lake, and is great for light wind, and jibe practice. I went up to the point past Stringtown with ease. Then I rode the twin tip and worked on forward rolls. Got every one I tried, except the one that my foot came out of the strap. Great to kite Pineview until exhausted, instead of being forced to stop because of dying wind.

61--PV 11M

Just me and Doug. I rode the 2010 North race LTD most of the day.
Fun for light winds, and to be able to ride a smaller kite.
It is a workout on the legs, more than any other type of kiteboard.

60--PV 17M

Pineview was as good as it gets.
I didn't pack my 11M, or I would have rigged it.
We rigged at Middle Inlet.
I rode my surfboard up to lower Stringtown,
and surfed the mini swell back down.
Made all but 1 turn on the surfboard, and didn't just ride toe side all day.
Then switched to the twin tip and worked on forwards with great success, finally.
This is why we go to PV!

Gorge video

https://vimeo.com/49432037

59--ULSSB 11M

So nice to be powered at South Sandy, So nice to kite until I'm exhausted, instead of quitting because of lack of wind. Surfboard and swell for hours. Super session. Tangled with Billy, Fought of dogs and Vern on the beach, ha. Had photos taken. Great times.

58--17M PV

Probably not a counter, But I did end up, up wind

photos ULSSB

The raceboard on the beach

57-17M ULSSB

The first day this year at Utah Lake, bonus that it was at South Sandy. Lots of beach with the lower water. It didn't blow as strong as I expected. I started with the surfboard, Then the virgin ride on the used Race board I bought from Kenny this spring. I'm not hooked , but it was a good change up. I need to try to get the straps in a balanced position before I can get some speed. It has more of the feel of a windsurf board. I'm gonna be stiff in the morning, ha. The raceboard on the beach

56--Rufus 8M

beware of tequila posts,ha Most excellent bad forecast. No wind forecast turned into 8M swell bliss! Best gorge day this year. ?Fuckna great... Peach beach and egg muffins.

55--Sand Bar 11M

Light forecast sent us to the corridor.
Nice session in town.
We headed to upper wells island.
Always the center of it all, and good to be back
Better water texture this year than Rufus, it seams.
Why don't I always take my surf board?
I seem to wish I was on it when when im not,
When I'm in the gorge..
Camping at Vento. Kitequila.

54-Rufus 11M

Afternoon session was not as forecasted.
Fun rides but expected stronger wind and smaller kites.
Pretty smooth big (for gorge) kite wind.
Fronts passing by make for unpredictable forecasts.

53-- PV 17

Best day at Stringtown this year. Rode all over the place, even over to Cemetery Point. First hour very powered, then a lull, then it came back, but weaker for the second hour. It'll be nice when the boats go away this fall. Huge rigging area now, even kinda sandy.

52--PV 17M

More beach is showing daily. Stringtown is a nice beach that put us into the best wind PV has to offer. Side shore conditions are a treat also.

Video from Oregon Coast

Vern, Kyle and Mark were along for the ride. Small waves for the downwinders, bigger waves at Manzanita. So much fun!

51--Pineview 17M

It's been years since we have had low enough water to be able to kite at Stringtown at PV. Not the best wind, and choppy from all the boats. Still fun, and so close to home. Jim joined Doug and I, and he went from point A to point A. He is Getting better all the time. Even with the crowds, most don't know our little secret spots access. We had that beach all to our self.

50--11M Rufus

After a great run at the coast,
It was back to the gorge.
The sand bar was out because of craziness.
Nice, blowdryer 11M at Rufus
Until it turned north.

49--Manzanita 12M

Point sailing at its best.
Biggest waves I've ever been in, again.
Happy birthday to me!
What a great way to get old!

48--12M Shipwreck

So days like this are why I love kiting,
And now that im doing it on a surfboard
I'm beside myself on the satisfaction level.
2 downwinders and the best waves I've ever had.
Footage to be edited and added later.

