Utah Windriders Association

Got there at 1:30 kited till 3:30. South wind about 20mph when I arrived. Jim Hornbeck was already there and he said his 12 was a little too much. The wind was gusty and increasing. Mesowest said about 30mph @ 4:00. The snow was superb. This was one of those days that you dream about. At one point there were 5 of us charging around-Jim, Andy and a student, myself and an unidentified kiter on teles. I think I recognized him as Ken Lucas from previous kite festivals. Pretty good day considering the point forecast predicted about 10mph.

If by "student" you mean a junkie looking for a fix, then that was me. I wish Best had a rent to own program. That way I might be able to sneak a kite into the quiver with out setting off any flags in the checkbook, if you know what I mean. However, with the of help my dealer, I mean The best kite instructor, Andy, I learned a few things today.

1- You can't drive up to Hidden Lake Lodge in a front wheel drive car without chains or a much dryer road. And trying to do a three point turn while sliding backwards is kind of exciting.
2- It's better to change the stance on your snowboard in a warm sheltered place than on the windy hill with no gloves on because you keep dropping the stupid screws.
3- Scraping an inflated kite across the edges of your snowboard can pop the kite.
4- Being to excited to get on the snow and not inflating the kite properly makes it fly funny but it will still drag you around.
5- You can keep kiting as long as both legs don't cramp up at the same time.
6- It is possible to drown while kiting on the top of a snow covered mountain. If you are laying on your camelback with your head below your feet and you try to take a drink. It does help you forget about the leg cramps for a minute while you try to drain the water out of your sinuses.
7- Looping the kite while laying on your back is not the easiest way to climb a hill.
8- If someone is going to be nice enough to catch your kite try not to make them posthole over to you to do it. Sorry man.
9- While winding the lines of a kite make sure that you don't pull whatever is holding the kite on the ground off of the kite.
10- When the kite you are winding the lines up on slides across the ground, flips over and takes off, you're screwed.
11- It's way better to have a little to much than not enough.
12- Andy Bolt is the most patient, easy going, even tempered person that I have ever met. I will refer him to anyone I know that wants to take a lesson. Whatever they pay you Andy it's not enough. Thanks again for all your help and a great time.

I totally agree with Augie, this was one of those days that you dream about.

Fred
@ Pow Mow on a Best Kahoona 9.5 fully powered from 1:30-4ish.

Best day for pow turns untracked cream. good wind let us go very deep on the hill. great fun.