I got to the lot and had suggestions to rig my 11 and then my 14. So I went with the 14. It didn't feel super strong in the lot. So I set up and took off. Quickly, I realized that the 14 was more than just the wrong choice - the wind was getting downright sketchy. I looked for a few wind shadows because I didn't want to re-rig, but the gusts were less than fun with that much material in the air. On smoother snow I might have been OK, but not so much today. By 3 pm some of the lulls would make the kite drop and then power up pretty erratically. My ankle is getting better, but the sagebrush and wind-scalloped snow were freaking me out a bit.
So I rigged my 11 and had a much better time jumping sagebrush in the flats. The wind continued to get stronger during the gusts and I was a happy camper. I got picked up a few times on the 11 and was
really happy to not have the 14 anymore. Everyone left at about four, and I thought I was the only one out there until about 5 when Jim H and I rolled up to the lot just before the light went away.
It was certainly a worthwhile trip. The snow in my opinion is marginal - maybe 6/10 - mostly due to the scalloping and snowsnake/sagebrush. But if its windy, I'll be there tomorrow!
Posted: Wed Dec 23, 2009 6:05 pm