47--12M Shipwreck

It was pretty light, but still a good downwinder.
Super to get back in the wave.
But hard to ride any with out power in the kite.
Bouy 9 for fish & chips (Jon)

46--10M, 8M Rufus

The forecast looked like a blowout in the afternoon
So we rode lighter wind early and then a great 8M session
Before the devil winds hit.
Thought we were gonna get a 6M session
But it looked really miserable.
So we had tequila!

45-Rufus 11M

All there is to say is "blowdryer 11M,
And good Herradura!
And, RV at the rock pile.

44--Rufus 6M

In the gorge with Mark,
Vern and Doug are here with family.
Bob also arrived and we all rode for a short time in Rufus devil wins.
Then started Kitequila pretty early at the beach in the RV.
Fun to ride the surfboard with the little Reo.

Maui Video edit

Quick clips and snapshots from our trip to Maui.
4 minutes you'll never get back, ha

43--SI 11M

We thought we may get skunked today,
Probably could have rode Zephyr.
But around 4:30 we rigged 11 and rode a few hours.

42--SI 11M 8M

We went into town to dump and refill.
We parked in a new spot, closer to rigging area.
When we got back.
We Kited the first session at 2:00
We wanted to kite the late session next.
It ramped up to an unexpected 8M! Around 6:30
The flood tide was making for some extra fun swell.
I rode some swell from way up wind to by the launch.
Then back up again.
Best day on the surfboard in a long time.
I'm ready for some gorge swell, or coastal goodness.

41--SI 13C4 11M

We took turns on Vern's 13m
17m would have been better.
We waited for it to get good before we did another session.
It was late afternoon, but it was nice.

40--SI 11M, 10M

Kitequila is full on!
Kite till ya puke
Drink till ya puke
Eat Verns dinner, puke, ha.
The afternoon surf swell was worth the trip.

39--Sherman Island 10M

Vern and I arrived in time to get a good warm-up evening session.
Cloudy and cooler than any other time I've been here.
The wind was a little up and down because of the weather.
But the long-range forecast is looking good.

38--Willard 10M

We thought the westerly component and not as high winds in the forecast looked like Willard could be good. Vern and I rode 10's and Doug was on his 11. It would blow for a while, then lighten up. Once it turned mostly north, the lulls weren't worth it anymore.

37--Rush 8M

Another after work to sunset fun session. No wind when I arrived but almost instantly went to 8M. The weeds got me twice, can't crash and let the lines slack and submerge anymore. They are lurking just below the surface, fuckers! Drug my kite to shore to clean the weeds/moss off my lines 2 times. Other than that it was excellent flat water kiting.

36-Rush 6M

Great after work session. Rode from 6 till almost 8. Surfboard and twin.

Cazadores and POG

I don't usually drink alone, This small bottle lasted me all week.

35--Maui 10M

The 10M seemed like a stroll in the park, very relaxing. Great way to end the trip. We took a helicopter ride to the Island of Moloka'i in the AM before kiting. S

uper spectacular views of 3000' cliffs with waterfalls to the ocean.

34--Maui 8M, 10M

Finally a lighter wind day. But I mucked it up. 8M was a lot of work just keeping upwind, so I rigged 10M, just as it picked up. I had a hand full, but got some big airs. Then to make things worse, (if kiting in Maui could have any negatives) I mounted my line mount camera to the 8M, backwards or upside down. Then when I mounted it correctly on the 10M, it was off for the whole ride. WTF! But at least my wife got some photos.

33-Maui 6M

I'm getting my high wind legs under me now. The day off yesterday helped. Many hours and lots of fun today. The Reo does jump, but just like a wave ride, it floats way down wind in the jump, wierd, but fun. Sure wish I had a friend here to kite with, not as much fun to kite somewhat alone, in a crowd of unknown kiters.

