4-19, Starwberry CC, big kite!

[Leo Chan]

I should have gone to Skyline! The snow condition at Strawberry is no longer in shape for riding, IMHO. At CC west, there is about 4 inches of slush on top of some water. It was so heavy and slushy, it took a lot of effort just to move around. It is not worth it. Anyway, after an hour or so at CC, I decided to leave. Couple of kites out at the River when I left.

[bob allen]

Got to the river at around 11:00 with strong north wind which kind of died as I launched. Expectations for snow quality were low but to my relief it was mostly supportable. Wind was fickle as it switched from North to West to Nothing(repeat). Snow Pack at the River is holding up and the upper areas were smooth as could be. Some great rides and some big lulls, kind of like kiting the Gorge on a cloudy day. Worked my way to the West hills as the wind clocked around and was happy to be ripping so close to the road. Did not try to kite home as my faith in the wind was weak and the snow near the road was rotten. Tyler was the only other kiter I saw and he made to the road as well. At the end of my session, around three, the rigging area was still supportable. Seems like the river could still produce some good morning to mid-day sessions in the next week or so if some freezing occurs. There is an exposed creek in the middle of the area so be aware if the vis is not great. All and all a very fun day. In a perfect world Friday will be even better.

[JimSouthwick]

Sounds as though the river was the place to be; the wind at Coop was intermittent and feeble and the snow was horrible, a weak crust on top of slurpie:-(