3/8 Monte Cristo 10m Frenzy

[Augie]

I called Pow Mow Saturday morning and the liftie told me they had 20-25 mph winds and they just had 50mph gust. He also said it was socked in with poor visibility. I didn't want to mess with the marginal conditions, especially since I was teaching my neighbor for the first time. We drove past Pineview and it was calm, so we went to Monte Cristo. I opened the truck door and could already tell it was the right call. We could have launched right at the road but with a newbie I thought it best to do the short 1/4 mile hike to the top of the rise. The North wind was about 15mph and very steady. It was a little higher on the ridgetops. The snow surface was firm with about 2 -3 inches of new to smooth things out. I gave Chet a quick 1/2 hour lesson and turned him loose on the 7.5 Frenzy. The man was a natural and was even looping the kite at the end of the day. He probably only hard crashed the kite maybe 3 times all day. It was a very fast day and I'm sure I hit 40-45mph several times. We kited from 11:00 till 4:00 with only 1 short break and Chet still didn't want to leave. This was one of my best days at Monte this year!

[Sarah Ranes]

Hey Augie, would you mind giving some more detail, of getting to this spot. I'm new to SK and would like some more options, of places to get out. How far is it, where to park etc. Thanks SR

[Augie]

Go to Huntsville on the east side of Pineview. Take SR39 towards Monte Cristo. I think it is about 17 miles from the turnoff. The road is only plowed as far as Ant Flat in the winter and there is a snowmobile parking lot there. About 1/4 mile before you get to the lot (park at milemarker 36) you will see a large open area to your left (north). Park by the sign that points to Hardware ranch. This is normally a dirt road in the summer but it usually is groomed for snowmobiles in the winter. If it isn't groomed there is plenty of snowmobile traffic to keep it packed. Since the place you park is in a wind hole you may have to walk up the dirt road to the top of the rise for wind. The place is huge but doesn't always have wind. I like to go when Pow Mow is at least 20mph or socked in. You can expect winds about 5-8 mph less than Pow Mow. The point forecast map from NWS works well. Just look for the road east of Huntsville. You will see a reservoir(Causey) on the map. The road takes a big curve to the east and you will know you are checking the right spot if your elevation is 7590 feet. Get on it soon because with the low elevation the snow will be melting. There was still loads there Saturday though. The place has an immense variety of terrain-think Skyline. When the wind blows there it is just as good. Lots of hills and places to explore. I was tacking back and forth about 1 1/2 miles and didn't reach the end, we were just sticking close to the road.