32--Maui 8M

Yesterday wore me down on the surfboard. A shorter session was the call. But very lit on the 8M wasn't exactly the correct call. I only rode for hour and half, then it was to much. We wanted to check out some new accommodations in Haiku and Makawao for the next trip here. We liked this one. http://www.mauivacationhideaway.com/vacation_rental_apartment.htm It was raining most of the time we were checking places out, nice and cool drizzle.

31--Maui 6M

I rented a Naish 5'10' global today, it worked me hard in the choppy stuff. I think it's a good board, I'd have to compare side to side. The new Fish is a boat, 5" wider than mine. The Global is closer in shape than the new fish. I only found a few small wind swell wave to ride, fun to connect some turns. Rode a long time to get my money's worth. I may just stay with my Jimmy unless there is a call for some waves. Wish you were here! (all of you blog recipients)

30--Maui 8M

I was glad the wind was down a notch so I could ride my second newest kite. The 8M C4 was a blast to ride powered on the twin tip. Taken some video (ha, inside joke (Peter)), but I need my Mac to edit. I don't have and editor on this PC. Video will have to wait until I get home. Some video of turtles, one I didn't see until I was boosting and looking around and I see a turtle floating in front of me. Still only 1 foot wind swell, but I booked a surfboard for tomorrow. At the end of 2 hour session, it picked up and I had to come in. OK because we had a hike planned. But we missed the shuttle that would take us up and we hike down. We'll do it some other day. We did a coastal trail instead. Saturday Swap Meet tomorrow, one of our favorite things. Fresh local produce, flowers, souvenirs and decorations, all before kite beach opens. Then Paia Fish Market after kiting.

29--Maui 6M

First day out on my new 6M REO. It is an excellent gusty wind kite. I can tell it is made for surf. I did boost some, but it isn't a floaty type of jumping kite, but not bad either. I rode my Jimmy Lewis today, but I can't wait to ride it with a surfboard. I found a good price on kite surfboard rentals. I'll probably rent one for the week. There is not any real waves, and just small wind swell. The forecast looks very strong for a long time, hope I get to ride my 8M some also. I shipped my board to Jon McCabe, he offered to take me to a secret summertime wave spot, that could be fun!

28--Rush 11M

Jon and Kenny were there when I got there. Once again it was good, then not good. Rip and jump, then slog and wait. Got a tear in my kite that ended my day, 2 foot tear along the middle strut. pretty minor, I'll just use my old 11M for now.

27--Rush 11M

4 out of 5 days kiting. Worked today and then got the afternoons session. Wish it was that way all the time. Once again, kinda westerly that makes it kinda gusty. At times a 10m would have been nice.

26--Rush 17M

It was good wind today, Just not quite good enough to rig down. We thought about it once, even came in to rig 11 But the lulls convinced us to stay on the 17 13M could have been better today.

25-- 17M Rush

Just like the old days learning. Very nice weather to hang out at the beach. When the wind would come up, we would get a few rides. If it died, we would hang out and wait for the next puff.

24--17M Rush

Pretty fun day with Vern there also. Quite smooth wind,and nice power to do anything I wanted to without the punchy BS. Switched back and forth between surfboard and twin tip.

23--DC 17M

Pretty good day, while it lasted. Every time it clocked a little southerly we all had to race in because of the lulls. Probably could have got more, but it got old, riding then waiting. Should feel lucky there was no floating on my part. I made it back every time a lull came through.

22--Skyline 17M

The new snow was very nice.
The visibility was not.
There was lightning around,
I could feel the static electricity between my hands and the bar.
We would stop kiting when we heard thunder and let it pass by.
As we were driving away, it finally cleared off.

21--Rush 11M

Vern and I basically had a lunch time session.
Shorter than we wanted, and very easterly until it died.
It switched to light southwest as we were driving off at 1:00.

20--Rush 8M

I'm totally exhausted from Skyline yesterday,
I didn't get home until 12:30.
But Rush was looking like good 8M early.
With a new kite, I just gotta go.
I rode the surfboard with the new kite,
Great couple of hours of fun.

