Friday, March 2, 2012

Winter Recap: Snowkiting, Oahu, and More....

So, first things first. I am sorry for the delay updating my blog.  I would like to say that it was because I wasn't getting any riding in...but that isn't true.  I have just been super busy traveling for both leisure and for business...and yes, I have had way more opportunities to ride this winter compared to last year.

Let's get right down to business then.
After a long cold Nov and Dec months with little to no riding, the month of Jan delivered by allowing me to score my first snowkite session in Snoqualmie Pass at Lake Skeechlus.

Here is a wind sensor reading for the day:
And yes, my friend Dan, aka Tuna and I were there riding from 11am to 2pm or so...right through the thick of it!  We had a ton of fun out there. When we got there, Tuna and I arrived to see some of the usual suspects just tearing down and leaving. They were on 6 and 7 meter kites....and the conditions were solid 7m conditions.

But as usual, I showed up somewhere with the wrong kite. No blaming it on Devon this time.....instead I blame it on Tuna!

Anyways, the two of us made the best of being way overpowered in blizzard-like conditions using our 10m kites, which were the smallest we brought with us. 
Duh...when will I learn to always, always bring all the kites I have when I go riding just to be sure I got the right size for the current conditions.

Like I said, we had a blast, other than being lit at times, the snow was deep and wind was ripping. It was very cold with near 20-30 ft visibility at times.  After a 200m walk in waist deep snow, yes we wore snowshoes, I was very tired but putting up a 10m in 7m conditions gets the blood pumping.

Anyways, enjoy the pics....

Pumping up...and it is cold out!!!!
surf mount shot


I am actually about 10 ft off the ground in this pic

Tuna rawks a tail press on a stump... legit!

Stringy line mount pic






Every so often Tuna entertains by charging through shrubs and bushes...


Stay tuned!  I hope to have an Oahu trip and Snowkite Soldier update posted real soon....