19-Skyline 17M,11M,8M

Matt and I cleaned and rebuilt the clutches on our sleds
and we wanted to get out just in case they need to go to storage.
Skyline has easy late season access to the snow.
When we got to the parking lot at 10:00, it was windy.
We rigged big and kited till almost 1:00.
After lunch, we took the sleds for a ride around the cabins
then loaded the kites and rigged on the far, southwest ridge.
We rode 11's and 12's as the wind kept building close to sunset.
I ripped down to the van for my new 8M C4 to ride as the sun was setting.
What a fast kite, watch the video, you'll see.

17-18--Rush 11M, 10M

Good weekend at Rush.
It's seems to be anyone's guess when the smoothness will hit.
Saturday the early session was good, but the afternoon was so much better.
Sunday was stronger with a Flying Saucer looking cloud to the south.
Every once in a while a little funnel would drop out of it
then a few minutes later it would NUKE.
That went on for almost an hour.
After it finally broke up, it smoothed out nicely.
Vern and I just rode that session because it started the mid day lull.
It probably came up good again in the afternoon, like it has been doing.
But My back hurts and needs a rest.

16--Rush 7M

2 shorter sessions today.
Blown off the water both times.
It's time for a new smaller kite.
Windsurfers ruled Rush today.
Doug rode my HiTech 8' glass board and OP'd 4.0

15--Rush 10M

Vern and I met Jon for the early AM session.
It was chilly, it was as easterly as I can remember.
Pretty good wind that finally blew me off my 10M.
That is about the time Doug arrived.
I took Vern's 8M C4 out in a very gusty, punchy session.
He went out on his 6M.
The third session was the money sess. 10M
Unusual that the 1:30 to 4:00 rides would be the smoothest wind of the day.
We all rode to the south end and found some butter smooth water to play in.

14--Rush 17m

There was a good sized snow storm in the Rush valley last week and The remnants were still around.
We had to load into Doug's rig for clearance, the ruts were full of snow and mud.
Very unlikely I could have kept my van out of the ruts and would have got high centered.
It was windy when we arrived and it got lighter and lighter.
Vern rigged 8, Doug 9. The they riged and went out on11's.
by the time I found a leak in my 11, it was time to just rig my 17.
Funn to be back on the water. Sure didn't last.
Tuesday looks much better.
It was muddy getting out, but no problem.

12-13 Skyline 11M 17M

Matt and I planned on Kitequila RV overnighter at Strawbs.
Just before heading east from Matts,
we decided more powder was very possible and turned South for Skyline.
It was a total whiteout when we arrived,
The clouds slowly thinned and we kited in the deepest powder of the season with mildly strong winds to get us around.
I usually don't look, but My horoscope said "beware inflicting a small injury that may slow you down"
Made it through the day fine, it was the Tequila that inflicted the injury.
We over did it.
Pretty slow getting moving Saturday.
The snow had set up some overnight, but it was still primo.
The first experiment with the line mount for the POV camera.
The snow seemed deeper than the video looks,
I guess the big 170 Never Summer snowboard helped stay on top.

Sled POV 2/18

First real edit on the POV
Not a pro in any sense.

There was not deep powder
but what a scenic area on the Skyline ridge.

http://vimeo.com/37572772

11-Viva Naughton 17m

We knew the snow would be sketchy , and it was.
Reminded me a lot of days at Strawberry when there is not enough snow
Sage brush air pockets and some bumpy drifts behind them.
But the area is also huge, with rolling hills and and scenic like Strawberry.
Bet last year was great with all the snow.
The the snow got softer and the wind got lighter as the day went on,
we had to walk back the last little bit
but it was on a sled trail, so pretty easy.
We'll go back, but we want stronger wind and better snow conditions.

the link below is the location.
http://tinyurl.com/7evyb4u

10--17M Skyline

Late post because I was working on a POV video of the day that I wanted to post.
I can't find the time to edit, I'm installing a Battery meter in the RV instead.
We arose at sunrise in the RV in the parking lot to wind.
The snow set up overnight and then the wind got light.
We took off for a killer sled ride to Potters Canyon.
Amazing country and spectacular views when we were at the top.

9--Skyline 17m

The Superfly non event was happening,
all that meant was the NAST guys were filming each other.
They were clustered together in front of cameras.
OK with me, more powder and no kiters on the west ridge.
Matt and I camped in the RV and had a nice Kitequila event of our own.
I rode the Skis on the sunset session, felt like a dork on them.
Maybe I should hit the resort on the new shaped ski for a day.
Maybe I should shit can them....
But it was a great sunset session either way,
it was dark by the time we got back to the RV.

6-7-8--Skyline 17M

Snowkite Masters
Matt and I took the RV and sleds to Skyline.
Friday, kited all day, party at the Triangle Bar and RV camp at Schenk's
Saturday, more kiting until the wind died, then camped in the parking lot.
Full moon was out and we were hoping to moon kite, but no wind.
Sunday was early and light, fresh soft snow was still to be found.
Lots of out of town friends, lots of miles kited.
Good time.
I even put the skis on, idunno?

6-- sled above Viva Naughton

The hills above Viva Naughton lool like a snowkiting meca,
if there was just more snow.
We sledded to the top for a view.
Cool place.

5--Bondurant 17M

2 full days here, and not even kiting in the same area 2wice.

4--Bondurant 17M

Matt and I drove to Irv's Thursday night for the first cold overnighter in the RV.
Irv's cabin door was frozen shut, so the shots were in the RV.
Friday AM we were off to Wyoming to kite.
Bondo is like Strawberry on steroids. HUGE
The hill to the right in the photo is the big gliding hill.
We camped on the road by the kite spot -12ish.
Cold, but we survived.

3--Lake Creek 11M

Both Matt and I felt guilty for leaving work
since we are leaving for Jackson Hole Thursday.
That guilt passed fast once we were back at the kite spot
at the top of Lake Creek.
Probably my favorite place but the wind could have been stronger and longer.
Avy forecasters said it could blow in the 30's on top
and it was windy in the parking lot.
I decided to leave the bug kite and just take the 11M.
As sweet as it was to be back there kiting, it didn't last long.
Good news is that the sledding we did for the rest of the afternoon was
some of the best ever.

2--11M Skyline

Finally some pow to snowkite in.
Still early season conditions,
but nice to get out.
Some very fun hovering jumps with kiteloop out.
What a fun feeling.
Second ride on my Never Summer Legacy board.
Rode for hours, with no quad burn.
that also translates to supurb board smothness.
Normally it take me a month to get the quads to not burn.

1--Rush 9M, 5M

Reports from Rush were coming in that it was frozen and a little snow on top.
I thought it would be a goodwcall for Jim to get a taste of the winter kiting.
When we got there it was a Warm 54 degrees and strong winds.
Jim put up his 8M and I put up the 9m foil.
We were both overpowered, mainly because of the fast surface and no edge.
We then took turns on my 5M frenzy.
If I lived in the midwest and only had this type of winter kiting as the only option,
I be pretty bummed.

5--Monte Sled

Matt and I went with Bob for a very unexpectedly great day on the sled.
Bob knows Monte so good that we found powder stashes
even though it has not snowed for weeks.
We found a ridge that looks good for south winds to try to snowkite someday.
Matt rode my old sled to get the bugs out after winter and changing the front end out.
It runs really strong and the new narrow front end worked like a champ in the powder.
It feels like it needs dampening in the rear end. Time for a new shock.
That sled will be great for me to learn how to wrench on,
if I fuck it up I still have my XP and wont be out a ride.
And I need to put the man cave to good use!